TWHBEA was proud to once again support the future of the equine industry through its sponsorship of the Equine Science Proficiency Awards at the Tennessee FFA State Convention, held this past March in Gatlinburg.
As part of the convention’s recognition program, TWHBEA CEO proudly presented the Equine Science – Entrepreneurship and Equine Science – Placement Proficiency Awards, honoring two outstanding students whose dedication, skill, and passion exemplify the very best of agricultural education.
This year’s Equine Science – Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award was presented to Mia Lewis of the Peabody FFA Chapter. Mia’s Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) focuses on training, managing, and competing barrel horses, with an emphasis on both performance success and long-term resale value. Through her growing enterprise, she is responsible for all aspects of horse care, conditioning, and business decision-making. Over the past year, Mia expanded her operation by purchasing two additional horses, further demonstrating her commitment to growth and confidence in her abilities. Her experience has helped her develop strong skills in equine management, marketing, and financial planning, and she plans to pursue a future career as an equine veterinarian.
The Equine Science – Placement Proficiency Award was awarded to Kayla Mashburn of the Meigs County FFA Chapter. Kayla’s SAE is centered on her hands-on work at a local equine operation that manages 34 horses. Her responsibilities include daily feeding, stall and tack maintenance, exercising horses, and developing feed rations to support overall health and performance. Through this experience, Kayla has built a strong foundation in equine care, nutrition, and management, while gaining an appreciation for the dedication required in a successful operation. She looks forward to continuing her growth by assisting with foaling and working with young horses.
Both winners will go on to represent Tennessee at the National FFA Convention this October in Indianapolis, where they will join thousands of fellow FFA members from across the country in celebrating achievement and leadership in agriculture.
