OKLAHOMA CITY—Texas A&M junior Maggie Gratny (Leavenworth, Kan.) earned a tie for second at the 2009 National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Collegiate Reining Championship on Saturday.

Gratny, the ninth of 12 riders to compete, earned a score of 214.50 aboard Lena Doc Chex, owned by Alicia Deary of Weatherford. Gratny, who was a member of both the 2007 and 2009 Varsity Equestrian National Championship (VENC) western teams for Texas A&M, tied Alicia Daugherty of Texas Tech who was riding The Ultimate Magnum, owned by Jean Piper of Madisonville. Daugherty was the second place finisher in individual reining at the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Championships in May.

Lyndsey Jordan of Auburn captured the title after earning a score of 218. Oklahoma State’s Bri Parnell and Georgia’s Kate Stewart tied for fourth with scores of 212 apiece.

Gratny’s finish is the best in school history at the competition. Quincy Cahill (2002), Tonna Brooks (2006), and Maddi Williams (2007) formerly shared the best finish by an Aggie at the event with each taking third place.

Each rider was given a set amount of time in the warm-up pen before competing, a situation similar to VENC rules. Each of the 12 horses competing were briefly loaned to the competition by owners competing in the NRHA Derby which has been taking place all week.

“We’re very exited about how Maggie did today,” A&M head coach Tana McKay said. “She rode really, really well. This was a great competition and all of the horse donors were extremely helpful and did a great job of assisting us throughout the competition.”

Results:

1. Lyndsey Jordan, Auburn 218

2. Maggie Gratny, Texas A&M 214.50

Alicia Daugherty, Texas Tech, 214.50

4. Bri Parnell, Oklahoma State, 212

Kate Stewart, Georgia, 212

6. Katelyn Morehead, Findlay, 211.50

7. Nichole Grant, Georgia, 211

8. Helen Lauth, South Dakota State, 210.50

9. Keith Ceddia, Ohio State, 209

Chloe Gray, South Carolina, 209

11. Renae Burks, West Virginia, 207.5

12. Carrie von Uhlit, TCU, 206