Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: Nov. 14, 2006

 

UW students win honors at Little International Livestock Show

 

 

By Tiffany Schaffner

UW College of Agriculture Student Intern

 

University of Wyoming students Kelsie Speiser of Casper was selected grand champion showman and Jade Kane of Sheridan reserve champion at the 65th annual Little International Livestock Show Oct. 29.

The show, hosted by the UW Block and Bridle Club, was at UW’s Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Teaching Arena near Laramie. 

Speiser is the daughter of Julie Horsch and Dennis Speiser. She is a freshman majoring in microbiology. Kane is the son of David and Terri Kane.  He is a junior majoring in agriculture business.  Both are students in the College of Agriculture.  

The show began years ago as the final project for students in the livestock showing and fitting class in the College of Agriculture’s Department of Animal Science. 

 “I am surprised but very pleased to have won the Little I,” said Speiser. “At the beginning of October, my calf was a little wild, and she didn’t seem to get any better no matter how hard I worked with her. So, I was really surprised that she was so well-behaved during the show.”

            Students use techniques learned through the semester preparing, showing, and answering a judge's question about their animals.

            Students choose a heifer, lamb or pig from the Animal Science Livestock Center to work with during the semester and prepare for the show. At the show, the students participate in a showmanship class for their animals.  The top two winners of each species advance to the round robin competition where all species are shown and an overall grand champion showman is chosen. 

“My favorite part of the class was going to the barns and working with the heifers.  It got me away from the dorms and, because I was raised around animals, it reminded me a little of home.  It was also a great escape from the stress of homework and tests I had in other classes,” says Speiser. 

            The top two overall winners receive a belt buckle, and the top two winners from each species division receive $10 gift certificates.   

The UW Block and Bridle Club promotes leadership and public relations within the College of Agriculture and specifically within the Department of Animal Science.   The club also includes the Cowboy Joe Pony Handlers. 

For more information on the Little International Livestock Show, call (307) 766-2224 or visit www.uwyo.edu/Anisci/LittleI.asp

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