The TCU equestrian program announced the hiring of Melissa Dukes Monday as its Western Head Coach.

“We are very pleased to welcome Melissa Dukes back to TCU,” said TCU Director of Equestrian Haley Schoolfield. “As an alumni of TCU, she is a highly respected rider and coach in the industry, as well as a judge with AQHA, APHA and NSBA. Those qualities make her an exceptional person to head up our Western program. It is with great pride that we add her to our staff.”

Dukes, who has coached or trained over 25 World, Reserve World and Congress Championships, brings a wealth of experience with her to Fort Worth as she recently was the co-owner for Dukes Performance Horses in Weatherford, training and competing on a national level, as well as handling all public relation and marketing opportunities.

A member of the AQHA Board of Directors, Dukes is a well respected judge in AQHA, APHA and NSBA, while also being an AQHA Professional Horseman. She also serves on the AQHA Youth Committee, Merle Wood Humanitarian Award Task Force and Texas A&M Equine Initiative Program Development Committee, respectively.

In the saddle, Dukes has hoisted 18 Congress Championships to go along with five World Show Championship titles in Western and English events in youth, amateur and open classes.

She has also earned High Point Rider in Australia at the World Cup Competition, while recording points in 13 different AQHA events.

Dukes graduated from TCU in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts.