Photo propvided Edison High School FFA Equine Team members, pictured from left, Maddie Granatir, Ellie Richards, Mimi Ault, and Leila Sudvary are heading to the American Horse Paint Association World Championship Show on June 18-21 in Fort Worth, Texas, after placing second in their state competition. The group addressed Edison Local school board members at their recent meeting about the excursion, saying it was a significant moment and competition is fierce. The AHPA show draws thousands of people each year from across the world for its events.

RICHMOND — The Edison High School FFA Equine Team is headed to a national competition in June after earning a state runner-up finish and securing a spot among Ohio’s top programs.

Members Maddie Granatir, Ellie Richards, Mimi Ault and Leila Sudvary attended the Edison Local Board of Education meeting May 21 in Richmond to outline plans for the American Horse Paint Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas, June 18-21. The event will be held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center and draws more than 5,000 competitors and spectators from around the world.

The competition includes youth, amateur and open divisions and features events such as reining, roping, hunt-seat and Western all-around, along with exhibitions and entertainment.

Granatir, a junior at Edison High School, said the team competes through the school’s Equine Management career technical education pathway within the FFA program.

“The Equine Management CTE is a compilation of judging different animal classes. We will judge horses on confirmation and in performance classes,” Granatir said. “So, that’s in hand with work with horses as well as riding.”

She said the competition also includes testing and public speaking.

“It just it sets us up for a good future because we learn all of these different skills through this one competition,” Granatir said.

Ault said the group advanced after placing second at the state level.

“We have gone through a lot to get here and beat out 106 teams from throughout the state of Ohio,” she said, noting the team earned Edison’s first banner in the event since 1993.

Richards said expenses for the trip include flights, lodging, food and competition fees. FFA advisers Cori Griffith and Kelli Pridemore said fundraising efforts throughout the year, including fruit sales, will help offset costs.

Sudvary said board support helps the team represent the district on a national stage.

“We can ensure equal opportunity for all of our team members, highlight the strength of our agricultural program, bring recognition and pride to the school and community, and help offset the costs for students and the chapter,” she said. “We’re all planning to do something agricultural in the future and it would look good on the resume that we’ve gone to a couple national contests now.”

Ault said the competition is among the most challenging in the country, with strong programs from states including Texas, Florida and North Carolina.

Following the presentation, board members praised the team and agreed to support the trip.