After a year of waiting, members of Future Farmers of America were finally able to travel to the national convention in Indianapolis, MN. The horse judging team had previously competed at the state level and took first place in their category. Although the team did not win at national level, an individual competitor did. Senior Allison Stamps took first place at nationals in halter horse judging.

“I was shocked!” said Stamps. “I thought, ‘Did they really just say my name?'”

The club departed for Indianapolis on Oct. 18 and competed on the 21. Stamps had been working her way to nationals for three years now, starting the process as a sophomore.

“I’m also a Rodeo Queen so I thought that joining FFA would help better my knowledge on horses,” said Stamps.

The club attends convention every year, but this was only the second year for the club to compete at the national level.

The horse judging team took first place at state competition in April of last year and had been training for horse judging up to October. This was the second time the club had competed at state and nationals.

“I had to text a picture of the plaque to the students because they didn’t believe me that they had won at state competition,” said FFA advisor Patti Priest.

In order to prepare for the competitions, the FFA’s horse judging team practiced three times a week. Along with this practice, the team also attended practice contests. Students from Northeast Oklahoma also helped the team ready for nationals.

“I was very proud of my team,” said Priest. “It was really exciting.”

Even though Stamps took first place for her category at the national level, the team was discouraged that she did not receive something else for her national win.

“We were really happy that she won, but we were disappointed she didn’t get a scholarship,” said Priest. “It was kind of bittersweet for all of us.”