As we begin this Spring Semester, the UWRF Equine Program would like to welcome all our students, staff and other partners back to campus! Each issue of the UWRF Equi-Updates this semester will provide comprehensive updates from our Equine Program, including briefings from our faculty, highlights of student internships, news from campus organizations and competitive teams, and recognition the alumni achievements. We look forward to all that 2026 has in store for our UWRF equine community!
Notes from Faculty & Staff
Dr. Jen Weinert-Nelson Assistant Professor Equine Program Director
I am so excited to welcome you all back to campus for this 2026 Spring Semester!
This spring marks the 50th Anniversary of our Colts-In-Training Program. We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with our current students, alumni, industry supporters, and the broader campus and equine communities. The spring also is the time when our Equine Breeding Program is in full swing. Our breeding program is set to foal out 10 mares this season!
And of course, we have other exciting courses and events in the coming months, including our farrier training course, the conclusion of the competitive season for our IHSA Teams spring season for our Rodeo Team, the spring season for our Rodeo Team, and the start of new practices for our UWRF Ranch Horse Club. UWRF will also host the FFA Ag Tech judging contest later this spring.
For this edition of our Equi-Updates Newsletter, we open the semester by both looking forward and honoring the past. We first give recognition to one of our Emeriti Faculty who was instrumental in the
development of the UWRF Equine Program. As many of you know, I am an alumnus of this program, and Larry Kasten played a pivotal role in my growth as a student and a young equine professional. I am so grateful to see Larry honored by the National Reining Horse Association and to share the news of this much-deserved recognition with you all.
Larry Kasten
Emeritus Faculty 2025 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Congratulations to Emeriti Faculty member Larry Kasten on being awarded the 2025 NRHA Dale Wilkinson Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest distinctions in the sport of reining. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals whose lifelong contributions through competition, education,
leadership, and mentorship have had a lasting positive impact on reining and the broader horse industry.
Larry Kasten served in the UWRF Animal Science Department from 1973 to 2006, where he was the cornerstone of the Equine Program. During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing key program areas, including Horse Production, Advanced Western Horsemanship, Equine Evaluation, the nationally recognized Colts-in-Training Program, and the current IHSA Show Teams. In addition, he placed hundreds of UWRF students in equine internships and post-graduation employment opportunities
One of his signature contributions was his long-term leadership of the Colts-in-Training course, along with organizing and directing the first 30 annual Colts-in-Training Sales, which showcased student-trained horses and became a defining tradition of the program.
Beyond the classroom, Kasten made significant contributions to the horse industry. He trained competitive reining horses, was a finalist in the NRHA Futurity, and won the Limited Open division of the NRHA Super Stakes. As an accredited AQHA and NRHA judge, he shared his expertise at major events.
By the time of his retirement, Larry Kasten had helped shape UWRF’s equine program into one of the most respected in the country. Alumni consistently cite him as a defining figure in their education, and the courses, facilities, and traditions he helped establish—especially the Colts-in-Training program and sale—remain central to UWRF’s identity in animal and equine science.
Rachael Walker
Lecturer – Equine Evaluation, Hunt Seat Riding
IHSA Hunt Seat Team Coach
Welcome back to a new semester! I'm looking forward to having many of you in my classes: the Introductory Equitation class, Advanced Equitation class, Equine Evaluation, and the Animal Science 100 labs!
I am also looking forward to the conclusion of the IHSA regular season show, and our continuation into postseason. Both the Hunt and Western teams will finish out
their season and compete at Regionals the weekend of February 20-22.
Welcome back to campus, and welcome back to classes! Let's hope the weather gets steadily warmer as we head into spring. If you see me around, please say hi!
Levi Dulmes Interim Barn Manager
Welcome back for the spring semester! Over J-term we’ve been working on many projects around the farm including new footing in the dry lots, painting projects all over the farm, and making sure the facilities are ready for returning students and new horses arriving! The UWRF farm workers worked hard during a cold and snowy J-term to make sure our schoolies are warm, happy, and healthy, and we are all excited for students to return!
We have many exciting things happening at the farm this semester including the arrival of 50 colts for the 50th Anniversary of the Colts in Training program, 10 mares foaling out, farrier classes, and multiple educational and 4H events! These next few months will go by fast, so my advice is to soak it all in, take advantage of all the opportunities UWRF has to offer, and enjoy this exciting semester!
Feature: 50th Anniversary Colts In Training Sale
The University of Wisconsin–River Falls is proud to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the UWRF Colts in Training Program, a nationally recognized, hands-on
equine training experience that has shaped students, horses, and the horse industry for five decades.
