TCU Equestrian Welcomes Early Signees to the Class of 2023
11/28/2018 10:23:00 AM | Equestrian
TCU has nine sign National Letters of Intent
FORT WORTH, Texas – Nine talented newcomers will join the TCU equestrian program next year after signing National Letters of Intent in the early signing period, TCU Director of Equestrian Haley Schoolfield has announced.
"Coach Fiorentino and Coach Dukes, once again, put together an outstanding signing class," Schoolfield said. "This group of young women is well-rounded, academically strong and are all phenomenal competitors. We are certain each of them will have a positive impact on our team during their time at TCU."
The signing class features five student-athletes who will compete in Hunter Seat and four in the Western arena. Of the nine signees, five are native Texans while the Horned Frogs will also add two newcomers from California and one each from Ohio and Arizona.
2018 TCU EQUESTRIAN SIGNING CLASS
Kaitlyn Baker – Western – Dripping Springs, Texas
Makenzy Barnes – Hunter Seat – Rancho Murieta, Calif.
Elizabeth Clymer – Western – Warren, Texas
Alexis Cook – Western – Tipp City, Ohio
Olivia Parr – Hunter Seat – Marshall, Texas
Maddie Pritchett – Western – Fort Worth, Texas
Catherine Shurtleff – Hunter Seat – Flower Mound, Texas
Lanie Walkenbach – Hunter Seat – Paradise Valley, Calif.
Emily Williams – Hunter Seat – Newhall, Calif.
KAITLYN BAKER – WESTERN – DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS
Kaitlyn Baker has had great success in her prep career in the state of Texas, winning the State 4-H Reining and 4-H overall Reserve Stock Horse championships. Baker also was crowned the South Texas Reining Horse Association Saddle Series champion.
Outside the western arena, Baker is the Dripping Springs FFA President for 2018-19, and a member of the National Honor Society for which she is serving as secretary for 2018-19.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Baker:
"Kaitlyn is a very driven and determined individual. I feel that she will bring a lot to the team. We are so excited for her to join us next fall!"
MAKENZY BARNES – HUNTER SEAT – RANCHO MURIETA, CALIF.
The sister of freshman Hunter Seat rider Niki Barnes, Makenzy Barnes comes to Fort Worth by way of Rancho Murieta, Calif., and St. Francis Catholic High School.
Barnes boasts a strong resumé in 2018, placing eighth in the NorCal Junior Medal Finals. She was the winner of the NorCal Junior Qualifying class and qualified for CPHA Junior Final as well. She also competed in the CPHA Foundation Final, WCE Medal Final, USHJA Jumping Seat Medal and NorCal Medal Finals in addition to earning top placings in the junior equitation throughout the season.
Last year, Barnes placed ninth in the NorCal Junior Medal Finals, Reserve Champion in the NCEA West Coast Medal Final. She also qualified for all major West Coast medal finals. She has also earned third place in the NorCal Equitation Challenge, fifth place in the Junior Hunter Medal Finals and sixth place in the Horse and Hound Medal Finals.
Outside equestrian, Barnes is a St. Francis Ambassador, a tutor and has been recognized for her academic achievements in chemistry, as well as a member of the High Honor Roll throughout her high school career.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Barnes:
"Makenzy is a fantastic addition to the TCU Equestrian team. Her experience competing on a variety of horses will be valuable as she transitions to the collegiate format. Makenzy has been training with Kelly Van Vleck who has a very successful program and has trained notable alumni such as Kaitlin Perry and Jayme Omand. Makenzy has demonstrated the ability to adapt to new horses as she finished as the Reserve Champion at the 2017 NCEA West Coast Medal Finals. She is the younger sister of freshman, Niki Barnes, and we are so excited to have another member of the Barnes family join the program!"
ALEXIS COOK – WESTERN – TIPP CITY, OHIO
Currently in the top 5 for AQHYA Level 1 Hunt Seat Equitation Career, Alexis Cook's accolades include 2018 NOQHA Rookie Youth Horsemanship High Point, a Quarter Horse Congress top 5 Hunt Seat Equitation Level 1 and top 10 Hunter under Saddle, as well as the 2017 YEDA Diamond Elite Horsemanship Champion.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Cook:
"I am thrilled Alexis has chosen TCU. I feel she will be a huge asset to the team."
