WACO, Texas – The National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) has revealed the winner of the YETI Workhorse award, announced in-arena at the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 NCEA Championship in Ocala, Fla.
The YETI Workhorse awardee is UT Martin's Stevie Brown, a senior and veterinary science major from Shelby, North Carolina. A Reiner for the Skyhawks, Brown logged 71 hours of community service this season alongside her duties to the UT Martin program and will be returning for a 5th season. She is also a starter on the squad with a win rate of 53 percent and an average score of 70. Her coaches have said that her ability to balance the demands of being a student athlete, leader, and caretaker of the equine herd at UTM speaks to her character and commitment.
The award honors the teammate who fully embodies the mission and heart of the team. She is the athlete who supports her teammates, cares deeply for the equine athletes, and defines success not solely by wins and losses in the competition ring, but by the dedication and effort she brings to the barn and locker room every single day. She radiates positivity, work ethic, and unwavering commitment. She elevates those around her, instilling confidence and belief in their ability to achieve their goals. Often an unsung hero, her impact is felt in every aspect of the program—her teammates and coaches know she plays an essential role in the team’s record, culture, and lasting legacy. She is the YETI Workhorse.
Selection of the award was made by members of the NCEA's Administrator Council along with a representative from YETI.
"Stevie Brown, a senior and starter on our reining squad, has an impact on our program that extends far beyond the competition arena," wrote head coach Kim Leiter-Janes. "While she contributes athletically in our lineup, it is her leadership and daily investment in our team that truly define her value. Stevie is someone her teammates consistently rely on for support, accountability, and steadiness both in and out of the arena. She represents the very best of our program. Her influence will continue to be felt long after her time as a student athlete, and she leaves a legacy defined not just by what she accomplished, but by how she served others every single day. We are grateful that Stevie will be returning for a fifth year, continuing her impact on our program while pursuing her graduate degree at UT Martin.
Stevie’s impact is defined by her consistency, humility, and willingness to do whatever is needed without being asked. She is often the first to step in and the last to leave, taking pride in the behind the scenes work that allows our team and horses to perform at a high level. She sets a standard through her actions, not her words, and that standard has elevated the expectations of those around her. As a coach, she is someone I trust completely. Whether given a task or simply an idea, she takes full ownership and sees it through to fruition. She has earned the respect of her teammates, coaches, and the broader campus community through her reliability and trustworthiness. Whether she is managing the barn, assisting in academic labs, or leading service efforts, Stevie approaches every responsibility with professionalism and care.
For the past two years, Stevie has served as a barn manager for our UTM Equestrian herd, taking ownership of critical operations that keep our program running. She organizes farrier days, oversees barn chores and laundry, and manages our blanketing program, ensuring each horse is cared for appropriately as weather conditions change. Her attention to detail and reliability provide a level of consistency that our entire program depends on.
Beyond our team, Stevie serves as a teaching assistant in multiple Horse Science labs on campus. In that role, she helps organize and run lab sessions while also playing a hands on role in educating fellow students. She leads efforts in collecting fecal samples, coordinating deworming schedules, and assisting with vaccinations, bridging the gap between academic learning and real world application.
Stevie also took the initiative to organize a team community service day at the Red Fern Animal Shelter, a primitive, outdoor, nonprofit, no kill facility that had been overwhelmed following a difficult winter. After connecting with the owner, Stevie gathered a detailed wish list of projects and led our team in tackling every item, cleaning, organizing, and completing even the not fun jobs. In just three hours, our team accomplished more than what had been on the shelter’s to do list for the past two years, making an immediate and meaningful impact on their operation.
Additionally, through our stable management classes, Stevie organizes and directs students to assist with feeding and stall cleaning for our herd of more than 40 horses. This not only enhances student learning across campus but also plays a vital role in supporting the daily care of our horses and reducing operational costs for our program.
Stevie embodies the YETI Workhorse in every sense. She leads through action, serves without seeking recognition, and consistently puts the needs of the team and our equine athletes above her own. Her impact is felt in every corner of our program, and her work ethic, humility, and commitment have left a lasting mark on our team’s culture and success."
About the NCEA
A non-profit corporation, the NCEA is a governing body to advance the sport of collegiate equestrian. The NCEA is responsible for the development and administration of equestrian rules and guidelines. Equestrian is subject to all NCAA policies and procedures in the same manner as other sports. In 1998, Equestrian was identified and adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) as an emerging sport for women at the Division I and II levels.
NCEA competitions are in a head-to-head format, and schools may choose to compete as a single or dual discipline team (Jumping Seat and Western). Each discipline has two events: in Jumping Seat, Fences and Flat, and in Western, Horsemanship and Reining. Teams can have five riders per event, with horses assigned by random draw at the start of the competition. Riders from opposing teams compete on the same horse, and whichever rider receives the higher score earns one point for her team. The level of difficulty is demonstrated by the accuracy of the pattern and how the competitor uses the horse to the best of her ability.
To stay up to date all year long on all things NCEA Equestrian, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @NCEA_Equestrian and @ncea_eq.
– collegiateequestrian.com –