The milestone will be marked with the 50th Anniversary UWRF Colts in Training Sale, a live auction held Saturday, May 2, showcasing the results of months of dedicated student work and professional instruction.
During the sale, 40 UWRF students will present the horses they have personally trained throughout the semester as part of the Colts in Training course. The program emphasizes safe, progressive colt starting and performance horse development, providing students with real-world experience that translates directly to careers in the equine industry
This year’s offering includes primarily Western performance horses, featuring mostly 2-year-olds, along with a select group of aged performance horses and UWRF lesson horses. Each horse reflects the program’s long-standing commitment to quality training, sound horsemanship, and responsible horse development.
The UWRF Colts in Training Class and Sale is led by Nathan O’Connor, who is celebrating his 20th year directing the program. Under O’Connor’s leadership, the Colts in Training Program has continued to evolve while maintaining its strong foundation in education, horse welfare, and industry relevance
“For 50 years, the Colts in Training Program has been about more than just training horses,” said O’Connor “It’s about developing students into capable, thoughtful horsemen and horsewomen who are prepared to succeed in a wide range of equine careers.”
The Colts in Training Program has earned a reputation across the Midwest and beyond for producing well-started, reliable horses and graduates who are highly sought after in the horse industry.
More information about the program, sale horses, and event details can be found on our Colts In Training Website and on Facebook.
UWRF Internship Spotlight
This semester, we will be following one of our UWRF students, Autumn Gilbertson as she completes a six-month internship at an equine reproduction facility in Oklahoma. Each month, Autumn will update us on all the new skills and great experiences she is gaining through her internship opportunity. Read on for her first report!
Autumn Gilbertson – Royal Vista Southwest
Hello, my name is Autumn Gilbertson! I am a third-year student majoring in Equine Sciences, on the Pre-Veterinary Medicine track. My ultimate career goal is to become a large animal veterinarian, specializing in the equine industry. I am very interested in the reproductive side of the industry, and I hope to immerse myself in this specialty to learn as much as can throughout my undergraduate years.
Knowing internships can be a great way to explore different niches in a career path. I will be completing a 6-month-long internship in equine reproduction! This semester, I am one of seven college and recent college graduates interning with Royal Vista Southwest, located in Purcell, Oklahoma. Royal Vista Southwest specializes in Embryo Transfers, along with Embryo Vitrification, ICSI, and Mare Management. They have a team of 5 full-time veterinarians, who are on call and ready to assist in case of any emergencies. Trained Foaling Attendant Interns provide 24-hour observation and foaling assistance to all their pregnant mares. Royal Vista Southwest has focused on Equine Reproduction since 2000. Boasting industry- leading pregnancy rates, they are able to offer a live foal guarantee
As a Foaling Attendant Intern, I will be watching over all of the pregnant mares, including udder development monitoring, behavior monitoring, and administering needed medications. I will also be assisting with foaling, including checking the foal's position in the birth canal, providing support during active labor, drying and simulating the foal, determining and identifying sex, color, and markings. Interns also assist the veterinarians in and out of the lab with palpating mares, culture swabs, bandages, embryo flushes, aspirations, and embryo transfers.
I am very excited to begin this internship, and I’m especially looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in the foaling process. I know that being a part of a foal’s first moments and a mare’s first moments with her foal will be something that I remember and treasure forever. I am very grateful and excited to have this opportunity and cannot wait to learn more and share my journey!
Campus Connections & Team Updates
IHSA HUNT SEA
The season with a success 21–23 at the UWRF Lab Farm. The team earned HighPoint Team honors on Saturday and Reserve High-Point Team on Friday, highlighting a weekend of strong
performances and great teamwork. Throughout the season, our riders continued to grow both in and out of the show ring, making this a fun and rewarding competitive year
To celebrate the end of the semester, the team recently gathered for a Christmas party, where members enjoyed games, laughter, and time together outside of competition. We are proud of everything our rider accomplished to far this season and grateful for the hard w a success. W during this Spring Semest
IHSA WESTERN TEAM
The UWRF Western Team finished off the Fall Semester with a busy few weekends! First, we traveled up to North Dakota State University in Fargo and competed for three consecutive days at their equine facility. We took home Reserve Highpoint Team each day, and we congratulate Aubrey Arnold and Eli Boe for earning Reserve High Point Rider on Friday and Sunday respectively!
Next, we geared up and prepared Lab Farm 1 for our annual Home Show! We cleaned, dusted, swept, pinned, and prepped to put our best foot forward, and boy did we ever! We again took Reserve Highpoint Team each day, and congratulations to Aubrey Arnold for earning Highpoint Rider on Saturday, and Maclaine Heilman, Eli Boe, and Cady Ninnemann for their Reserve Highpoint Rider on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
We are very proud of each and every rider on this team and are excited to get back in the saddle after break to prepare for our last show and postseason!
