Enumclaw FFA chapter member recently earned a bronze medal in horse evaluation at the 96th National FFA Convention.

After placing first at the state horse evaluation last April, the FFA team went on to Indianapolis, Ind. from Oct. 19 to 25 to compete at the national level.

The horse evaluation team consisted of Alina Cierkowski, Olivia Mckeighen, Riyan McGee, Maiya Picinich, and Sammy Tappero. Olivia placed sixth individual at state but was not able to attend the national convention.

At the competition competitors were asked to judge horses to the best of their knowledge factoring in composition, breed characteristics, and performance. Between the two keep-cull classes, judging six performance classes, judging two halter classes, four oral reasonings, knowledge tests, and team activity, the horse evaluation team had a busy two days.

The Enumclaw FFA chapter competed against the top 48 teams from around the country.

McGee and Cierkowski both got individual silver medals. Picinich and Tappero both got bronze individual. The team overall got bronze.

Not only did the horse evaluation team got to experience the joys of National FFA convention, other members got to join the adventure and spend all their money at the FFA Maga Store. The members who weren’t competing spent their days at the convention, engaging with the expo and other members from all over the United States and surrounding territories.