MACON, Ga. – Winners of the Horse Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) were recognized at the 98th Georgia FFA State Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 22-25th, 2026.

In the senior division, Teagan Deering of White County placed first in the individual CDE competition, followed by Mika Gardner of LaFayette and Scarlett James of Southwest Georgia STEM Charter placing second and third, respectively. In the team competition, the state winner was LaFayette, followed by White County in second place and Fannin County in third. 

In the junior division, Madison Hollard of Screven County Middle was the first high individual, followed by Emma Hollie of Franklin County Middle in second and Riley Fleckerstein in third. The junior division team winner was Franklin County Middle, with Lee County Middle West placing second and Screven County Middle placing third.

CDE and LDE awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth and career success in a variety of competitions. The Horse Evaluation CDE is designed to develop the ability to select and evaluate both conformation and performance in horses. Participants in the Horse Evaluation CDE evaluate a variety of horse breeds and present oral reasons on selected classes.

The Horse Evaluation Career Development Event is sponsored at the state level by the Georgia FFA Foundation.

All individual and team winners received a plaque and a cash award. Individual winners received $100, second place individuals received $50 and third place individuals received $25. The winning team was awarded $2,000 travel money to attend the National FFA Convention. Additionally, the advisor of the state winning team received a $100 cash award. 

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are nearly 940,000 FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 80,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation. The 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. 

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