Eastern Oregon 4H and FFA earn top marks at 2025 state fair

By Garrett Christensen on Friday, September 5th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION & MALHEUR COUNTIES – The 2025 Oregon State fair came and went. Between August 20 and September 1, members of the Union County 4H, as well as various Union and Malheur County FFA chapters, went above and beyond in representing Eastern Oregon.

For the local 4H performance, Union County had four members competing in equine competitions: Senior competitors Keelie Jones, Reese Feldhause, and Briella Feldhaus, and intermediate competitor Abrianna Meeks. Union 4H Horse Super Intendant TJ Jones recently shared their final state fair rankings:

Intermediate Showmanship: Abrianna Meeks, 1st place and a medallion (highest ranking at state fair)
Senior Jumping: Keelie Jones, 1st and a Medallion (highest ranking at state fair)
Senior Reinsmanship Driving: Reese Feldhaus, 1st place and a medallion (highest ranking at state fair)
Senior Precision Driving: Brielle Feldhaus 1st place and a medallion, (highest ranking at state fair)
Senior Yearling Colt: Reese Feldhaus, 1st place and a medallion (highest ranking at state fair)
English Dressage Training Level Test 2: Abrianna Meeks 1st place and a medallion (highest ranking at state fair)
Western Dressage Basic Level Test 2: Abrianna Meeks 1st place and a medallion (highest ranking at state fair)

TJ Jones also shared some more information about the 4H members and expressed her excitement in seeing them shine at state fair:

“Keelie, Briella and Reese have been to the state fair multiple times now. Briella in the past has medallioned in showmanship and Keelie was the 2nd in the State again last year in FFA. This is Abrianna’s first year at the State Fair and won several Medallions. This is Keelie’s final year to compete and went out with a bang in FFA! So proud and excited for all these kids and their accomplishments! Many thanks to their parents for supporting them with equine dreams!

Keelie Jones and Abrianna Meeks are from the Rhythm Riders 4H group and Briella and Reese Feldhaus are from the Latte Sippin Lopers!”

Alongside the 4H rankings was an equally exceptional showing from local FFA members. Keelie Jones as part of Union FFA, alongside Brooke Eckstein from Elgin FFA, had the following rankings in horse showmanship as provided by TJ:

FFA Showmanship: Keelie Jones Reserve Champion in the State Division II
FFA Western Pleasure: Keelie Jones 3rd Place Division II
Western Equitation: Keeli Jones 4th Place Division II
FFA English Pleasure: Keelie Jones 2nd Place Reserve High Point Division II & Brooke Eckstein 3rd Place Division II
FFA English Equitation: Keelie Jones 2nd Place Reserve High Point Division
Division II Overall Reserve State FFA Showman: Keelie Jones

Union county weren’t the only ones to make top rankings in FFA equine competitions. The Oregon FFA recently announced that Ontario FFA member Azure Porter made the following rankings:

Division II Overall High Point: Azure Porter, Ontario FFA
Division II English Highpoint: Azure Porter, Ontario FFA
Division II Western Highpoint: Azure Porter, Ontario FFA
Division II Champion Showman: Azure Porter, Ontario FFA

Beyond the equine competition, the Imbler FFA chapter came in second place overall in the Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event while Imbler FFA member Joseph Bingaman earned the following rankings during the rabbit exhibition:

Best in Rabbit Show: Josephine Bingaman, Imbler FFA
Grand Champion Rabbit Showman: Josephine Bingaman, Imbler FFA
Champion Advanced Rabbit Showman: Josephine Bingaman, Imbler FFA

Congratulations to all Eastern Oregon FFA and 4H members!