Olympia FFA wins horse judging contest

Members of the Olympia FFA placed first out of 16 teams at the the Section 9 FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event (CDE) at Timber Creek Stables near Shirley, IL. 

There was a three-way tie for first place overall individual.  Shelby Lynch, Kassidy Tackett, and Trista Davis each had a score of 199 and represented Olympia FFA. Tarah Hilt was tied for 10th place overall, Chase Ragar was 13th, and Kiara Marler placed 14th out of 64 individuals total. 

Other team members included Savanah Biehl, Mailee Underwood, Libby Shaffer, Paige Finchum, Cheyenne Hanlin, and Ryan Simpson. 

FFA members judged four classes, two of which were halter classes.  The final two classes were performance classes which included Western Pleasure and Horsemanship. 

The horse judging team was coached by Tarah Hilt, Libby Shaffer, Shelby Lynch and FFA advisor Bryce Hoffman.

 “I’m really proud of how all of our FFA members competed.  Obviously the three who tied for first place did an outstanding job, but everyone else did really well too.  There is a nice balance to this year’s team with six experienced judges and six rookies,” stated Hoffman.   

The team will compete at the State Horse Judging CDE on Saturday, Sept.18 at Black Hawk East College.