Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: May 15, 2006

 

Pony up with UW Cowboy Joe handler program

By Tiffany Schaffner, Intern

Agricultural Communications and Technology

UW College of Agriculture

How can a brown and white pony standing less than 4-foot tall be loved by so many University of Wyoming fans?  For one man, it is the memory of riding the first Shetland pony ever donated to UW as its mascot, Cowboy Joe, he holds so near and dear to his heart. 

“One morning while the pony was feeding, I got on its back and he bucked me off right straight into the air!” recalled Tom Davidson of his childhood years growing up on the College of Agriculture farm in West Laramie.

Davidson is an avid supporter of the Cowboy Joe pony program including the Wyoming Block and Bridle Club members who care for the pony and handle him during football games and other events.

Davidson, of Mukwonago, Wis., graduated from UW in 1961 with a degree in agricultural education and science. He and his wife, Ann, annually donate monetarily to the university, but his dedication doesn’t stop there.  Davidson also gathers donations every year for the Cowboy Joe Club to keep the pony program kicking. 

“After attending the university on a scholarship and living at the farm, I feel compelled to come back and return some of that,” Davidson said.

Davidson spent many hours feeding livestock and helping his father, Jim, at the UW farm, where Jim served for 36 years as the shepherd. At the time, the farm was at the present site of the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site. 

“We learned a lot from our father as he was recognized as one of the best shepherds in the country,” remembered Davidson. 

These fond memories helped draw Davidson back to Laramie and the university.

 “Tom Davidson is an amazing man with tons of energy who helps support the college in every avenue possible,” stated Pepper Jo Six, College of Agriculture recruitment coordinator.  

Davidson’s contributions are making available scholarships for the Cowboy Joe handlers each year.  

“Getting donations for the new Cowboy Joe mascot program has not been difficult; not only is there a lot of pride involved, but knowing there are scholarships given to the handlers is great incentive for donors,” Davidson said. 

For the 2005-06 school year, five students received $500 scholarships by being actively involved in the Cowboy Joe program. 

“We would like to thank Tom for helping us further our education and making us feel appreciated,” said Concetta Brown, one of the pony handlers. 

Brown, a junior from Cheyenne and a rangeland ecology and watershed management major in the College of Agriculture and a wildlife management minor, has been a pony handler for slightly more than a year.

“I started because it is fun. I thought it would be neat to be involved with the tradition, and the little devil is really cute,” Brown said.

Last school year’s pony handlers and scholarship recipients included Brown; Claire Buckingham, a junior from Kaycee majoring in biology; Glenda McKim, a senior from Fallbrook, Calif., majoring in animal and veterinary sciences; Kari Kontour of Casper, a senior majoring in English; and Laura Pelto of Cheyenne, who graduated last fall with an agricultural business degree. 

A new face was added to the team for the upcoming school year – Katie Price of Wheatland, a junior majoring in agriculture business, will replace Kontour.

The Block and Bridle Club in the College of Agriculture monitors the Cowboy Joe handlers, who help feed, water and care for the pony as well as handle him during football games and special events, but the applicants need not be enrolled in an agriculture major.

“The Department of Animal Science and the Block and Bridle Club are proud to be a part of the Cowboy Joe tradition and provide the housing for the mascot, the opportunity for the handlers to gain experience with managing horses and the opportunity to promote agriculture and Wyoming’s ranching heritage,” said Professor Doug Hixon, head of the animal science department.

Hixon is adviser of the handler program. He is assisted by Keith Underwood, Ph.D. student in animal science from Shallowater, Texas. Adviser of the Block and Bridle Club is animal science Professor Dan Rule.

Any UW student who is a member of the Block and Bridle Club can apply to become a handler and receive a scholarship. Handlers must maintain a 2.75 grade point average. 

“You don’t have to have any previous experience with horses, so we encourage anyone who is interested to submit an application,” Brown said.

The Cowboy Joe handlers have worked closely with Davidson to steer the pony program in the right direction. “We really appreciate all the work Tom has done for us in helping us get the pony in the public’s eye and all,” Brown said.

Living in Wisconsin doesn’t stop this dedicated alum from being involved in UW.  About five times a year, Davidson and Ann visit Laramie and participate in various board meetings and athletic anniversaries.

Davidson attended UW on a track scholarship and also played freshman basketball. He now serves on the UW Foundation Board and the College of Agriculture, College of Business, and UWyo magazine advisory boards.  Ann, also a UW graduate, serves on the UW Art Museum Board.

 “We think it is important to come back and be a part of the university that gave so much to us,” said Tom Davidson. “The university gave me a wonderful base for my career, and the success I had in my working career can be related directly back to my degree from the College of Agriculture.” 

After graduating, Davidson pursued a career in vocational agriculture education.  He taught in Wyoming for five years before accepting a position with The National Future Farmer magazine in Washington, D.C, as its advertising manager. 

Davidson then moved to Chicago where he worked for Swift & Co. in its public relations department. During the next 32 years, he was employed by major national farm and consumer magazines in the Chicago area. These included Progressive Farmer, Southern Living, Successful Farming, Better Homes and Gardens, and Good Housekeeping. 

The couple are now retired. When asked why they haven’t moved back to Wyoming, he responded, “We are only 100 miles away from our five grandchildren.”    

Davidson hopes to continue supporting the Cowboy Joe program for many years through his dedication and donations. He hopes, too, that alumni near and far will remember the friends they made at UW who are still a part of their lives, the education that enabled them to build successful careers and the 4-foot-tall pony named Cowboy Joe who runs across the end zones each time the Pokes score.

“I’m very proud of this new pony program and the opportunity to help the handlers,” Davidson said.

For more information about the Cowboy Joe Club or to make a donation to the handler program, please contact the club at (307) 766-6242 or cowboyjoe@uwyo.edu.

Information about the Cowboy Joe handler program, including an application to become a part of the program, is available on the Department of Animal Science’s Web site at http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/Anisci/CowboyJoeHandlers.asp.

 

Tiffany Schaffner is a UW senior majoring in agricultural communications. She is from Yampa, Colo.

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