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Horse judging team bound for nationals
GREENCASTLE -- The four South Putnam students that make up the Future Farmers of America Horse Judging team are headed to the national competition following a second place finish at state competition recently.
Seniors Shea Mahoney-Sutherland, Sarah New and Garth McMains and Sophomore Logan Pell will travel to Tulsa, Okla. on Oct. 28 to take part in nationals. The competition will last for three days.
At the state competition, the team judged eight different horse classes and gave four sets of oral reasonings. They judged Arabian and half-Arabian horses in such categories as Western Pleasure and Trail.
The team was coached by Dorothy Edwards.
"I've judged horses for 45 years and had kids in 4-H for a long time," she said. "I like judging the horse shows, but I've always just really enjoyed working with the kids."
The last time Edwards coached a judging team that made it to nationals, she said, was about 18 years ago.
This is the second year the South Putnam team has been in existence. Last year, they placed third in state competition. They could had advanced to nationals, but didn't think they were quite ready.
This year is different. They missed first place at state by only a few points, and are confident that their skills will lead them to a good showing at nationals.
"We practice once or twice a week," Mahoney-Sutherland said.
They also travel to get better versed on Arabians, the breed they will judging at nationals.
"We've been visiting Arabian farms to get prepared," New said.
The team is hoping to raise money for their trip to Oklahoma with a couple of different fundraising events.
Today and Saturday, they will host a yard sale at Sherwood Christian Church in Greencastle. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
On Wednesday, a percentage of sales at Monical's Pizza in Greencastle will be donated to the team.