Published December 11, 2024
BY OLIVIA FORT
Having spent 14 years riding, Elizabeth Iandoli will join the West Texas A&M University Ranch Horse Team where she’ll compete in collegiate shows, demonstrating horsemanship skills that are required for working on a ranch.
Iandoli announced her decision to join the Division-I team on Sept. 6, following a visit to the university’s campus and an invitation from head coach Lance Baker, who has led the team to numerous individual and team championships and says he only invites students capable of competing at high levels.
Elizabeth Iandoli will be joined by her horse, Mister Boonbastic. (courtesy of ELIZABETH IANDOLI)
“After evaluating her videos and determining that she and her horse were at an appropriate skill level, we asked her to come for an official visit to interview with us,” Baker explains. “This meeting is to ensure that the student is a good ‘fit’ for the team.”
Collegiate ranch teams are very competitive, with only 16 schools from 10 states competing in the national championships. Team members are required to perform in ranch riding, ranch trail, rein work and cow work, demonstrating a diverse skill set.
“Ranch riding is my personal favorite and what I’m best at,” Iandoli says.
Ranch riding is where horse and rider are judged based on their ability to perform a pattern that includes navigating obstacles while handling changes in speed and direction.
As part of the team, the CHS senior will compete in a series of Stock Horse of Texas
shows, in which the team took home the Collegiate World Team Championship title in 2023. They also compete in other shows throughout the year, hosted by the National Reined Cow Horse Association and the National Intercollegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Association.
Joining the West Texas A&M University barn, Iandoli will compete in the upcoming fall season. (courtesy of ELIZABETH IANDOLI)
The Central Coast Ranch Horse Classic youth champion started riding equestrian in Massachusetts, but after moving to California when she was 8, she transitioned to Western. In April 2024, she began training with Sarah Clifford in Carmel Valley, who has trained numerous acclaimed and titled cowgirls and cowboys, as well as their horses.
“Sarah is a super positive trainer, which makes working with her enjoyable,” Iandoli shares. “She knows a lot about horses and training.”
The future West Texas athlete’s commitment to riding is evident in her routine, maintaining a rigorous training schedule and keeping up in school, all while competing in multiple shows across California and Arizona.
“It’s definitely tough,” Iandoli explains. “I’m often gone for weeks, and then I come back and I have a lot of work to make up.”
Iandoli looks forward to an active year at West Texas A&M University, filled with training, horse shows and bonding with her new teammates.
“Elizabeth is an outstanding young lady with a strong work ethic and desire to help our team achieve further success,” Baker says, “and we look forward to her being a Buff’.”
