Published: November 30, 2009 07:39 am      

NEO judges undefeated after AQHA World Show

MIAMI — The Equine Judging Team at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College remains undefeated following their win at the American Quarter Horse Association World Show in Oklahoma City last week. The NEO Equine Judgers were awarded High Team Overall, High Team Performance, High Team Reasons and Second High Team in Halter, said Shannon Cunningham, coach.

In October, the team swept the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, bringing blue ribbons back to NEO as the top five students in the overall competition.

This team, said Cunningham, seems unstoppable.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment,” she said. “It is difficult to make it through the entire season and remain undefeated.”

As freshman last spring, these same students won the American Quarter Horse Association Spring Sweepstakes. It was at that competition that their true potential became clear, Cunningham said.

“This is a close-knit group of students who work hard and support each other,” she said. “I have always been proud of their effort.”

Dr. Jeffery Hale, NEO president, said the continued success the Equine Judging Team has brought to NEO has helped solidify the prestige of the

program.

“The amount of hard work and desire to excel demonstrated by our Equine Judging Team is a great example for all of us,” said Hale. “I think it is obvious that our coach and student-athletes are performing at the highest level. We are witnesses a level of performance that is unmatched. I could not be more proud of Shannon and her team.”

Alexis Cowan, a sophomore Equine Farm and Ranch Management major, said her skill-level was elevated thanks to the encouragement and confidence given to her by her teammates and coach.

“This has been a learning process for me,” she said. “Without them believing in me, I know that I would not have done nearly as well as I have. They have pushed me to improve every step of the way.”

Members of the Equine Judging Team include Dalton Coberly of Neosho, Mo.; Sarah Pankaskie of Arkansas City, Kan.; Cowan of Sallis, Miss.; Travis Timmons of Big Cabin; Logan Snow of Neosho; and Melissa Williams of Tulsa.

At the American Quarter Horse Association World Show, Timmons, former Adair FFA member, was awarded High Individual Overall, High Individual Halter and High Individual Reasons.

Cowan placed High Individual Performance, Second High Individual Overall, Second High Individual Halter and Third High Individual Reasons.

Snow placed Tenth High Individual Reasons.