WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Many of our agricultural industry leaders have been shaped at least in part by their experiences on judging teams, and the young adults who represented Virginia Tech on their respective Horse Judging Teams are no different. In addition to the fun and friendship these students enjoyed, they also acquired necessary skills and industry contacts which allowed them to achieve their career goals.

The following list of previous Virginia Tech Horse Judging Team members demonstrates their continued commitment to animal agriculture and the equine industry, and provides a reference for other alumni to catch up with their teammates!

If you are a Virginia Tech Horse Judging Team Alumnus and would like to update your information, or know of previous team members who might like to be included on this list, please contact Dr. Splan

Bette Brand (1982): Bette is the Regional Sales and Lending Manager for Farm Credit of the Virginias, which finances over $1 billion in agricultural properties and country homes in Virginia and West Virginia. Bette has also been extremely active in the Virginia Horse Council, holds a judges' card with POA and continues to judge open shows.

Kris (Kipping) Burks (1985-1988): Kris is currently employed with Quest Diagnostics Institute as a Cytogenetic Technologist, in Chantilly, VA. She spent 12 years as Manager of a Connemara Breeding program and stallion handler, as well as Surgical Tech for a veterinary practice.

Jessica Smith (1997-1999): Currently works as a Credit Analyst at the Southern States Headquarters. Jessica also competes as a Younger Amateur Owner on the A hunter circuit.

Casey Gaunt (2000): Currently attending Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

Mandi Moore (2000): Completing her Master's degree in Equine Reproduction at Colorado State University. Mandi will then continue with her doctoral work at CSU with in vitro fertilization in the horse.

H. B. Hunter (2000-2002): H.B. currently is employed as a dairy management consultant for Cargill Animal Nutrition in Morrisville, Vermont.

Erinn Oliphant (2000-2001): Erinn is currently working on her Master's degree in Animal Science at North Carolina State University.

Kim Smith (2001-2003): Upon graduation, Kim took an assistant barn manager position with a large hunter/jumper barn in Middleburg, Virginia.

Deborah Clay (2002-2003): Currently completing an internship with Morgan horses in Chazy, New York, in association with the Miner Institute.