Animal Science Department

• Block and Bridle Club
• Cal Poly Dressage Team
• Cal Poly Equestrian Team
• Cutting and Reining Club
• Livestock Judging Team
• Poultry Club
• Veterinary Science Club
• Young Cattlemen's Club

The Cal Poly Block and Bridle Club has represented the animal science department for 58 years. The club is open to students of all majors interested in learning about livestock and agricultural activities. Students enjoy hands-on activities at any of the six animal units. Club activities include field trips, guest speakers and fundraisers. Club members attend the Annual National Block and Bridle Convention, visit agricultural operations around California, sponsor an annual blood drive, participate in Ag Beautification Day, make and market linguisa and have booths at Open House, Farm City Nights and Cal Poly's Club Fair. For more information about Block and Bridle at Cal Poly, contact the adviser.

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The Cal Poly Dressage Team is a member of the Intercollegiate Dressage Association, and 2003-04 was the team's first year of official competition. In its first year the team traveled to IDA's National Championships held at Cazenovia College in upstate New York, the team finished ninth in the nation.

At competitions, the host school provides the horses used. A drawing at the beginning of the competition assigns horses and riders, and the riders are then given ten minutes to warm up the horses before entering the ring.

The team is advised by animal science professor and veterinarian Jaymie Noland.

Contact information: Dr. Jaymie Noland

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The Cutting and Reining Club provides students with the opportunity to meet and interact with students interested in horses. The club supports the Equine Center and other equine related activities on campus. The club holds beautification days at the Equine Center, which benefit the center and provide students with the opportunity to gain experience with Cal Poly's equine program. The club invites numerous guest speakers from the equine industry to speak at club meetings. The club holds a stick horse team penning, tours of breeding farms and holds numerous barbecues and other social events for club members. The club travels to Mule Days in Bishop, California each year.

For more information about the Cutting and Reining club, contact the club president.

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Coach: Erin Thompson

The Cal Poly Livestock Judging Team competes at the Arizona National in Phoenix, the National Western Stock Show in Denver, the Houston Livestock Show, the Ft. Worth Stock Show, the Cow Palace in San Francisco, the American Royal in Kansas City and the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville. Team members compete and attend rigorous practices Jan.1 through Nov. 30. A team consists of five members and each member has one year of competition eligibility. No previous experience is required but is recommended. The team dedicates numerous hours to practice where they sharpen their decision making and public speaking skills. The livestock judging team represents Cal Poly nationally through competition at the livestock shows and members get the opportunity to learn more about livestock and the livestock industry.

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The Poultry Club works to promote the poultry management minor through interactive participation with alumni and industry. The club provides students the opportunity to learn more about the poultry industry while meeting other students with shared interests. The club participates in community outreach through its booths at both Open House held each spring and Farm City Nights held each fall at Farmers' Market. The club also invites numerous guest speakers from the poultry industry to speak at club meetings. In addition to these activities, the club has an annual Turkey Banquet and holds numerous barbecues for club members. For more information about the Poultry Club, contact the adviser, Dr. Robert Spiller.

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The Veterinary Science Club provides a society for all student, faculty and staff interested in the broad field of veterinary medicine and allied professions. The club provides a booth and provides tours of the on campus veterinary clinic at Cal Poly's annual Open House. In addition, the club organizes a trip to visit the College of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis each year as well as visits to local veterinary clinics. The club also presents hands-on laboratories and invites guest speakers to help improve students' interaction with veterinary professionals and veterinary practices. For more information about the Veterinary Science Club, contact one of the advisers, Dr. Jaymie Noland or Dr. William Plummer.

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Cal Poly is home to the Southern Region of California Young Cattlemen. The Young Cattlemen's Association is an affiliate of California Cattlemen's Association, the beef industry trade association. Young Cattlemen's allows students to get involved with the California beef industry and gain an understanding of the issues that face the industry. Club members hold barbecues, go on ranch tours, attend monthly San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen's meetings, attend the annual California Cattlemen's Association Convention and Mid-Year Meeting and help with activities at the California State Fair. The club also helps to send students to the annual National Cattlemen's Beef Association Convention. In addition to these activities, club members are also eligible for a number of statewide scholarships. For more information about the Young Cattlemen’s Club at Cal Poly, contact the adviser, Mike Hall.

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