SP Horse Judging Team garners national honors

Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The South Putnam FFA Horse Judging Team recently went to national competition in Tulsa, Okla. Team members were, from left, Logan Pell, Sarah New, coach Dorothy Edwards, Shea Mahoney-Sutherland and Garth McMains.

GREENCASTLE -- The South Putnam FFA Horse Judging Team returned recently from national competition in Tulsa, Okla., with ribbons and awards to their credit.

The team was named high FFA team, and also placed third overall. Team members were Shea Mahoney-Sutherland, Sarah New, Logan Pell and Garth McMains.

In the horse judging contest, teams must judge six performance classes and four halter classes. From those 10 classes, team members were required to give oral reasons on two of the performances and two on the halter classes.

"These oral reasons are given for the contestant to try to defend their judgments by being totally objective and honest in their placings," said team coach Dorothy Edwards. "By giving oral reasons, the students learn how to think, organize thoughts and speak without notes, developing great leadership abilities."

Winners at the competition were announced during a breakfast.

That evening, winners were recognized in the show arena during a ceremony on national television.

"This was a very trying time for the team, but they really enjoyed all of it," Edwards said.

The contest was sponsored by the National Arabian Association. The horse the contestants judged were all national or international champions.

Edwards expressed great pride in the team's efforts.

"They worked really hard to get where they were, and the outcome was well worth all the hard work," she said.

Several local businesses and individuals contributed to help make the team's trip to nationals possible. Donors included the South Putnam School Board, Ted Everett Farm Equipment, Sherry Adamson, the Ernie Sheldon family, Wesley Brachter, D&M Feed Services, T&G Sutherlin Farms, Lauralee Baugh, Jim, Valerie and Jada Buchanan, First National Bank, S&W Feed, Connie Cress, Sherwood Christian Church, John and Mary Ray and Palace of Pizza.

"We just want everyone to know how much we appreciate their help," Edwards said.

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