MURFREESBORO, TN – Members of the Mt. Juliet Future Farmers of America (FFA) took home first place honors in Tennessee FFA’s largest state Career Development Event (CDE), Horse Judging. More than 250 students representing 67 teams competed at MTSU’s Miller Coliseum in the event sponsored by the Tennessee Equine Hospital. The CDE tests agricultural education students in equine science selection, management and production. 

Team members include: Avie Joyce, Savannah Stanley, Savannah Throneberry, and Hannah Williams. Joyce and Stanley claimed first and second high individual scorer, respectively. 

FFA chapters with teams finishing in the top ten in order of rank were: Mt. Juliet, Lincoln County, McMinn County, Westmoreland, Woodbury, Cookeville, Moore County, Livingston Academy, Jefferson County, and Gallatin. 

As state winners, Mt. Juliet will go on to compete during the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY in October. If they place in the top ten nationally, they will be recognized before the more than 60,000 FFA members attending the convention and be awarded as much as $1,000 per team member. 

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Nationally, there are 606,510 FFA members, aged 12-21. The Tennessee FFA Association is comprised of more than 13,000 members from 213 high school chapters, 7 middle school chapters and 8 collegiate chapters across the state of Tennessee.

(Photo 1 caption: Members of the Mt. Juliet team pose after winning the FFA State Horse Judging CDE. Left to right: Savannah Throneberry (10th grade), Savannah Stanley (11th), Hannah Williams (9th), and Avie Joyce (12th)) 

(Photo 2 caption: Team members and alternates from the Lincoln County FFA Chapter smile after placing second in the FFA State Horse Judging CDE. Baylee Parton (front row, left) was the fourth high individual scorer.) 

Tennessee Tech University, Box 5034 Cookeville, TN 38505-0001