AMES, Iowa – The Story County 4-H Horse Judging team placed first among five senior teams at the 2006 Iowa 4-H Horse Judging Contest held June 15 at Jester Park near Granger, Iowa. The Story County team will represent Iowa in the 2007 national judging contest held in Denver, Colo., in January.

The three-member team scored 1,055 points out of the possible 2,000 in the senior division. Team members are Caitlin Peterson of Zearing, Anna Olsen of McCallsburg and Sarah Knott of State Center. Their coach is Amanda Honnold of Nevada.

Second place in the senior division went to Madison County, with 1,015 points. Kyle and Clint Stanley of Winterset, and Mary and Sarah Puderbaugh of Peru were the four team members. They were coached by Jana Peters of Winterset.

Hamilton/Boone County was the third place team at the state event with 979 points. Team members were Danielle Bernard of Webster City, and Tucker King, Kahola King and Sareena Madden, all of Boone. Lesa Vold of Kamrar was their coach.

Junior team winners included teams from Story and Madison Counties. 

The goals of the Iowa 4-H Horse Judging Contest are for the 4-H’ers to learn evaluation methods, practice decision-making and communication skills, and develop the ability to select horses appropriate for a defined purpose. Each contestant presented two sets of oral reasons describing his or her thoughts on why the animals were placed in a specific order.    

Sponsors for the contest include the Iowa Horse Council and the Iowa 4-H Foundation Equine Endowment.

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