FFA students don’t slow down when summer arrives. Many spend their break completing Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, putting classroom lessons into practice in real-world settings.

YourAgEdge invited local agriculture advisers to nominate two students for an SAE spotlight series. Today’s feature highlights a standout from Todd Central FFA: Jesslyn Ezell.

Ezell works at Wild Brez Feed Store in Todd County, where her SAE focuses on equine care. The store, which specializes in horse feed and supplements, was opened in 2020 by Tammy Robertson after she struggled to find high-quality feed locally. Wild Brez also employs a nutritionist to help customers select the right feed for their animals. The store carries a wide range of products, from livestock feed to aquatic animal nutrition.

At Wild Brez, Ezell can be found running the register, stocking shelves and helping with other tasks. Her passion for the equine industry runs deep.

“I’ve been riding [horses] since before I could remember,” Ezell said.

Her mother has been involved with horses her entire life, competing on Murray State University’s equestrian team and serving as Racer 1 — the thoroughbred that gallops around the track after touchdowns at Murray State football games.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Ezell has competed in barrel racing and show jumping and has also taught horseback riding lessons.

A junior at Todd County Central High School, Ezell has been an FFA member since her freshman year. She joined, she said, because agriculture has always been a part of her life. Before her involvement, equine activities were not a major focus of Todd Central’s FFA chapter. Ezell helped change that by getting her chapter involved in horse judging and horsemanship competitions.

After graduation, Ezell hopes to pursue a career in either the equine industry or the medical field.

You can listen to the full interview below: