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Horse Judging
Team Photo: L-R - Paige Finchum, Cheyenne Hanlin, Chase
Ragar, Kiara Marler, Trista Davis, Tarah Hilt, Libby
Shaffer, and Kassidy Tackett. |
Olympia FFA Wins State in 2021 Horse
Judging CDE
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[September 30, 2021]
Eight Olympia FFA members competed at the State Horse Judging Career
Development Event at Black Hawk East College on Saturday, September
18. Horse judging is divided into two teams. The reasons team from
Olympia was the top team this year.
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The team of students gave oral reasons to the judges in defense of
how they placed horses for two of the eight judging classes. Libby
Shaffer placed 4th overall individual, Tarah Hilt 7th, Kassidy
Tackett finished 11th, and Trista Davis placed 27th.
Both reason and non-reason teams judged 8 classes,
four of which were halter classes. The other four classes were
performance classes which included: Hunt Seat Equitation, Hunter
Under Saddle, Western Horsemanship, and Ranch Riding.
The Non-Reasons Team placed 15th out of 46. Members of the team were
Paige Finchum, Chase Ragar, Cheyenne Hanlin, and Kiara Marler. The
horse judging team was coached by Tarah Hilt, Libby Shaffer, Shelby
Lynch and Mr. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman would like to thank Carrie Lynch
and all the former FFA members who have been a part of the past
horse judging teams for laying the foundation for this current
success. Carrie Lynch has always been willing to host practices and
help students understand the fundamentals of horse judging.
“I am so proud of these young ladies. We have come really close
before, but winning state this year is definitely one of the
highlights of my career,” stated Mr. Hoffman.
Junior, Kassidy Tackett said, “When Mr. Hoffman said
we won state, I personally thought he was joking, but then it
finally sunk in that we really did it. I was super shocked because
honestly there were so many schools and kids competing.”
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Libby Shaffer was asked about winning and what is the most
challenging part of horse judging. “I’ve only been involved in horse judging for
two years now but have grown up with horses. Mr. Hoffman said from the very
beginning, that our team had the ability and talent to win. So, accomplishing
this in my second year is exciting and I cannot wait for nationals! Giving oral
reasons for the classes takes a lot of thought and insight. The most important
thing to do is take good notes. This is key to being able to remember and
explain your placings and present it to the judges,” Shaffer explained.
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Tarah Hilt was asked if she had any advice for younger members. “To all people
interested I say, please join! This is a great, fun group of people, and we
never had a dull moment this season. And it has overall bettered me in all my
other animal CDE’s, my public speaking in general, and gave me some great
friends,” stated Hilt. Olympia FFA will represent Illinois in horse judging at
the National FFA Convention in October of 2022.
[Bryce Hoffman] |