Meet Our Featured Cadet: Mark Saenz!
Mark is a Senior Agricultural Science Major with a Minor in Horticulture in C-1 from Arlington, Texas! Mark joined the Cav in order to gain more experience for his future career as an Ag Teacher as well as the rich history of PMC. His favorite memories from his time in the Cav was the time spent training Sophomores and Mentoring the Juniors. He said, “It was cool to be a part of that process of passing down what we had learned from the Cav Jocks that went before us. The training we receive seems to connect the generations of Cav Jocks, as we learn similar lessons that they did before our time in the Cav. To be a part of continuing this was something that I really enjoyed.” When asked what he learned from his time in the cav, Mark said, “One important thing I learned a lot about was patience. When in a high stress environment such as a game day or parade, if you lose your cool, things can end up going very wrong. Through the Cav, I learned how to better keep a level head in these situations to help make better decisions.”
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Jacob Duran!
Jacob is a Senior Telecommunication Media Studies Major in Company S-1 from Austin, Texas! He was motivated to join the cav by a few upperclass Cav Jocks that he looked up to, as well as the opportunity to work with horses in a way most people never get to. Jacob’s favorite memory was going to the Citrus Parade in Mission, Texas this year. He said, “Our hosts were so hospitable and they really made us feel welcomed. There were so many Aggies whooping and cheering along the parade route, and people just thanking us for coming. It was easy to tell it meant a lot to them that we put the effort in to get there.” When asked what he learned from his time in the cav he said, “There’s so much to learn at the Green besides horsemanship, from fencing to leatherwork. I really took in a lot during my experience. I think the biggest thing was learning to work well with a team of so many people, often times with plenty of pressure. Working with the rest of command staff to coordinate ops and also with the rest of the vet team to make sure the herd was sound was definitely a great challenge that served as an excellent learning experience.”
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Zack Bengston!
Zack is a Senior Ag Systems Management Major in B-1 from Shiner, TX! He first joined the Cav to have an experience like nothing else and to be a part of an incredibly select group of people who stood above the rest. Zack’s favorite memory from his time in the Cav was the first time he rode his horse Bogey! When asked what he has learned from his time in the cav he said, “The cav has taught me many things from work project/group management to many handcrafts such as the hours I’ve spent tooling on leather. I’ve also learned to communicate effectively with others while performing intensive tasks such as riding a horse.”
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Dinyar Kadkhodaian!
Dinyar is a Senior Nuclear Engineering major with a minor in radiological health engineering in Company C-1 from Wauconda, IL! When asked why he wanted to join the cav he said, “I joined cav because of the influence of two former cav jocks in my outfit, but it was also a goal of mine to join since I applied to the university. I didn’t know how it would be possible as a nuke engineer but I made the workload happen.” His favorite memory from his time in PMC was holding his horse Hank’s head from 1am till 6am at the rose bowl on the interstate and riding in the Rose Parade after being up for a day! He said, “The whole trip was something else, sleeping in the stables and being outside the whole time, but that early morning standing on the highway in 30° weather, bundled up with a carhartt over my uniform was one of the richest memories cav has given me. And that parade led me to ride hank as a senior!” Dinyar said he has learned so much from being in the Cav and has enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from engineering and learn about the Ag world from the work done at the green!
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Chase Lipscomb!
Chase is a Senior Political Science Major in Squadron 6 from Edinburg, TX! When asked why he joined the cav he said, “I wanted to challenge myself and I wanted to be part of a group of people who grew up with the same work ethic as I did.” Chase’s favorite memory from his time in the cav was sleeping in stalls at the LA equestrian center and playing games with his buddies all night. From his time in the cav, he has learned that nothing comes easy and if you want to be a part of something great you have to work and dedicate yourself to make it happen.
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Ronnie Hayward!
Ronnie is a Senior Political Science major in C-1 from Galveston, Texas! When asked why he joined the Cav he said because he wanted to be a part of one of the greatest units within the Corps and to grow his leadership potential in new experiences that aren’t available to the majority of people. Ronnie’s favorite memory was going to California for the Rose Parade. He said it was such a unique experience traveling there and back and having fun with everyone who went, and the overall experience! Ronnie said that he has learned so much since joining including everything that has to do with riding, ultimately leading to him wanting a CHA riding certification!
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Charles Counts!
Charles is a Senior Mechatronics Engineering major in Company E-2 from Waco, Texas! He first joined the Cav to ride horses and develop himself in a different operating environment than the rest of the Corps. Charles’ favorite memory was making smoke rings with the ’02 and being on the field during the 7 OT LSU game. When asked what he has learned from being in the Cav he said, “The best thing I’ve learned so far in the Cav is that any bump you come across on the road can be overcame with courage, hard work, and good friends.”