ELIZABETH CLYMER – WESTERN – WARREN, TEXAS
Also signing to compete for Coach Dukes in the Western arena is Elizabeth Clymer from Warren, Texas. Clymer was named the 2018 AQHYA Reserve World Champion in Level 2 Working Cow Horse and was also a top 10 National High School Rodeo Reined Cow Horse finalist this year. Both this year and last, Clymer was the Texas High School Reserve Champion for Working Cow Horse. She has multiple NRCHA top 15 championships to her resume and has been the NRCHYA Vice President and student officer since 2011.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Clymer:
"I am really looking forward to Elizabeth joining our team. She has had a very successful show career and we are excited about her being at TCU!"
OLIVIA PARR – HUNTER SEAT – MARSHALL, TEXAS
The first of the nine to sign, Olivia Parr has had a successful prep career. This year she competed at the zone 7 Junior Jumper Championships, winning a team gold and finishing fourth individually.
Last year, Parr competed successfully in the junior hunters and junior jumpers with major wins nationally.
In 2016, she competed at the South Florida Charity Horse Show where she won the M.J. Hulsey Jr. Memorial Trophy for the Grand Champion Junior Working Hunter.
Beyond the ring, Parr has volunteered with the Empty Stocking Fund and collected donations and toys for underprivileged children in the Marshall, TX community. She also enjoys singing and dancing and has performed at Equestrians Got Talent, Loyola College Prep's "Coffee House" Show, as well a benefit for Danny & Ron's Dog Rescue.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Parr:
"We are so excited to welcome Olivia to the TCU Equestrian family. She is a well-rounded and talented young lady who we believe will be a fantastic addition to our team. It is always exciting when we can add Texas equestriennes to the team and we look forward to her arrival in the fall."
MADDIE PRITCHETT – WESTERN – FORT WORTH, TEXAS
A hometown recruit, Maddie Pritchett has had an illustrious prep career, earning accolades year-in and year-out. She was the 2018 Las Vegas High Roller Classic intermediate non-pro champion, the 2017 Tulsa Reining Classic Green level 1 and 2 champion, the 2016 Southwest Reining Horse Association reserve champion and the2015 National Reining Horse Association Derby Green level 1 champion.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Pritchett:
"Maddie is not only a winner inside the arena but outside of it as well. We are excited for her to get on campus and join us next fall."
CATHERINE SHURTLEFF – HUNTER SEAT – FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS
This year, Catherine Shurtleff has been recognized as a USEF Equestrian Athlete Letter Award Winner. She has also won top ribbons in the Jr. Equitation and Jr. Hunters at Pin Oak, Fort Worth Southwest Classic, Great Southwest Equestrian Center Autumn Classic/Zone 7 Finals and qualified for Junior Hunter Finals.
Last season, Shurtleff won a USEF Equestrian Athlete Letter, in addition to qualifying and competing at the USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals where she earned top finishes. She also claimed top ribbons in the Jr. Hunters and Jr. Equitation at Showpark Summer Festival in Del Mar, Calif., the Spring Gathering in Katy, Texas, and the Pin Oak Horse Show, also in Katy, Texas. Shurtleff qualified and competed at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Md., as well as the Jr. Hunters and Taylor Harris Insurance Services Medal Finals and the 3'3" World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Jr. Hunter Challenge.
Outside the show ring, Catherine is a member of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and National English Honor Society, Catherine has also volunteered and served as a Lewisville ISD Kindness Ambassador, as well as working in the Christian Community Action Food Pantry.
A product of a family of Horned Frogs, Catherine's brother, Nathan, graduated from TCU and is currently an Officer in the United States Air Force. Her other brother, Andrew, is a diver for the TCU Swimming & Diving team.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Shurtleff:
"Catherine is another great Texas addition to the Frog family. She has bled purple for a long time and it's exciting to officially be able to welcome her to TCU. She is a very bright, dedicated and passionate young woman and we look forward to her joining us in the fall."
LANIE WALKENBACH – HUNTER SEAT – PARADISE VALLEY, ARIZ.
Lanie Walkenbach has had quite the year, earning best Junior Rider at the Menlo Horse Show, finishing second in the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship and earning the Smartpak Overall High Score of the Show at the Blenheim June Classic. She also qualified and competed at the USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals where she claimed top finishes in the over-fence classes and finished fourth-place overall. She also finished sixth in the West Coast Hunterdon Cup.
