Horse sense: Stock Show contest winners earn scholarships

Caitlynn Teel took a major step toward veterinary school Monday at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

That may not sound like anything extraordinary, until you take into account that Teel is only 15.

The home-schooled freshman from Fairview was named the winner of the Equine IQ contest — a first-time event for the Stock Show that tests horse enthusiasts ages 8 to 18. Her victory over 64 other competitors in the senior division of the event earned her a $12,000 scholarship, which she hopes to spend on schooling that will allow her to realize her dream of becoming a veterinarian.

“I am passionate about horses. And since I was 6 or 7, I knew I wanted to be a vet,” said Teel, a rider since age 5 who has worked as a volunteer at a vet’s office for the past two years.

In this competition, Teel also proved that she is highly knowledgeable about horses. Contestants had to take written tests and show their skills in a hands-on challenge with a horse. The top five finishers in the senior division were required to deliver a speech on one of four topics drawn at random.

“The contest is designed to be an opportunity for all youth interested in horses, without having to own horses or even have any prior horse experience,” said Anna Morrison, instructional assistant professor and the assistant coordinator of the Equine Initiative at Texas A&M University, which presented the competition in coordination with the Stock Show.

“We think that is really important, especially in the Stock Show environment where we have so much exposure to a public that maybe has some interest in agriculture or an interest in horses, but hasn’t had the opportunity to be involved with that.”

Participation in the competition was limited to 100 students for this initial effort at the Stock Show, and Morrison said the event exceeded that, developing a waiting list well before the end of last year.

The competition divides contestants into three age categories: youth, ages 8 to 10; intermediate, ages 11-14; and senior, ages 15-18. Only those in the senior division competed for a total of $40,000 in scholarships committed by the Stock Show. Winners in the other divisions received vests and ribbons at ceremonies at the West Arena in the Richardson-Bass Building.

All age groups begin with a written exam that might include questions about breeds, markings, methods of identification, nutrition, management or reproduction. Then they move to identification stations where they look at images and are asked related questions. The top 10 finishers in each age group move on to a hands-on station that might involve approaching, catching, leading, checking a horse’s vital signs or taking off equipment.

Only the top five in the senior division then move on to the speech competition, where they draw a topic and have 10 minutes to prepare a five-minute speech.

“The speech is probably the biggest challenge,” said Bryn Stryk, 16, of Schulenburg, who took second place honors at the event and walked away with a $10,000 scholarship. “You have to say, ‘OK, I’m going to go speak in front of this big crowd,’ and not get eaten up by your nerves.”

Morrison said she hopes the competition accomplishes two goals.

“I hope they come away saying they had a day where they got to hang out with other people who enjoy horses, and feel more inspired to continue their love of horses. And secondly, I hope they come out of the contest feeling excited about expanding their knowledge base about horses.”

But both Teel, who is a competitive swimmer when she is not riding, and Stryk, who rides show jumpers and hopes to earn a spot on the U.S. Junior Olympic Equestrian Team, feel the competition does far more than that.

“The best part is that feeling of completion when you are done,” said Stryk, who hopes to become an environmental engineer.

This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Horse sense: Stock Show contest winners earn scholarships."