The Crook County FFA chapter - Central Oregonian News

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Ramona McCallister

The Oregon FFA State Fair was well represented in August by five of Crook County’s FFA chapter, with three students participating in a new division for the first time.

The local chapter walked away with several champion and reserve champion placements in the livestock show, as well as top 10 placements in the equestrian division.

Dan McNary, the agriculture instructor at Crook County High School, has also been the FFA advisor for the program since his employment at the district. McNary has carried on the tradition from his predecessors of providing a solid curriculum for his students-both in agriculture studies and FFA. Through the years, Crook County FFA students have proved their competence in several areas, including soils, livestock showmanship, speech competitions, and now horsemanship.

Recently, McNary took five students to the FFA State Fair from Aug. 24-29. He took three students to the Horse Fair and two competed in the livestock portion of the fair.

“FFA has a regular livestock section, and a few years ago, they started a horse fair,” said McNary. “As far as I could tell, Crook County FFA has never participated in the horse fair. This is the first time.”

The students who attended the horse fair were Brittney Herber, Kersey Stegman, and Emily Thompson. McNary said the three girls have a great deal of experience with Oregon High School Equestrian Team. In the fair, they competed in halter classes, showmanship, pleasure classes, equitation classes, and gaming classes.

“It was the first time competing with their horses in FFA.”

The three equestrian participants all agreed that it was a great experience.

Herber is a junior at CCHS, and the Crook County FFA President this year.

“I have been in FFA since I was a freshman and have loved every minute of it,” commented Herber. “This August, I and two others, Kersey and Emily, had the opportunity to compete at the FFA Oregon State Fair on our horses. We had a blast and loved meeting new people. It was our first year at the FFA show, and we came in not knowing anything. My paint horse, Chico — who just now turned seven, did very well. We placed in the top 10 for all the equation and pleasure events and top five in all the gaming events.”

Thompson is just beginning her third year in FFA. She also thought the State Fair equestrian competition was a great experience and a chance to break out of her box and try new things.

“The value of the competition to me was just getting out there and doing my best, not to win, but to have fun,” recalled Thompson. “By being involved in State Fair, I realized what the competition in Oregon Equine FFA is like. As well as meeting other FFA chapters who are involved in equine. Overall, for this being Crook County’s first appearance at the Oregon State Fair, we did a fantastic job — and I know we will do even better in years to come, now that we know what to expect.”

The two students who competed in the livestock portion of the FFA State Fair also did extremely well. Kendra Rector showed four Montadale Sheep and had a Champion Montadale Ewe, a Champion Montadale Ram, and a Reserve Supreme Champion Ram. Rector also entered six fleeces and earned Champion and Reserve Champion Fleece, as well as receiving blue ribbons on all of her fleeces. She was also the premier wool exhibitor.

Alissa Boatman-Green exhibited five Crossbred Wether Dam Sheep and earned Champion Crossbred Ewe, Supreme Champion Ewe, Supreme Champion Market Lamb, Champion Pair of Market Lambs, Reserve Champion Sheep Showman, and Premier Sheep Exhibitor.

Boatman-Green and Rector — representing Crook County FFA, were also selected as Reserve Champion Sheep Herdsmen.

“They won almost everything that could be won in the sheep barn,” exclaimed McNary.