Walkenbach also qualified and competed at the Devon Horse Show (with top placings in the Junior Hunters and Equitation classes), the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Junior Hunters and Junior Equitation, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (with a second place finish in the Large Jr. Hunter stake class and competed in the USEF Medal Finals), the Washington International Horse Show in the Junior Hunters and Washington Equitation Final (finished with a win in the Large Junior Hunter over fence class), the National Horse Show in the Junior hunters (with a second place finish in the Large Junior Hunter stake class), and competed at the ASPCA Maclay Finals.
Outside the show ring, Walkenbach has made an impact in her community, starting Hearts, Heels, & Helmets, a non-profit organization that works to donate used riding apparel to children at the Hunkapi Farms therapeutic riding program in Scottsdale, Ariz.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Walkenbach:
"Lanie is an outstanding young lady and we are thrilled that she will be joining us in the fall. She has had a fantastic junior career and has experience competing and winning at the highest levels, as well as training with some of the top trainers on the west coast. We are excited that she signed to TCU and cannot wait for her arrival in August."
EMILY WILLIAMS – HUNTER SEAT – NEWHALL, CALIF.
Emily Williams has put together quite the resumé in 2018, winning the CPHA Junior Medal Finals and the USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals. She placed fourth in the West Coast Hunterdon Cup and was champion at the Oaks in the junior equitation, in addition to competing at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the USHJA Jumping Seat Medal Final where she finished in seventh-place overall.
Williams has also qualified and competed in the World Equitation on the Flat Championships (reserve champion), the World Champion Hunter Rider Junior Hunter Challenge, the USEF Medal Finals (with a top 25 finish) and the ASPCA Maclay Finals and WCE Finals.
The Newhall, Calif., native has ties to the program already as she is cousins with current western rider Emma Edwards and is a student at Laurel Springs School, the alma mater of Natalia DeVencenty and Elizabeth McKim.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Williams:
"Emily is a very talented and accomplished equestrienne. She has a phenomenal ability to adapt to any horse in any competitive environment and bring out the best in that horse and in herself. She has trained and worked with some fantastic professionals and that commitment and dedication shows in all areas. We are thrilled that Emily will be joining us and we look ahead to a bright and exciting future."
"Coach Fiorentino and Coach Dukes, once again, put together an outstanding signing class," Schoolfield said. "This group of young women is well-rounded, academically strong and are all phenomenal competitors. We are certain each of them will have a positive impact on our team during their time at TCU."
The signing class features five student-athletes who will compete in Hunter Seat and four in the Western arena. Of the nine signees, five are native Texans while the Horned Frogs will also add two newcomers from California and one each from Ohio and Arizona.
2018 TCU EQUESTRIAN SIGNING CLASS
Kaitlyn Baker – Western – Dripping Springs, Texas
Makenzy Barnes – Hunter Seat – Rancho Murieta, Calif.
Elizabeth Clymer – Western – Warren, Texas
Alexis Cook – Western – Tipp City, Ohio
Olivia Parr – Hunter Seat – Marshall, Texas
Maddie Pritchett – Western – Fort Worth, Texas
Catherine Shurtleff – Hunter Seat – Flower Mound, Texas
Lanie Walkenbach – Hunter Seat – Paradise Valley, Calif.
Emily Williams – Hunter Seat – Newhall, Calif.
KAITLYN BAKER – WESTERN – DRIPPING SPRINGS, TEXAS
Kaitlyn Baker has had great success in her prep career in the state of Texas, winning the State 4-H Reining and 4-H overall Reserve Stock Horse championships. Baker also was crowned the South Texas Reining Horse Association Saddle Series champion.
Outside the western arena, Baker is the Dripping Springs FFA President for 2018-19, and a member of the National Honor Society for which she is serving as secretary for 2018-19.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Baker:
"Kaitlyn is a very driven and determined individual. I feel that she will bring a lot to the team. We are so excited for her to join us next fall!"
MAKENZY BARNES – HUNTER SEAT – RANCHO MURIETA, CALIF.
The sister of freshman Hunter Seat rider Niki Barnes, Makenzy Barnes comes to Fort Worth by way of Rancho Murieta, Calif., and St. Francis Catholic High School.
