Breaking Records at Tulsa State Fair

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University’s 2016 Horse Judging team broke records at the third annual Tulsa State Fair Horse Judging Contest on Oct. 3. The reigning champs, Oklahoma State Pokes took first place while OSU’s Oklahoma State Petes took second place. This is the first time a team has won first and second place at the Tulsa State Fair contest.

Team members for both teams include: Taylor Gilbert, Rebecca Janes, Jenna Kool, Samantha McCullough, Hana Murphy, Macy Perry, Dylan Price, Garrett Reed, Franchesca Rollerson, Michael Robertson and Harlie Sasser. The teams are coached by Steven Cooper, Sarah Schobert and Marissa Chapa.

This is the third year the Tulsa State Fair has offered the horse judging contest, and the second year OSU’s horse judging team has won the competition. The Oklahoma State Pokes won first in all team divisions, which includes halter, performance, reasons and overall. The Oklahoma State Petes placed second in performance, fourth in reasons, fifth in halter and reserve overall.

The individual results were just as outstanding. OSU had six students place within the top ten overall. OSU students took first place in each event, which includes: halter, performance, reasons and overall.

In Overall Dylan Price placed first, Jenna Kool placed second, Hana Murphy placed third, Macy Perry placed fifth, Taylor Gilbert placed sixth and Rebecca Janes placed eighth overall.

In Halter Jenna Kool placed first, Rebecca Janes placed fourth, Garrett Reed placed fifth, Franchesca Rollerson placed sixth and Dylan Price placed ninth.

In Performance Dylan Price placed first, Hana Murphy placed second, Macy Perry placed third, Jenna Kool placed fourth, Taylor Gilbert placed seventh and Rebecca Janes placed tenth.

In Reasons Garrett Reed placed first, Dylan Price placed second, Jenna Kool placed third, Hana Murphy placed fourth and Rebecca Janes placed sixth.

“[Winning first and reserve] is really rare,” Schobert said. “The last time I think it was done was the ‘90s World Show,” Schobert said.

“This is a big accomplishment,” Cooper said. “I’m excited to see what else the team accomplishes this year,” Cooper said.

Dylan Price was the overall winner of the Tulsa State Fair Contest. Price, an animal science junior, has been judging horses for nearly seven years now. He judged on his high school team for four years, on Northeastern Oklahoma A&M’s team for two years and now he is judging for OSU’s team.

“I'm more proud of the fact that we went first and second in the overall team,” Price said. “It feels really good to have a good day, but ultimately the high individual is just the one that helps the team the most,” Price said.

Garrett Reed, an agribusiness senior, won high individual in the reasons division. Reed judged horses all throughout high school. This is his first year on OSU’s horse judging team.

“Everyone has been working extremely hard and it's always nice to see the fruits of your labor,” Reed said.

The team practices for four hours three times a week, Reed said.

“It is a matter of time management because it takes up a lot of time in and out of practice, as well as missing class for contests, but it’s all worth it because we learn things the classroom can't teach you,” Reed said.

Hana Murphy, an animal science junior, placed third overall. This is Murphy’s first year on the judging team.

“We have a very talented team that is not afraid to work hard, which is why we are so successful,” Murphy said. “I couldn’t have done as well as I did without the support of my team and the teachings from my coaches,” Murphy said.

This is only the second competition the team has competed in this year. The team also won the Spring Horse Judging Contest that was held in Gainesville, Texas. The team’s next contest is the All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio on Oct. 15-21.

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