Oklahoma State University Athletics
Equestrian Signs Talented Group of Newcomers
June 30, 2006 | Cowgirl Equestrian
“We are very excited about the group of young ladies that will be joining us this fall,” said head coach Larry Sanchez. “With our change in format they should help increase our depth so we can continue to be nationally competitive.”
Koch, who attended Gretna High School, qualified for the AQHA Youth World Show in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, after qualifying for the AQHYA World Show, she earned a 4th place finish in Hunt Seat Equitation. In her home state of Nebraska, she was the All Around Champion in her Quarter Horse Youth Association. In 2005, after qualifying yet again for the Youth World Show, she finished 7th place in Hunt Seat Equitation. Ashley's talents continue on with impressive wins such as being a two-time finalist in Showmanship, finalist in Western Horsemanship and an 8th place finish in Hunt Seat Equitation at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress. She is also an AQHA Performance Champion.
Kuehn, a talented reiner, qualified for the AQHYA World Show in 2005. During 2002, she was the Palomino Horse Breeder's Youth Association 13 and Under World Champion. Along with riding, Kuehn was very active in her community and school. She was involved in volleyball, track, basketball, cheerleading, 4H, choir and band at Leyton High School. Randolph, an Oklahoma native, won the 2005 Oklahoma Horse and Rider award. She has earned top ten honors at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and top ten in the nation for the AQHYA. As a student of Bishop Kelly High School, Suzanne won 12 all-around titles.
Shobe was the Reserve World Champion in reining at the 2004 American Quarter Horse Youth World Championship Show. She will also bring an extensive experience and a show background with her to Oklahoma State's team. She was the 2003 MRHA Traveling Youth Trophy Champion and the 2003 and 2004 WRHA High Point Youth Saddle Champion. In 2004, she was the Affiliate Final Open and Non Pro Freestyle Qualifier. Shobe, who plans to major in Psychology, was also involved with the Washington Reining Horse Youth Association serving as the president and vice president. She will also be showing her horse at the AQHA Youth World Show in August.
Tipton earned a seventh place finish at the 2005 AQHYA World Championship Show in reining and has qualified for this year's championship show. Tipton was also the 2006 Reserve Champion at the American Quarter Horse Sun Circuit in youth reining. She was second in the nation in youth reining in 2005-06. At the 2005 Reining by the Bay, she earned a grand and reserve championship. Tipton, who recently graduated from Century High School, was the state's high point reiner from 2002-04.
The Hunt Seat team also signed a talented class headlined by transfer Devon Smithburg. Smithburg attended Louisiana State University last year and will have three years of eligibility left for the Cowgirls. In 2005, Smithburg represented Zone VII on the North American Young Rider Team and the Prix de States team. She was also the PHR Silver Stirrup Junior Jumper National Champion, Zone VII Junior Jumper Champion, Zone VII Reserve Champion High Point Jumper and placed 10th in the nation for High Point Jumper.
Smithburg, who graduated from Flower Mound High School, qualified for the USEF Equitation Finals and the Washington Medal Finals in 2001. In 2000, she qualified and competed in the National Pony Jumper Finals in Culpeper, Va.