Barnes boasts a strong resumé in 2018, placing eighth in the NorCal Junior Medal Finals. She was the winner of the NorCal Junior Qualifying class and qualified for CPHA Junior Final as well. She also competed in the CPHA Foundation Final, WCE Medal Final, USHJA Jumping Seat Medal and NorCal Medal Finals in addition to earning top placings in the junior equitation throughout the season.
Last year, Barnes placed ninth in the NorCal Junior Medal Finals, Reserve Champion in the NCEA West Coast Medal Final. She also qualified for all major West Coast medal finals. She has also earned third place in the NorCal Equitation Challenge, fifth place in the Junior Hunter Medal Finals and sixth place in the Horse and Hound Medal Finals.
Outside equestrian, Barnes is a St. Francis Ambassador, a tutor and has been recognized for her academic achievements in chemistry, as well as a member of the High Honor Roll throughout her high school career.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Barnes:
"Makenzy is a fantastic addition to the TCU Equestrian team. Her experience competing on a variety of horses will be valuable as she transitions to the collegiate format. Makenzy has been training with Kelly Van Vleck who has a very successful program and has trained notable alumni such as Kaitlin Perry and Jayme Omand. Makenzy has demonstrated the ability to adapt to new horses as she finished as the Reserve Champion at the 2017 NCEA West Coast Medal Finals. She is the younger sister of freshman, Niki Barnes, and we are so excited to have another member of the Barnes family join the program!"
ALEXIS COOK – WESTERN – TIPP CITY, OHIO
Currently in the top 5 for AQHYA Level 1 Hunt Seat Equitation Career, Alexis Cook's accolades include 2018 NOQHA Rookie Youth Horsemanship High Point, a Quarter Horse Congress top 5 Hunt Seat Equitation Level 1 and top 10 Hunter under Saddle, as well as the 2017 YEDA Diamond Elite Horsemanship Champion.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Cook:
"I am thrilled Alexis has chosen TCU. I feel she will be a huge asset to the team."
ELIZABETH CLYMER – WESTERN – WARREN, TEXAS
Also signing to compete for Coach Dukes in the Western arena is Elizabeth Clymer from Warren, Texas. Clymer was named the 2018 AQHYA Reserve World Champion in Level 2 Working Cow Horse and was also a top 10 National High School Rodeo Reined Cow Horse finalist this year. Both this year and last, Clymer was the Texas High School Reserve Champion for Working Cow Horse. She has multiple NRCHA top 15 championships to her resume and has been the NRCHYA Vice President and student officer since 2011.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Clymer:
"I am really looking forward to Elizabeth joining our team. She has had a very successful show career and we are excited about her being at TCU!"
OLIVIA PARR – HUNTER SEAT – MARSHALL, TEXAS
The first of the nine to sign, Olivia Parr has had a successful prep career. This year she competed at the zone 7 Junior Jumper Championships, winning a team gold and finishing fourth individually.
Last year, Parr competed successfully in the junior hunters and junior jumpers with major wins nationally.
In 2016, she competed at the South Florida Charity Horse Show where she won the M.J. Hulsey Jr. Memorial Trophy for the Grand Champion Junior Working Hunter.
Beyond the ring, Parr has volunteered with the Empty Stocking Fund and collected donations and toys for underprivileged children in the Marshall, TX community. She also enjoys singing and dancing and has performed at Equestrians Got Talent, Loyola College Prep's "Coffee House" Show, as well a benefit for Danny & Ron's Dog Rescue.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Parr:
"We are so excited to welcome Olivia to the TCU Equestrian family. She is a well-rounded and talented young lady who we believe will be a fantastic addition to our team. It is always exciting when we can add Texas equestriennes to the team and we look forward to her arrival in the fall."
MADDIE PRITCHETT – WESTERN – FORT WORTH, TEXAS
A hometown recruit, Maddie Pritchett has had an illustrious prep career, earning accolades year-in and year-out. She was the 2018 Las Vegas High Roller Classic intermediate non-pro champion, the 2017 Tulsa Reining Classic Green level 1 and 2 champion, the 2016 Southwest Reining Horse Association reserve champion and the2015 National Reining Horse Association Derby Green level 1 champion.
TCU Head Western Coach Melissa Dukes on Pritchett:
"Maddie is not only a winner inside the arena but outside of it as well. We are excited for her to get on campus and join us next fall."
