Kyriana Beard of the Stillwater FFA Chapter earned top honors in the Animal Systems Agriscience Research Proficiency category. Reflecting on her long-term project with senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays, Kyriana explained, “Starting in eighth grade, I had started my first research project with horses, and all of my projects are around finding different exercise tolerance and fitness indicators that we could use on performance horses… to see if what we are doing is safe.” Her work has focused on measuring heart rate, blood lactate, and serum amyloid A in horses to evaluate exercise impact and overall health.
Through years of research, Kyriana discovered both a love for science and a clear direction for her future. “I learned that I really like research and that I am excited to continue to do research in college,” she said, noting that her studies have prepared her for her next goal: veterinary school. Now an animal science pre-vet major at LSU, she continues to apply the research skills and discipline gained through her agriscience projects.
Kyriana’s findings emphasized the importance of consistent training for equine health. “The overarching theme of all of my projects is that consistency in exercising these horses was the most important,” she shared. “Horses that were exercised at least three to four times per week were able to have more stamina… Find that happy medium where you can keep those horses safe and longevity, where they can ride for several years and stay in the show pen and be good active horses.”
Her lifelong connection to horses also shaped her passion for veterinary medicine. “I have grown up showing horses… I showed in western dressage and dressage,” Kyriana said. “My love for the veterinary aspect of just helping these horses, and honestly, all animals, not just horses,” grew through her placement experiences in equine rehabilitation. Looking ahead, she hopes to “stay in rural Oklahoma… and have a mixed animal practice in a rural area,” adding humbly, “I want to be a vet that doesn’t want to make very much money… to help producers that don’t want to spend a whole lot.”
Kyriana credits FFA for helping shape her character and work ethic. “I started FFA in eighth grade… I was fortunate enough to be the chapter president,” she recalled, participating in everything from livestock judging to agriscience fairs. “FFA has shaped me into the person that I am, and no doubt, given me the entirety of the skill sets that I have.” To younger members, her advice is simple but heartfelt: “If you’re passionate about something, dive fully into it and never stop working hard… never forget about the people that helped you get there, because you didn’t ever get there by yourself.”
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