UW Riding Team Prepares for Major Event
The University of Wyoming Ranch Horse Team will send three riders, Emma McCabe, Bailey Ceder and Austin Wickerath, to compete in the 2026 Stock Horse of Texas (SHTX) and National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Collegiate Challenge. This competition is set for Feb. 22, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas.
The event takes place at the historic Will Rogers Coliseum during the NRCHA Kalpowar Celebration of Champions and brings together top collegiate ranch-horse athletes from across the country to compete in reining and cow-work classes.
McCabe, Ceder and Wickerath will each compete in one of the three divisions: the Open/Non-Pro, Limited/Intermediate Non-Pro, and Novice divisions. These will determine both individual and team standings.
“I know how well my horse and I can perform, and I hope we can show that while in the Will Rogers Coliseum,” Austin Wickerath, UW Ranch Horse Team member, said.
The Collegiate Challenge tests each rider’s versatility, horsemanship, and cattle-handling skills. Every competitor must complete two parts: The reining pattern, where riders guide their horses through a set pattern that includes spins, circles, lead changes and sliding stops. The cow-work, which takes place after the reining pattern. Riders call for a cow and show their control, strategy and timing. The specific tasks vary by division.
“A rider will enter the arena and first complete a reining pattern. Then the rider will call for a cow and complete the cow-work portion of the event,” National Reined Cowhorse Association stated in the rulebook.
Both phases count equally in the scoring system. Judges score the reining and cow-work classes separately, and points are given based on each rider’s placing compared to the total number of collegiate teams. These points are then added up to determine the individual division champions and the overall team winner.
Every maneuver, turn and cow-handling decision could affect the final standings. With differences across divisions, all UW riders will face unique challenges. Each division offers scoring opportunities that count equally toward the team’s total.
The Collegiate Challenge’s scoring system puts a lot of pressure on riders to be consistent. Since points are based on the number of teams, even one low placing can hurt a school’s ranking. Team standings are decided by adding up the points each school’s three riders earn in both reining and cow-work classes.
The SHTX–NRCHA Collegiate Challenge is one of the top collegiate ranch-horse events in the country. It takes place during the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, a major national show that attracts elite riders, trainers and breeders. The Collegiate Challenge gives student competitors the chance to compete in the same venue and atmosphere as professional-level horsemen.
The Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth is a historic arena that adds to the event’s prestige. It has hosted major western performance competitions for decades, making it a great stage for collegiate riders to showcase their skills.
In recent years, the University of Wyoming Ranch Horse Team has increased its presence at NIRSHA and SHTX organized regional and national events. Sending a full team to the Collegiate Challenge shows the program’s ongoing growth and commitment to developing skilled, versatile riders.
For McCabe, Ceder and Wickerath, the 2026 competition is a chance to test their skills against some of the best collegiate riders in the country. Their results will affect both their individual standings and the University of Wyoming’s national reputation in ranch-horse competition.
As the February 22 competition approaches, the UW team will work on refining their reining patterns, sharpening their cow-work timing and getting their horses ready for the pressure of a national event. The Collegiate Challenge’s focus on precision, horsemanship and strategic cattle handling will make it a tough test for all three riders.
“Getting to represent the University of Wyoming at a big show like this means a lot to me,” Emma McCabe, UW Ranch Horse Team member, said. “It really reflects all of the hours and hard work I have put into my horse and myself.”
The University of Wyoming’s participation highlights the program’s competitive ambition. The Collegiate Challenge will give McCabe, Ceder and Wickerath a chance to show their skill, resilience, and readiness to compete with the nation’s best.
