Quincy Cahill Allen, Breaks Glass Ceiling Becoming First Equestrian Inducted Into Texas A&M Hall of Fame

By TQHYA Reporter: Tatum Richey

FORMER TQHYA OFFICER BREAKS TEXAS A&M GLASS CEILING WITH “Hall Of Fame” INDUCTION.

Quincy Cahill Allen did something no equestrian has ever accomplished in history; she was inducted into Texas A&M Lettermen’s Associations Hall of Fame Class 2016. In a year when many people were looking for a woman to break through a world class glass ceiling, it’s my great honor to say my friend and mentor, Quincy, did just that! She broke through with grace, humility, and a quiet determination during a very noisy and divisive climate in America. She embodies the epitome of the Aggie spirit.

When Quincy went to Texas A&M in 1998, no varsity equestrian program existed, although it was added the next year in 1999. When she graduated in 2002, Quincy had won six national championships. Her list of accomplishments outshines any equestrian before or since. Her humble spirit and determination for excellence has served her greatly during her entire career. It has been my great privilege to know and watch Quincy for almost seven years while riding with her mother, Nancy Cahill.

It was an honor to witness the respect our beloved sport received Friday night. Quincy, a former TQHYA member, and one of it’s most decorated riders, was the perfect horseman to receive this award. Quincy put into perspective for me her days as a youth rider. “TQHYA is such a great organization for kids to be a part of while growing up! They’re very supportive of their youth members and always available to help when needed. The many TQHYA sanctioned shows allowed me to compete almost every weekend, which helped me prepare for collegiate equestrian. As they say, ‘Practice makes perfect!'”

As the first representative from equestrian in the Hall of Fame, Quincy Cahill Allen ’02, was joined by a equally impressive group of world class athletes; Porscha Lucas ’10 from women’s track and field, Ryan Palmer ’99 from men’s golf, Cliff Pennington ’06 from baseball, Corey Pullig ’96 from football, and Julia Wilkinson ’10 from women’s swimming and diving are the six Hall of Fame inductees. Tremendous ambassadors and supporters of all Aggie athletic teams, coaches, and student-athletes are Sandra and Jerry Griffith ’54, and they join Penny King ’90, a long-time athletics department administrator, as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Honor.

Two classmates from the early 1980s have achieved success at the highest level of their chosen professions and were selected as Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Former trainer, manager and longtime athletics fields supervisor Leo Goertz ’82 was honored along with the first Aggie head coach to earn a Super Bowl Championship, Gary Kubiak ’83.

The organization’s 39th annual Burgess Banquet was held Friday, Nov. 18 in the Hall of Champions on the west side of Kyle Field. The reception and dinner following was a night no one will soon forget. 

Congratulations, Quincy! Thank you for breaking that glass ceiling for all Equestrian Athletes. What you accomplished will be remembered in history forever, but your commitment to greatness is something that influences all every day.

God bless you,

Tatum Richey