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Brian Barker!
Brian is a Junior International Studies major in Squadron 4 from Grand Prairie, Texas! When asked why he joined the cav he said, “I wanted to be a part of one of the most special organizations at this university and to work alongside some incredibly hardworking people.” Brian’s favorite memory was riding to campus for the first time. He said, “Getting to ride and see the sun rise over the campus with my buddies was a memory I will never forget.” He said that PMC has taught him a variety of life skills and leadership that he will take with him into his future career.
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Brittany Dennis!
Brittany is a Senior Political Science and Russian double major in A-Battery from Mont Belvieu, Texas! When asked why she joined the cav, she said “It was always a dream of mine to ride horses, and when I saw the Cav ride in to Campus on a game day when I was younger, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I worked as hard as I could to make that dream become a reality.” Brittany’s favorite memory is a tie between riding in the Rose Bowl parade and getting the unique experience as a training officer of PMC to see the Sophomores we trained from the ground up ride in front of thousands of people in their first game day experience this past year. She said that she has learned while in PMC that, “not everything goes according to plan, you must be flexible and patient in order to keep the mission going. It is important to never lose sight of perspective and to learn to trust yourself and your peers because that is what will get you through anything.”
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Matt Conrad!
Matt is a Senior Animal Science major in A-2 from Seoul, South Korea. He first joined the cav to further his knowledge in horsemanship and to increase his skills for vet school. Matt says that he has learned while in the PMC that, “Sometimes you will get put in a situation that you don’t think you’re prepared for. Make sure you trust in the support of your peers and what you already know and everything will be okay.” He says that he will always remember his time going out to the green every week and riding with his fellow Cav Jocks.
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Harrison Matthews!
Harrison is a Junior INTS major in K-2 from San Antonio, Texas. When asked why he wanted to join the Cav he said, “As a freshman I had a lot of Cav jocks in my outfit that I really looked up to and they convinced me that the cav was the best special Unit in the Corps.” Harrison’s favorite memory was firing the Spirit of ’02 for the first time in Kyle Field. He said while being in the cav he has learned the value of hard work and commitment to something much bigger than himself.
Meet Our Featured Cadet: John Hagerty!
John is a Senior University Studies Agriculture and Life Sciences major in Company B-1 from San Diego, CA! He first joined the Cav to learn about proper horsemanship and have some once in a lifetime experiences. John’s favorite memory was helping plan PMC’s trip to the Rose Bowl and getting to ride in front of his family in California. He said, “It was an amazing experience to be part of such an undertaking and to showcase A&M to my family and friends.” John said that PMC has given him a variety of opportunities to grow and develop himself and make lifelong friends.
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Payton Denning!
Payton is a Junior Animal Science major in Gator-2 from Cleburne, Texas! He first joined the cav to learn what true horsemanship is all about and to make lifelong friends in the process. Payton’s favorite memory was firing the Spirit of ’02 for the first time in Kyle Field. He said, “it was a surreal experience to be on the field and apart of an A&M tradition that has lasted so many years.” Payton said that PMC has given him many opportunities that he can carry on and use in the real world with a hopeful ranching career.
Meet Our Featured Cadet: Jordan Smith!
Jordan is a Junior International Studies and English double major with a Business minor in B-Battery from Venus, Texas! She first wanted to join the cav because of her childhood obsession with horses and her dream to learn how to ride. She unfortunately never learned to ride a horse as a child, and saw the cav as an opportunity to achieve her childhood dream and to be a part of something very unique. Jordan’s favorite memory has to be the first time she rode into Kyle Field and passed the Aggie Band. She said, “So many of my friends and buddies cheered me on that it almost spooked the horses. I remember feeling so happy and proud of what I had accomplished so far in PMC.” While in the cav, Jordan has had the opportunity to serve as a member of the Vet Chain where she has learned about veterinary work and helps ensure all of our horses are healthy and well taken care of.
Meet our Featured Cadet: Douglas Handley!
Doug is a Senior Construction Science Major with a Minor in Business Management in L-1 from Flower Mound, Texas! He first joined the cav to learn more about teamwork and horsemanship and to seek a challenge that was greater than a normal Corps experience. When asked about his favorite memory from his time in the cav he said, “My favorite memory was receiving my yellow cord and whitey with my buddies after work week. Knowing that I achieved a long term goal and went through a shared struggle with my buddies was really personally inspiring.” Doug has learned a lot about teamwork, peer leadership, and how to deal with stressful and dangerous situations from his time in the cav, which are all skills he said he will use later in life.