Horse judging team competes in U.S. Arabian Nationals

10/30/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Twelve students from William Woods University’s collegiate horse judging team competed in the U.S. Arabian Nationals competition Oct. 26 in Tulsa, Okla.

“It was a really fun experience and our team did really well for how many beginners we had,” Haley Ostrander of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., said.

The group consisted of two teams (green and white) with five people each, along with two learner judges. Team green placed fifth in the halter division, fourth in performance, fifth in reasons and then ended up fourth overall.  Team white placed fifth in performance and finished in sixth as a team.
 
Team green consisted of Maria Gudger of Portland, Ore.; Amanda Held of Monument, Colo.; Rhianna Jones of Fresno, Calif.; Ashton Rhine of Rocheport, Mo.; and Sarah Seidel of Kansas City, Mo.

Team white consisted of Cristina Christianson of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Victoria Frame of Goode, Va.; Megan Lynne of Clarkfield, Minn.; Alix Polydoros of Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Ostrander.

Mallory DeVoll of Alto, Mich., and Kelly Svoboda of Shakopee, Minn., served as learner judges.

The teams were coached this year by Jennie Petterson, assistant professor, and Liz Haben, adjunct clinical instructor.

“I always look forward to the first competition of the season,” Petterson said.  “We always have some new faces, and finishing with a team in the fourth spot overall was a great accomplishment.  With everyone on the teams taking home a top five ribbon, we had a very happy trip back to Fulton.”
 
“I think the contest went extremely well,” Jones said. “As a team of new judges, or some with minimal experience, we were able to do well and clench fourth overall. With more practice, this team has the potential to go far and do exceptionally well.”

Rhine, added, “Both of our teams did very well. I was so proud of all of us as we were all new judges.”  She said her favorite part of the trip “was all the little moments and conversations that happened. I made a lot of memories and can't wait to judge next semester.”
 
Equestrian students interested in learning and participating with horse judging are invited to attend a team meeting. The team meets at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the large EQS classroom to review and practice material. Tryouts for the next competition will be held in the spring.