OSU's Horse Judging Team Wins AQHA Congress Contest

STILLWATER, Okla. – Oklahoma State University’s 2016 Horse Judging teams placed first and fourth at the 50th anniversary of the annual American Quarter Horse Association Congress Horse Judging contest Oct. 15-20 in Columbus, Ohio.

OSU had two teams of five and one individual compete in the AQHA Congress, said OSU’s Head Coach Steven Cooper.

The following students were Team A members: Hana Murphy, an animal science junior; Garrett Reed, an agribusiness senior; Jenna Kool, an animal science senior; Dylan Price, an animal science junior; and Becca Janes, an animal science junior.

The following students were Team B members: Taylor Gilbert, an animal science sophomore; Samantha McCullough, an animal science sophomore; Harlie Sasser, an animal science junior; Franchesca Rollerson, an animal science sophomore; and Macy Perry, an animal science junior. Michael Robertson, an animal science junior, competed as an individual. The teams are coached by Head Coach Steven Cooper, an OSU animal science professor, and assistant coaches Sarah Schobert, an animal science graduate student, and Marissa Chapa, an animal science graduate student.

This is the first time Cooper has had a team win the AQHA Congress in his coaching career. This is also the first time OSU has won this contest in twenty-one years, Cooper said. Cooper referred to his 2016 horse judging team as “really talented.”

“It was really neat that we won the Congress on the 50th anniversary of the contest,” Cooper said.

The teams also placed first and second in the halter division, which consists of judging horses based on their conformation. The first place overall team also placed first in reasons and third in performance, which consists of judging horses based on movement.

Seven OSU team members placed in the top 10 of individual placings. Two OSU team members also placed in the top 10 of overall individuals.

Overall. Placings in the overall event are as follows: Price, second; and Kool, eighth.

“It feels good to do well,” Price said, “but at the end of the day the team is the ultimate champion.”

Halter. Placings in the halter event are as follows: Reed, first; Kool, second; Janes, fourth; Sasser, eighth; and McCullough, tenth.

Performance. Placings in the performance event are as follows: Price, third.

Reasons. Placings in the reasons event are as follows: Price, first; Murphy, fourth; Reed, fifth; and Kool, ninth.

Sasser said, “We have won every contest this far with both teams placing in the top five, as well as several members placing in the top 10 overall.” Sasser said, “I feel excited, overwhelmed and a little surprised in a way.”

Reed said, “I feel honored. Our team has had a great season, and I’m excited for us to finish out strong.”

Price said, “We won a contest that has historically been hard to win. We pulled through and had a successful day. We have worked really hard and have an incredibly talented team.”

Cooper said, “I’m proud of them for placing as the first and fourth top teams.”

OSU’s horse judging team has won every contest entered this season, said Cooper. The next and final contest for the team is the Quarter Horse World Show Nov. 11-16 in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Quarter Horse World Show will be Price’s last contest of his horse judging career, Price said.

“I have been judging for several years and it's going to be sad,” Price said. “Judging has been a huge part of my life and I've met some incredible people and have been given some incredible opportunities and memories. I'm ready to go out on a high note and go out feeling like I gave it my all.”

Cooper said, “I hope to finish the year the way we started. I plan on going out on top.”

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