CATHERINE SHURTLEFF – HUNTER SEAT – FLOWER MOUND, TEXAS
This year, Catherine Shurtleff has been recognized as a USEF Equestrian Athlete Letter Award Winner. She has also won top ribbons in the Jr. Equitation and Jr. Hunters at Pin Oak, Fort Worth Southwest Classic, Great Southwest Equestrian Center Autumn Classic/Zone 7 Finals and qualified for Junior Hunter Finals.
Last season, Shurtleff won a USEF Equestrian Athlete Letter, in addition to qualifying and competing at the USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals where she earned top finishes. She also claimed top ribbons in the Jr. Hunters and Jr. Equitation at Showpark Summer Festival in Del Mar, Calif., the Spring Gathering in Katy, Texas, and the Pin Oak Horse Show, also in Katy, Texas. Shurtleff qualified and competed at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Md., as well as the Jr. Hunters and Taylor Harris Insurance Services Medal Finals and the 3'3" World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) Jr. Hunter Challenge.
Outside the show ring, Catherine is a member of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and National English Honor Society, Catherine has also volunteered and served as a Lewisville ISD Kindness Ambassador, as well as working in the Christian Community Action Food Pantry.
A product of a family of Horned Frogs, Catherine's brother, Nathan, graduated from TCU and is currently an Officer in the United States Air Force. Her other brother, Andrew, is a diver for the TCU Swimming & Diving team.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Shurtleff:
"Catherine is another great Texas addition to the Frog family. She has bled purple for a long time and it's exciting to officially be able to welcome her to TCU. She is a very bright, dedicated and passionate young woman and we look forward to her joining us in the fall."
LANIE WALKENBACH – HUNTER SEAT – PARADISE VALLEY, ARIZ.
Lanie Walkenbach has had quite the year, earning best Junior Rider at the Menlo Horse Show, finishing second in the R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship and earning the Smartpak Overall High Score of the Show at the Blenheim June Classic. She also qualified and competed at the USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals where she claimed top finishes in the over-fence classes and finished fourth-place overall. She also finished sixth in the West Coast Hunterdon Cup.
Walkenbach also qualified and competed at the Devon Horse Show (with top placings in the Junior Hunters and Equitation classes), the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the Junior Hunters and Junior Equitation, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show (with a second place finish in the Large Jr. Hunter stake class and competed in the USEF Medal Finals), the Washington International Horse Show in the Junior Hunters and Washington Equitation Final (finished with a win in the Large Junior Hunter over fence class), the National Horse Show in the Junior hunters (with a second place finish in the Large Junior Hunter stake class), and competed at the ASPCA Maclay Finals.
Outside the show ring, Walkenbach has made an impact in her community, starting Hearts, Heels, & Helmets, a non-profit organization that works to donate used riding apparel to children at the Hunkapi Farms therapeutic riding program in Scottsdale, Ariz.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Walkenbach:
"Lanie is an outstanding young lady and we are thrilled that she will be joining us in the fall. She has had a fantastic junior career and has experience competing and winning at the highest levels, as well as training with some of the top trainers on the west coast. We are excited that she signed to TCU and cannot wait for her arrival in August."
EMILY WILLIAMS – HUNTER SEAT – NEWHALL, CALIF.
Emily Williams has put together quite the resumé in 2018, winning the CPHA Junior Medal Finals and the USEF West Coast Junior Hunter Finals. She placed fourth in the West Coast Hunterdon Cup and was champion at the Oaks in the junior equitation, in addition to competing at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in the USHJA Jumping Seat Medal Final where she finished in seventh-place overall.
Williams has also qualified and competed in the World Equitation on the Flat Championships (reserve champion), the World Champion Hunter Rider Junior Hunter Challenge, the USEF Medal Finals (with a top 25 finish) and the ASPCA Maclay Finals and WCE Finals.
The Newhall, Calif., native has ties to the program already as she is cousins with current western rider Emma Edwards and is a student at Laurel Springs School, the alma mater of Natalia DeVencenty and Elizabeth McKim.
TCU Head Hunter Seat Coach Logan Fiorentino on Williams:
"Emily is a very talented and accomplished equestrienne. She has a phenomenal ability to adapt to any horse in any competitive environment and bring out the best in that horse and in herself. She has trained and worked with some fantastic professionals and that commitment and dedication shows in all areas. We are thrilled that Emily will be joining us and we look ahead to a bright and exciting future."
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