NCTC IHSA Equestrian & Stock Horse Teams

09/01/2026

🐴 WEEK ONE RECAP! 🐴

We have officially survived the first week of classes! 🎉

The tack rooms received some serious post-summer cleaning, a war was fought with the dirt daubers (jury is still out on who actually won 😅), classes went great, and the horses are slowly but surely getting back into shape.

At this point, it’s a toss-up on who was more tired by the end of the week—the horses, the students, or Coach Hannah. 😂

Week one is in the books! Here’s to a great semester ahead! 🐴📚

09/01/2026

A fantastic and extremely helpful article on how to compete in collegiate equestrian events.

From equestrian teams and rodeo to equine science programs, there are plenty of ways to keep horses part of your college experience. 🎓 Explore AQHA’s resources for finding college horse programs and opportunities ➡️ aqha.com/-/college-horse-programs-equestrian-teams-rodeo-equine-science

📸 Shane Rux Photography

08/31/2026

📣 Calling all equine friends in the Gainesville area! 🐴

Several of our NCTC Equine Team members are looking for part-time jobs!

These students balance classes, team practices, and horse show schedules, so they may need a little flexibility—but they are **hardworking, dependable, and eager to gain more hands-on experience in the equine industry. 💪🐎

If you’re a trainer, barn owner, equine professional, or anyone who could use an extra set of hands, comment below! We’ll have our students reach out to you.

And please share to help us connect these students with some great opportunities!

08/20/2026

Thank you to the residential life team for a great and welcoming move-in day!

08/19/2026

Okay, maybe the electric bike wasn’t quite your thing… but we might have something else that catches your attention! 👀

As part of the NCTC Athletics Sporting Clay Fundraiser, we’re also raffling off a GUN! 🎟️

Purchase your raffle tickets for a chance to win while helping support NCTC Athletics and our student-athletes! 💙🦁

🎟️ Tickets can be purchased online:
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=4f5dc95b-9cab-44aa-9a01-9eb08dfaefb5&envId=p-tDK3eWxk-06XvwvWdtcFrg&zone=usa

Because hey… you can’t win if you don’t have a ticket! 😉

08/18/2026

🐴 Fellow equestrian friends… we KNOW how much walking comes with horse shows! 😂

Here’s your chance to give your feet a break! Purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Voltvogue BK200 Electric Bike while supporting NCTC Athletics! 🚲⚡

Just imagine cruising from the stalls to the arena instead of making that 47th trip on foot. 🙌

🎟️ Raffle tickets can be purchased online:
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=4f5dc95b-9cab-44aa-9a01-9eb08dfaefb5&envId=p-tDK3eWxk-06XvwvWdtcFrg&zone=usa

Get your tickets and help support our NCTC student-athletes! 💙🦁

08/17/2026

Ready… Aim… Support NCTC Athletics!

Join us for the NCTC Athletics Sporting Clay Fundraiser! Come enjoy a fun day of shooting while supporting our NCTC student-athletes and athletic programs.

Grab your team, get registered, and come have some fun with us! 💙🦁

Registration information is below! 👇 Feel free to message us with any questions.

07/21/2026

Meet Simon❤️

Hustlin N Hockeytown (2000 AQHA gelding) is 26 years young and is looking for his next forever home.

Simon joined the NCTC Equine Program in 2008, and for the past 18 years he has helped teach, inspire, and build the confidence of countless students. While his age may show a little these days, his heart certainly doesn't. Simon continued participating in horsemanship classes and IHSA practices through the end of the Spring 2026 semester, and he was recently a superstar during our Cub College program, proving once again why everyone falls in love with him.

Simon is truly a "been there, done that" kind of horse. He is kind, patient, and takes wonderful care of his riders. If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting him, you know exactly what a special soul he is.

As Simon begins this next chapter, we're looking for a loving home where he can enjoy retirement while still receiving all the attention he deserves. Simon is being rehomed as is.

A few things about Simon:
🐴 He enjoys the company of other horses and will need to go to a home with equine companions.
🐴 He is generally the low horse in the herd and gets along well with others.
🐴 He currently wears front shoes to help keep him comfortable.
🐴 He is an easy keeper overall but appreciates grain and soaked alfalfa cubes, as he no longer has many upper teeth.

It is impossible to measure the impact Simon has had on our program over the last 18 years. He has carried beginners through their first rides, helped students gain confidence, and quietly taught lessons that reached far beyond the saddle.

If you're looking for a gentle, deserving companion to love, Simon may be the perfect addition to your family. We promise he'll steal a place in your heart, just as he has done with generations of NCTC students.

If you are interested in providing Simon with the retirement home he deserves, please send us a message or email Coach Hannah at [email protected] for more information. All potential homes will be carefully vetted to ensure Simon is placed in the environment that best meets his needs.

07/12/2026

One of the best parts of our program is getting to serve our community alongside our students. We are having a wonderful time representing the NCTC Equine Program at the Herkey’s Champion Buyers Club Cash Scramble, where all proceeds benefit the youth exhibitors of the Cooke County Junior Livestock Show. We are grateful to be part of such a supportive agricultural community! 💜🌾🐴

07/08/2026

Now looking for his forever home... ❤️

Let us introduce you to HP Sure Chocolate, better known as Luke.

Luke is a 2014 AQHA Registered gelding who has been a beloved member of the NCTC Equine Program since he was donated to us in 2019. If you've ever met Luke, you know he's one of the sweetest horses on the property. He has never met a stranger, is always happy to see people, and has played an important role in the success of countless students over the years.

Before joining NCTC, Luke had an impressive show career, earning 22.5 AQHA Open Performance points, with Ranch Riding being his specialty.

Now it's time for Luke to begin his next chapter.

Luke is being rehomed as is and is currently not riding sound. With the right person and appropriate care, riding may be a possibility in the future, but our priority is finding him a home where he will be loved and appreciated. Luke would be perfectly happy being the friendliest—and arguably the prettiest—horse in someone's pasture.

As Coach Hannah always says, "Luke is a horse that I trust with my mom." There is no greater compliment than that.

If you are interested in learning more about Luke or the rehoming process, please send us a message through the NCTC IHSA Equestrian and Stock Horse Teams page or email Coach Hannah at [email protected].

Luke is an incredibly special horse, and we will be selective in finding the right forever home for him.

P.S. As you can probably tell from the photos... Coach Hannah really likes taking pictures with Luke. 🤎