Gracie Thomas earns top-five finish as NCTA Ranch Horse Team puts learning into practice
CURTIS, Neb. — For Gracie Thomas, success in the show arena comes alongside a commitment to showing up in the classroom.
The Agricultural Business major from Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska, earned fourth overall in the Collegiate Novice All-Around at the CSU Silver Jubilee, held October 16–18. Riding Who Whizbubadoe, Thomas finished among the top ten in all four disciplines against collegiate riders representing two-year and four-year institutions.
Thomas tied for second in reining, placed fourth in ranch pleasure, sixth in ranch trail and seventh in working cow horse. Individual classes included approximately 28–31 entries, with 27 competitors in the Collegiate Novice All-Around standings.
Her performance followed a strong showing at the CoWN-SH Fall Fest earlier in October, demonstrating consistency across consecutive collegiate ranch horse competitions.
Thomas has also maintained perfect attendance in her classes, balancing her academic responsibilities with horse preparation, team activities, travel and competition.
“This group has really stepped up,” said coach Joanna Hergenreder. “They consistently choose to show up—for me, for their horses and for each other. I’m proud of their work ethic and the responsibility they’ve taken on, whether they’re preparing to compete, caring for horses or helping a teammate. That commitment is what makes this team successful.”
Thomas’s results were part of a weekend of accomplishments and learning for the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Ranch Horse Team.
Ailey Marburger competed with Big Gem Surprise, known as Gem, an NCTA-owned horse. The pair finished 16th overall in the Collegiate Novice All-Around. Their participation highlights the opportunities college-owned horses provide for students to develop skills in competitive riding, horse management and applied horsemanship.
Team members Ellie Long, Jaidin Miller and Nicole Pollard each reached individual milestones during the competition, building their riding abilities, confidence and overall horsemanship.
The learning extended beyond class placings. Students prepared and cared for their horses, adapted to unfamiliar surroundings, worked through competition pressures and supported one another throughout the weekend. Those experiences required problem-solving, 1and the ability to adjust when circumstances changed.
Arabella Kallhoff helped keep the team organized by assisting riders and supporting competition logistics. Other team members and officers contributed to travel preparations, cared for NCTA horses remaining on campus and helped with unloading and horse care when the team returned.
Together, those contributions illustrate how the Ranch Horse Team serves as an extension of the classroom. Students put technical skills into practice while developing the communication, leadership and teamwork they will carry into their careers.
For Thomas and her teammates, NCTA’s “Learn by Doing” approach takes shape in the daily work of preparing a horse, stepping into the arena and helping the entire team succeed.
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis is a two-year institution within the University of Nebraska system, dedicated to developing the next generation of agricultural professionals and veterinary technicians. NCTA offers specialized programs in Animal Science, Agronomy, Ag Equipment, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Education, Equine Industry Management, and Veterinary Technology, all grounded in a practical, career-focused approach to learning.