MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County Special Olympics equestrian team returned to Moultrie from the 2008 Special Olympics State Horse Show held Nov. 7-9 in Perry with a number of medals.

The team includes 14 special athletes; six partners representing Willie J. Williams Middle School and Colquitt County High School); five coaches; five chaperones/volunteers; and five horses.

New in this year’s state show was a free style drill in which special athletes and traditional partners rode together in a three-minute pattern put the music.

The event was the only one in which the partners were allowed to participate.

The drill was held before the opening ceremonies.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, athletes competed in showmanship and Western horsemanship.

On the final day, they competed in trail.

Each athlete entered three events.

In the free style drill:

• Riding to “Tomorrow” (from Annie) in Beginner IA – sixth Place: Kathryn Walker (athlete) on Jasper with Emily Goff (partner) on Roy

• Riding to “God Bless the USA” in beginner LA – second Place: Jessica Harris (athlete) on Pilgrim with Virginia Baker (partner) on Rocky.

• Riding to “Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head” in Beginner II – first place: Jonteria Mathis (athlete) on Roy with Mandy Davidson (partner) on Jasper.

• Riding to “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” in Intermediate I – sixth Place: James Moxley (athlete) on Pilgrim with Ashlee Parrish on Rocky.

• Riding to “The Greatest” in Intermediate I – fifth Place: James Palmore (athlete) on Roy with Meagan Smith (partner) on Jasper.

• Riding to “Happy Trails To You” in Intermediate I – third Place: Rebecca Hampton (athlete) on Roy with Kirsten Holton (partner) on Brownie.