Team members left to right: Tara Hilt, Libby Shaffer, Anna Kindred, Ryan Simpson, Cheyenne Hanlin, and (not pictured) Shelby Lynch).

Olympia FFA takes 3rd at State Horse Judging

 

[November 12, 2020]  On Saturday morning, October 17, six Olympia FFA members competed virtually in the State Horse Judging CDE coordinated by Black Hawk East College.

Horse judging is divided into two teams.

The reasons team placed 3rd. This team of students submitted videos of their oral reasons to the judges in defense of how they placed horses for two of the eight classes. Junior, Shelby Lynch placed 3rd overall, freshman, Libby Shaffer placed 9th, sophomore, Tarah Hilt placed 10th, and freshman, Anna Kindred finished 22nd.

Both reason and non-reason teams judged 8 classes, four of which were halter classes. The final four classes were performance classes which included, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Reining, and Ranch Riding. All classes were video recorded and viewed online.

The Non-Reasons Team was made up of freshmen, Cheyenne Hanlin and Ryan Simpson.

The horse judging team had several people help with coaching this year including FFA members - Shelby Lynch and Tarah Hilt, as well as Mr. Hoffman. “Once again we had a very young team and they did a great job. The future is very bright for this team,” stated Mr. Hoffman after the Saturday CDE. Libby Shaffer stated, “I’ve learned how each class should be placed and why. It also got me out of my comfort zone as I presented my oral reasons.” Cheyenne Hanlin said, “I thought the reining class was the most challenging.” Both agreed that it was fun especially being able to be with their fellow FFA members.

[Bryce Hoffman]