FFA members learn how to judge Arabian horse competitions

DAWSON, Ill. (WAND) - Thursday afternoon, more than 100 high school FFA members gathered at Randy Sullivan's Training Center to learn how to judge Arabian horses in competition and see the horses up close.

"We want them to be able to see the animals, how they move, how they work with their riders, etc. and give them an in-person learning experience that's just great and memorable," said Caitlyn Agans, the Ag teacher and FFA Advisor at Tri-City High School.

Arabian horses are commonly known for their beauty, speed, intelligence, and gentleness with humans.

Agans said, "It's important for the kids to get exposed to that versus just the common western horses they usually see."

Karen Marnie, a longtime Arabian horse owner, said of the event, "This is wonderful. This is how I started out and I've been into Arabian horses for well over 50 years, but this is how I started out, when I went to something very similar to this. And I saw my first Arabian horse. Fell in love with them. I had other breeds at the time, but they just took my breath away and I've had them ever since."

High schoolers relished in the chance to learn something outside the classroom.

"Not a lot of people get a lot of exposure to horses," Kristina Morrow, the Section 14 President for the Illinois FFA, said, adding, "You'd be surprised."

Agans went on, saying, "Students love going to competitions like this and getting to experience things they'd never get to experience in a classroom."