Block and Bridle to host Little North American Showmanship Classic
Photo: Eloisa Perez-Lozano/Iowa State Daily
Elizabeth Ann Coughlin, senior in animal science, middle, talks to horse superintendent Lisa Nelson about her performance during the practice for the Little North American Livestock Show on Thursday, Oct. 13, at the horse arena south of Frederiksen Court. In a showmanship show like the LNA, you show your horse through a pre-selected pattern of tasks that can include walking, trotting, setting up, backing up and pivoting.
October 13, 2011
As College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Week comes to a close, a signature club of the animal science department will host its 92nd consecutive Little North American Showmanship Classic on Saturday.
Block and Bridle is one of the largest student organizations within the College of Agriculture, with more than 500 members. Boasting more than 25 committees, Block and Bridle organizes many events throughout the year, from setting up the Spring Market Hog Show to selling summer sausage and cheese for its annual fundraiser.
Adair Boysen, senior in animal science, has been involved since her freshman year and currently serves as the club’s president.
“Block and Bridle has a reputation for putting on great events and developing leaders within the animal science industry, and I wanted to be a part of it,” Boysen said.
Block and Bridle is a national organization with chapters in 92 colleges. Iowa State’s chapter recently had a record-setting number of inductees with 244 new freshmen joining this fall.
Eliza Driskill, freshman in agricultural and life sciences education, recently was inducted into Block and Bridle.
“I got involved with Block and Bridle because I love livestock and I wanted to learn more about it,” Driskill said. “In high school, I was involved in 4-H and FFA, which I think are related to Block and Bridle because I showed cattle and hogs. By being in those clubs, I learned how to work with others, which is what you have to do when you are in a club as large as Block and Bridle is.”
However, there is more to Block and Bridle than just livestock.
“Block and Bridle is a great way to meet new people and gain leadership experience,” Boysen said. “I’ve met so many wonderful people who I have continued to be friends with today.”
On Saturday, Block and Bridle will put on the LNA Showmanship Classic. Students within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences can sign up to show an animal from five different species, including dairy, equine, swine, sheep and beef. Students then work with their animals for four weeks to prepare the animals to be shown.
“It is a great opportunity for students to get hands-on experience with animals as they take responsibility for their respective projects,” Boysen said.
CALS Week will conclude with the Block and Bridle Little North American Showmanship Classic at Kildee Pavilion at 8 a.m. Admission is free.
