Justin Johnson, a senior at Suwannee High School, and his nine-year-old American Quarter Horse “Sweet Hickory Colonel aka Sweetwater” were honored by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and Heel-O-Matic with a $300 college scholarship and a breast collar for Sweetwater being named the Florida High School Rodeo Association’s (FHSRA) Horse of the Year at the Florida High School Rodeo Finals recently at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.
To be eligible for AQHA Heel-O-Matic Horse of the Year honors, the rider had to be a current member of the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) and of the American Quarter Horse Youth Association. In addition, the nominated horse had to be a registered American Quarter Horse. Once all eligibility requirements were met, the horse and rider earned points by qualifying for and competing at the Florida High School Rodeo Finals. The horse and rider who earned the most points were awarded the honor of being named the AQHA-Heel-O-Matic Horse of the Year. From there, they were eligible to compete for National AQHA Heel-O-Matic Horse of the Year honors by competing at the National High School Finals Rodeo, held in July, in Springfield, Ill.
“The NHSRA is very proud to have the AQHA and Heel-O-Matic as national corporate partners. It is the sponsorship support NHSRA receives from its valuable corporate partners that allow it to assist with the development of dedication, leadership, responsibility and commitment in today’s young people,” explains NHSRA Marketing Director Jared Higby.
Johnson has had a love for horses his whole life, he started riding horses by himself when he was only three years old. At age seven, running the games at the Suwannee River Riding Club aboard his 14-year-old quarter horse named “E.T.,” Johnson won his first trophy saddle. Since that time, competing in the Southern Junior Rodeo Association, United States Team Roping Championship and now his fourth and final year as a member of the Florida High School Rodeo Association, he has accumulated 15 trophy saddles, numerous trophy belt buckles and major cash awards. Johnson currently owns six quarter horse geldings that he has trained for team roping and calf roping ranging from three to nine years old. Johnson is an SHS senior this year and gets out at noon for Work Co-op, where he goes home to ride/train horses for people at his horse training facility, “Lonesome Dove.” Johnson’s future plans include running for State FFA office and attending University of Florida to receive a degree in agriculture business.
For more information on NHSRA, visit www.nhsra.org or FHSRA visit www.fhsra.homestead.com.
Local News
Local rodeo champ, horse honored
- Local News
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- Showers possible for Memorial Day
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5th grader belts a rendition of "I Will Always Love You"
A Suwannee County fifth grader mesmerized students, parents and faculty during the Suwannee Intermediate School Spring Talent Show Thursday evening.
Brittanie Powell performed “I Will Always Love You” which was immortalized by the late Whitney Houston. It was Brittanie’s first performance and she selected the song a few weeks ago after watching a contestant perform it on American Idol. -
Pournelle receives valedictorian title
The only SHS senior with a 4.0 GPA was left out previously due to district policy
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- Mayo woman loses unborn child in car crash
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Suwannee Democrat obituaries - May 25, 2012
Agnes Barr Taylor
Bobby Roberts
Clifton E. Riley Sr.
- SHS spring game tonight
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Suwannee County's vals and sals
Editor's note: In today's paper (May 25) salutatorian is above Mara Lance's photo. Lance is a Suwannee High School valedictorian.
SHS
Valedictorians
Laura-Kaitlyn Boatright
Mara Magee Lance
Salutatorian
Christopher Cole ThomasBHS
Valedictorian
Robert Hansen
GPA - 3.83
Salutatorian
D’Vonte Cherry
GPA - 3.76
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Democrat Morning Update for Friday, May 25
Good morning. This is what's happening in your county today.
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FCAT 2.0 math and reading results
Suwannee falls right in line with state averages
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