The University of Florida Block and Bridle Club started the Fall 2001 semester with lots of enthusiasm and determination to have a great year.  We hosted our traditional New Member BBQ to welcome everyone back and to greet all the new members.  The event was filled with good food, great conversation, lots of fun, and even a piñata. 

The new members quickly began learning dairy, beef, equine, and swine showmanship in preparation of our Little International held in October at the Webb Pavilion.  At the show the new members had the opportunity to display everything they had learned and compete to be named the Grand Champion.  In addition to the livestock show, an auction was held to raise money to help fund the upcoming trip to National Convention.  Items such as hams, animal care products, belt buckles, and baked goods were available for sale.  The evening ended on an entertaining note with ‘Faculty Frolics.’  Animal Science faculty members competed in events such as a milking contest and blindfolded wheelbarrow race with the hopes of being recognized as the most skilled faculty member.

The club was fortunate enough to send sixteen delegates to the National Block and Bridle Convention located in Louisville, KY.   Besides being a great learning experience and lots of fun, the attending members felt pride in our chapter for being awarded the first place award for the Chapter Scrapbook.  Other events such as Cowboys and Cowgirls for Kids at Shands Hospital for Halloween, our annual Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive, and the various college-wide organizational fairs kept members busy throughout the fall semester. 

The spring semester brought the return of many traditional events and the creation of some new activities.  Members returned to the Florida State Fair to help handle livestock and assist in any way possible at the State FFA and 4-H Livestock Judging Contest.  In addition, the annual Cowboy/Cowgirl Auction took place.  Hunting trips, baked goods, and various services were sold as part of the club’s biggest fundraiser of the semester.  Other traditional events were the Ray Kempfer Memorial Sporting Clay Shoot, the UF Beef Cattle Shortcourse, the Florida Cattlemen’s Steakout Dinner, and the Spring Bash.

The new activities created included Ag Olympics.  Teams from throughout the College of Agriculture competed in events such as post-hole digging, broom handle barrel race and a boot scramble.  The club also held a Cow Patty Bingo.  This entertaining form of fundraising was one of the club’s efforts to raise money for the Dr. Leak and Dr. Kunkle scholarship funds. 

The year came to a close with the Spring Awards Banquet held in conjunction with the Dairy Science Club.  Members of both organizations were recognized for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.  The judging teams and faculty members were also honored at the event.  This year, the club recognized Dr. West, Dr. Leak, and Dr. Kunkle as Honorary Members for all the support they have provided the club and its members.