Department of Animal Sciences
Building 459, Shealy Drive
P.O. Box 110910
Gainesville, FL 32611-0910

The University of Florida Block and Bridle Club began their 2000 Fall semester jam-packed with outstanding leadership, educational, and social activities. In September, we kicked off the new semester with our infamous New Member BBQ, in which old and new members alike enjoyed tasty food and good company. The new members then began the rigorous routine of learning horse, beef cattle, dairy cattle, and swine showmanship for six weeks in preparation for our Little International.

In October, the show was held at the Cecil M. Webb Livestock Pavilion where new members showed off their showmanship skills to members, family, and faculty. An auction, which included hams, steaks, pharmaceuticals, horse products, and services, was held during the show to help raise money for members to attend national convention. The faculty, club advisors, and officers were even allowed to partake in the fun as they competed in "Faculty Frolics" that included a showmanship event with competitors showing turkeys with hog canes. Other events in October included the Cowboys/Cowgirls for Kids at Shands Hospital on Halloween, a field trip to the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, and a tailgating party for the UF/UGA football game in Jacksonville, Florida.

In November, we designed and built a homecoming float for the televised Gator Homecoming Parade. We also held a canned food drive for Thanksgiving and donated those items to a local food bank in Gainesville. The club was present at many public relations events during the semester and was able to interact with numerous college students, high school students, and the general public about our organization. Club members helped to make the first annual UF Bull Testing Center Bull Sale a great success as they sorted bulls in and out of the auction ring. In addition, the club held several major social events, including intramural softball, football block seating and a Christmas party.

In January, eleven delegates represented the club at the 2001 National Block and Bridle Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. UF Block and Bridle took home a first place award for their Chapter Scrapbook, second place for National Outstanding Senior, and a representative from UF was picked for the Collegiate Livestock Leaders Institute 2001 Beef Class. Members conducted showmanship and grooming clinics for local FFA and 4-H clubs across the state of Florida during the early part of the year. The Block & Bridle Club made its presence known at the Florida State Fair in February. The State 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging and Horse Judging Contests ran smoothly thanks to the concerted efforts of the club members who handled livestock, tabulated scores, and served as assistants to the official committees. The biggest fundraiser for the semester was the Cowboy/Cowgirl Auction held in late March, in which members auctioned off donated items. Other major events included the Ray Kempfer Memorial Sporting Clay Shoot, the UF Beef Cattle Short Course and Cattlemen's Steak-Out Dinner, and a beach bash at the end of the semester, all of which were a complete success!

The year ended with the Spring Awards Banquet, which was held to honor the achievements of club members, judging teams, and faculty. This year, the club recognized Dr. Tracy Hoover as an Honorary Member for her generous support of the club, its members and activities.

2000-2001 Officer Team
President: Natalie Lamneck (F), Mary Beth Riley (S)
Vice-President: Amber Grigsby (F), Brian Dillard (S)
Secretary: Holly Hamner (F), Katie Jones (S)
Treasurer: Brent Lawrence
Reporter: Fawn Grigsby
New Member Coordinator: Mary Beth Riley (F), Jodi Mock (S)
Marshall: Zach Conlin (F), Jason Hayford (S)
Scrapbook Editor: Danielle Schultz
Activities Editor: Christy Caldwell
Photographer: Michelle Alday (F), Laura Jonavich (S)
Food Chair: Colleen O'Donnell (F), Christy Pritchett (S)
Florida Cattlemen's Association Representative: Noah Handley (F), Zach Conlin (S)
Student Agricultural Council Representatives: John Hall (F), Brad Austin (F), Christy Biggy (F), Wendy Burton (S), Laura Lee Black (S), Sandra White (S), Liz Yelvington (S)
Faculty Advisors: Ms. Sylvia Beauchamp, Dr. Tim Marshall, Mr. Joel McQuagge