12-05-2025
MTSU Mondays: Stock Horse team wrangles national title; roots music fest May 31
Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University:
The Middle Tennessee State University stock horse team was crowned the 2025 National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association Division 2 National Champion team in April in Amarillo, Texas.
Students competed in the versatility ranch horse events, showcasing their talents in ranch reining, cow work, ranch trail and ranch riding. The Raider riders placed fifth overall in 2024.
The team consisted of Marci Leath, junior animal science/pre-vet major from Columbia, South Carolina; Kenlee West, senior horse major from Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Alyssa Davis, senior horse science major from Florence, Alabama; Keira Wagner, junior horse science major from Columbia; and Simone Allen, senior agribusiness major from Mount Juliet.
Riders who maintained high scores in all classes took home top individual honors among 153 other riders, including Davis, Allen, and West.
MTSU dominated with an impressive 117-point lead after two go-rounds of competition against 14 other Division 2 colleges nationwide, Rego said.
Among the competing teams were programs such as Oklahoma State University, which finished in second place, and Tarleton State University, claiming third.
'These ladies laid down their best every time they entered the pen,' said Rego, who coached the team along with graduate assistants JoBeth Scarlett and Kara Brown. 'They competed with the grit, grace and unity that defines what it means to be a Blue Raider.'
Rego added the team was gifted the use of a Champion Hughes Ranch Trailer for the year along with additional prizes from Kimes Ranch Jeans and High Cotton Promotions.
'This achievement wouldn't be possible without the support of our horse community, additional teammates, families and the overall mission of the MTSU Horse Science program to create well-rounded horsemen and women,' Rego said.
Prep those dancing shoes and listening ears as Middle Tennessee State University's WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 will once again host its annual music fest, 'Roots on the Rivers,' on Saturday, May 31.
The single-day, family-friendly music fundraising festival will be held at Two Rivers Mansion, 3130 McGavock Pike in Nashville. Free parking is available on-site. Doors open at noon, and performances begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m.
General admission tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at Children 16 and under can attend for free. WMOT members will receive a private ticketing link to purchase discounted tickets.
The rain-or-shine event includes live music, a beer garden, craft cocktails, food trucks and more. From noon to 2 p.m., a WMOT Family Picnic and meet-and-greet will be held.
The festival's music lineup includes Sam Bush, Aaron Lee Tashan, Liz Longley, Browyn Keith-Hynes and Noeline Hofmann. A special surprise guest will also take the stage.
Funds raised during this yearly celebration of American roots music help support WMOT's programming, operations and community events.
'My favorite part of Roots on the Rivers is how our roots community comes together in a beautiful setting and shares the joy of music,' said WMOT Executive Director Val Hoeppner. 'It's a little like a family reunion, where there's good friends, good food and drink, and we are all bound by music and artists we love.'
Attendees can also enjoy the Family String Band Circle and participate in the music and try various instruments.
The first Roots on the Rivers Music Festival was held in August 2022.
MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Stock Horse team wrangles national title; roots music fest May 31
