OUR CHAMPIONS NEED AN
ARENA TO CALL HOME

by Interim Dean Jerry G. Schickedanz

The 1990s have been a remarkable time for horse enthusiasts at NMSU. Our equestrian team has focused attention on the great equine programs here by becoming the defending national champs in Western horsemanship for the second time in four years. But that is only part of a growing equine movement at the university.

For the second year in a row, NMSU sent competitors to the national collegiate rodeo finals, bringing back memories of our 1975 and 1976 national champion women's rodeo teams. Our horse judging team is making a comeback, with new enthusiasm and renewed support for a full range of judging teams.

Our polo team will be entering only its fourth year of existence, making it the only collegiate polo squad in the state since the New Mexico Military Institute gave up its stable. The advent of the polo team and the equestrian team's English hunt seat squad has given us a new look that complements our long-standing and obviously very strong Western tradition at NMSU. I look forward to the day when NMSU can bring home both Western and English trophies from the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association championship--the American Quarter Horse Association trophy for stock seat competition and the Miller trophy for hunt seat competition.

In some ways, we have been grooming some of the members of our teams for a long time. Jeb Stuart, who contributed points to the national championship, was a five-year veteran of 4-H horse programs. Several more 4-H alums are on our teams.

The opportunities they find when they come to NMSU allow students to discover new ways to enjoy their interests in horses. Cathy Cumber-worth, who competed in both Western and English horsemanship at the national championships, is combining a minor in horse production with a major in hotel, restaurant and tourism management. Who would be better positioned to manage a resort that has a stable of horses for tourist recreation?

Speaking of stables, we are developing a great stable of mentors for students of the equine arts and sciences at NMSU. Professor Joe Armstrong leads the academic programs and has helped NMSU develop a top quarter horse herd. He is known worldwide for his expertise. Larry Sanchez's work as an instructor and equestrian team coach speaks for itself. And we have great young mentors coming up through the ranks.

This all shows that NMSU is a home for excellence in equine instruction and competition. At a time when the university struggles to find its place on the sports scene, I would argue that we have found it.

What our excellence demands is a physical home befitting our place in the horse world. We have no all-weather arena where our equestrian, rodeo, judging and polo teams can practice and host competitions. Such an arena would be a tremendous asset to our teaching program in animal science and to the FFA and 4-H conferences and competitions we host. It need not be a gilded palace. A simple covered arena would be a boon to a program that is proving itself every day.

What it will take to make this happen is a group of people with a vision who can further develop the idea for a multipurpose arena and a plan of action to make it a reality. If you love horses or other animal programs and you love NMSU, we would like you to be part of this process. Call, write, fax or e-mail us at the College of Agriculture and Home Economics. You will find the numbers and addresses on our contents page.

Let's make a fitting home for our champions.

If you would like to view more information regarding horses, please visit our "Hoof beats at NMSU" site.