UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- During the fall 2005 semester, five students competed as members of the Penn State Horse Judging Team at the All American Quarter Horse Congress Contest in Columbus, Ohio, and at the AQHA World Championship Contest in Oklahoma City.

The team was comprised of Allison Giraldi of Hillsborough, NJ, a junior majoring in animal sciences; Kathryn Peters of Pennsylvania Furnace, a senior majoring in animal science; Megan Brown of Fairview, a senior majoring in animal sciences; Sara McKee of Etters, a senior majoring in animal science; and Sarah Gaydos of Merrittstown, a senior majoring in animal bioscience. Additionally, Carrie Nelson of Pittsburgh, a junior majoring in animal science, and Stacie Domer of Indiana, a junior majoring in agricultural and extension education, worked with the group.

"At both the All American Quarter Horse Congress Contest and at the AQHA World Championship, students were required to place 12 classes of four animals each," says Brian Egan, horse judging team coach. "Classes included halter and performance with hunt seat and western performance, driving, etc."

Following the judging, each student is required to deliver five sets of oral reasons to defend the placing they made. These reasons are evaluated by an official for accuracy, terminology, delivery and presentation. Contest results are reported for both individuals and teams in halter judging, performance judging, oral reasons and overall.

At the Quarter Horse Congress Contest, Peters placed fifth in halter judging, ninth in performance judging, ninth in oral reasons and fourth overall. The team placed ninth in halter judging, 11th in performance judging, 11th in oral reasons, and 11th overall.

At the AQHA World Championship Contest, the Penn State team’s individual results by division were highlighted by Sara McKee placing 12th in halter judging and Megan Brown placing 16th in halter judging. Overall, all team members placed in the top 40 with McKee placing ninth, Gaydos placing 13th and Brown placing 18th.

Also in the overall competition, all five members were separated by only 21 points (possible 900 points each), which vaulted Penn State to a high finish in the team competition. The team placed fourth in halter judging, fifth in performance judging, eighth in oral reasons and third overall. Penn State fell just seven points short of being crowned reserve world champion.

"To make the team, each student had to take an animal science class in both the fall and spring," says Egan. "We practiced in class with videos and occasionally out of class at local horse shows in summer and fall.

"In all, the seven students who worked with the horse-judging program this fall did a fantastic job," Egan continued. "They worked hard not only in class but also out of class, often getting together on their own during weekends to work through classes of horses. This group helped one another throughout the entire process and never let any personal goals get in the way of the team’s success. It was this unity and teamwork that allowed them to have the successes that they earned."

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EDITORS: Contact Brian Egan at 814-863-3957 or by e-mail began@psu.edu.

Writers: Ryan Szivos Editor: Jeff Mulhollem Penn State Ag Sciences News 814-863-2719