The Hamilton County Junior Drill Team competed in the Florida State Fair in Tampa, on Saturday, Feb. 17. They rode in three different divisions and came home with three ribbons – fourth place in the Maiden (first year drill team competition), fourth place in the Youth Division, and tied for sixth place in the Open Division (youth and adult).

The mounted drill team competition is a timed event, in which the horse and rider perform with proper timing and synchronization to music. They are judged on their musical composition, costume, horsemanship, showmanship, grooming, difficulty of maneuvers/patterns, and the willingness of their horses to perform at different gaits and various maneuvers.

The Junior Drill team would like to give a special thank you to the following people and businesses: Dee King, Troy Jordan, Hazel Strickland, Jean Eatmon, Don Fenneman, Mary Grubbs, Linda and Otis Wetherington, Patty Mitchell, Torri Harris, Farley Cone, Trammel Deas, Rogers Deas, Cheryl Thomas, Matt Waters, Marie Warren, Linda Taylor, Bass Furniture and Appliance, North Florida Farm Center, Dr. Billy Blair, ESP, Eddie Accardi, WB Howlands, Hamilton County Riding Club, PCS, Hamilton County elected officials, Adams MD Farm, Inc. and The Jasper News.

Also, a very special thank you to the whole team and their parents.

The Hamilton County Junior Drill Team plan to ride in the Sunshine State Mounted Drill State Championship in October.