CoSci major to compete on Aggie equestrian team beginning in fall

Avery Ellis, daughter of Debra Ellis, construction science lecturer, will attend Texas A&M this fall as a member of the Aggie Equestrian team and a construction science major.

A new member of Texas A&M’s equestrian team in fall 2014 will also be enrolled as a student in the university’s undergraduate construction science program.

Avery Ellis, a senior at Texas A&M Consolidated High School and daughter of Debra Ellis ‘90, construction science lecturer, and Keith Ellis ‘88, has signed a national letter of intent to compete on the Aggie reining squad and horsemanship team.

"Ellis will be a great addition to this recruiting class," said equestrian head coach Tana McKay. "She comes from a family rich in Aggie tradition and is a perfect fit for our team and the university."

The incoming student said Texas A&M had always been her first choice.

"I have worked my entire youth career with the goal of riding for a collegiate equestrian team," said Ellis. “I look forward to contributing to the team and starting my journey at Texas A&M."

Ellis, president-elect of the Texas Quarter Horse Youth Association, was selected for the prestigious American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Cup team and competed for Team USA in Germany last summer.  She has won all-around titles in numerous competitions, including the Scottsdale Sun Circuit, Redbud Spectacular, Texas Classic and the Reichert Celebration.

"Her international experience of representing Team USA at the World Cup garnered her some great riding experiences and will help her transition to collegiate equestrian,” said assistant coach Beth Bass.

Ellis is a fourth-generation Aggie. Her great grandfather, J.C. Davis, never received his degree as he was called to service during World War II.  Her grandfather, Ernie Davis, is a 1966 wildlife fisheries science graduate. Her mother earned a Bachelor of Science in Curriculum and Instruction degree and her father earned a [Bachelor of Science in Construction Science] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/undergraduate/) degree.

posted April 21, 2014