At just the age of 7, Zoee Lawson knew she wanted to be around horses in every aspect of life.
Lawson is now 17 years old at Lamar High School and has two horses of her own: a mare named Brownsugar and a gelding named Smokey. In 2022, she joined her local agriculture class and started her first Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in equine science, which included caring for her and her two cousins’ horses.
That’s not where Lawson stopped, though. She started a new SAE and journey in Arkansas High School Rodeo, where she travels across the state and competes in rodeos with some of the best.
Lawson and her mare, Brownsugar, getting ready to compete in a high school rodeo in March 2024.
Lawson was then awarded a gold-ranking state proficiency award in equine science this past April at the Arkansas State FFA Convention & Expo. She has spent the last two years logging all her time taking care of her horses to get this award. On average, she spends at least two hours a day working her horses and getting them ready for rodeo season. This hard work has paid off for her, as she got a silver-ranking national proficiency in 2023. She hopes to continue progressing in her knowledge that has led her this far, and thanks everyone who has helped her get here.
Lawson with her awards at the 97th Arkansas State FFA Convention & Expo.
Lawson advises anyone wanting to start an SAE in equine science not to hesitate to ask for help.
“Sometimes the only way you can get to where you want to be is by asking, even when it’s hard to,” she says. “Continue to strive and chase your dreams because they can become your reality.”
Lawson hopes to continue working with her horses and helping others with theirs for as long as possible. She believes using her horses in her SAE allowed her to stay motivated because she was truly passionate about them. She hopes everyone, both old and new to FFA, can be encouraged by her story to start an SAE about something they find true passion in.
Leave A Comment