12 Schuylerville FFA members proudly represented their chapter and community on the national stage at the 2025 National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, IN, bringing together thousands of students, educators, and agricultural leaders from across the country.
Schuylerville High School senior Shane Barraclough earned one of the highest honors in agricultural education — being named a National FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science Placement. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional achievement and skill development through students’ Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs; hands-on experiences that allow students to apply classroom learning to real-world agricultural work.
State-winning proficiency applications advance to the national level, where they are reviewed by panels of judges. Each application is evaluated on specific criteria including the student’s goals, progress, skills gained, and overall impact. Applications are ranked gold, silver, or bronze, with the top four gold applicants in each area named national finalists. Finalists then participate in panel interviews with judges who assess their leadership, technical understanding, and personal growth within their chosen field.
After final scoring, one student from each proficiency area is selected as the National Winner, a distinction representing the highest level of accomplishment within agricultural education.
“This is one of the most celebrated moments of the year for FFA members nationwide,” said Schuylerville FFA Chapter Advisor, Mary Foote. “Shane’s recognition as a National Proficiency Winner marks not only a personal milestone for him, but also a proud moment for the Schuylerville FFA Chapter, which continues to provide students with opportunities to explore their passions and develop leadership skills that last a lifetime.”
Shane Barraclough’s Supervised Agricultural Experience
The Equine Science Placement category provides students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working within the horse industry under the supervision of an employer. These experiences may include horse care, anatomy, nutrition, health management, breeding, and facility operations — helping students build real-world skills while contributing to a thriving agricultural sector.
Barraclough’s award-winning SAE took place at his family’s farm, Saratoga Glen Farm, which specializes in breeding and raising foals for clients looking to develop future champions. Each year, approximately 35 mares give birth to foals that are raised for auction, supporting the ongoing development of elite thoroughbred bloodlines. Barraclough began working on the family farm in seventh grade, starting with simple chores like feeding and grooming mares. Over the years, his role has evolved dramatically. Today, he is entrusted with critical responsibilities, including administering most medications, monitoring horse health, recognizing early signs of illness or lameness, and even making strategic breeding decisions alongside his parents.
Barraclough’s daily work includes feeding, grooming, stall cleaning, and maintaining detailed health and development records for each horse. He also assists in coordinating breeding schedules, evaluating young horses, and preparing them for auction. Through this extensive hands-on experience, Barraclough gained a deep understanding of equine management, farm operations, and the business aspects of thoroughbred breeding and sales.
“Working in this environment deepened my understanding of thoroughbred breeding and sales, while also giving me the opportunity to contribute to the success of Saratoga Glen Farm,” he said. “When I got announced as a National FFA Proficiency Winner, I was shocked and proud at the same time. I knew that my hard work had paid off. This prestigious award will not only help me with college, but also with any of my future aspirations.”