RODEO CLUB
The UW-River Falls Rodeo Team wrapped up a fantastic fall season, showcasing hard work, talent, and dedication at every rodeo. Team members competed in multiple events and represented UWRF with pride, and they ’re already looking forward to an even stronger spring season ahead.
The Rodeo Club also stayed busy last fall with fun events on campus. One of the highlights was hosting an NFR watch party, where members enjoyed great food, lots of laughs, and even better company. It was a perfect way to bring students together, celebrate the sport, and build excitement for the upcoming spring rodeos.
Rodeo Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Our first meeting of the semester is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3rd at 7 pm. Come join us!
EPTA
EPTA has big plans for this spring semester. Our first meeting is February 4th at 6 PM in AGSCI 331. We will be discussing session times and upcoming events, along with a fun activity! We hope to see you all there! We are continuing our rope halter fundraiser as well! We have halters in purple, maroon or turquoise. They are $12 each.
Please email equine.pta@uwrf.edu if you are interested!
The UWRF Ranch Horse Club is excited to kick off a new year of learning, growth, and riding together starting at the beginning of the 2026 Spring Semester with new coach Christy Steed!
The club is open to students with all levels of ranch horse experience, with a focus on building confidence and skill in ranch riding, reining, trail, and cattle work fundamentals. Riders will work in a supportive, positive environment while developing their horsemanship and connecting with a community that shares a true passion for western performance events.
Practices will be held Mondays from 6:00-8:00 PM at Steed Performance Horses (located less than 10 minutes from campus) under the direction of Christy Steed. Members must have their own horse with an upto-date Coggins test and equine influenza/rhinopneumonitis vaccine to participate in mounted activities, but members are welcome to attend and audit practices if they don’t have their own horse here in River Falls.
We invite you to join us this spring! Contact Ranch Horse Club President Carley Gehrke at carley.gehrke@my.uwrf.edu for more information!
ACADEMIC QUADRATHLON
The annual UWRF Academic Quadrathlon is quickly approaching! In this contest, participants work in teams
(4 students per team) to demonstrate their knowledge of all things Animal Science through a series of competitions including a quiz bowl, laboratory practicum, written exam, and oral presentations.
Academic Quadrathlon competitions are held at the local level by university Animal Science programs across the country. Winning local teams then advance to regional and then national levels. The national contest is held in conjunction with the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Annual Meeting. Our university is a part of the Midwest Region, with the Midwest Regional AQ scheduled for this March in Omaha. The ASAS Annual Meetings will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, this coming July. For more information about AQ, here is a link to the ASAS website!
If you are interested in participating in our UWRF AQ , all you need to do is: 1.) form a team of 4 with some of your friends from your Animal Science classes, clubs, ec., and 2.) sign up by Friday, February 13, 2026. Signing up is easy – you can sign up on the poster located outside the Animal and Food Science Department Office or just use the QR Code below:
The AQ is going to offer a lot of great prizes this year! Each member of the first-place team will win jackets AND a $100 gift card! New for this year, students on the winning team will earn a WAIVER for Senior Seminar! The first-place team will also win the opportunity to represent UWRF at the Regional AQ Contest in Omaha, Nebraska, in March, with travel expenses paid by the Animal and Food Science Department! Members of teams placing 2nd and 3rd will win a $50 gift card, and all participants will receive shirts and ice cream tokens.
School Horse Spotlight:
CIELO DREAMING
Cielo Dreaming, better known as Cielo around campus, is a 2012 AQHA gelding by the legendary Magnum Chic Dream and out of Shiney Cielo, carrying proven reining bloodlines known for talent and consistency. Shown successfully in both Open and Non Pro divisions, he earned multiple Derby championships and titles, including several Level 4, 3, 2, and 1 Non Pro Aged Event wins. Throughout his career, Cielo Dreaming accumulated over $10,000 in NRHA earnings. His résumé reflects longevity, versatility, and consistent top-level performance across regional and affiliate championship events.
Post show career, Cielo has become a vital part of the UWRF Equine Program. He is truly a jack of all trades, he is used in everything from beginner Equine Equitation classes, to Advanced Horsemanship, to the IHSA showing. When duty calls, students and faculty can count on this amazing gelding to be a superstar!
Save the Dates!
Rodeo Club Meeting
Tuesday, February 3rd, 7 PM 211 Agricultural Science Building
EPTA Meeting
Wednesday, February 4th, 6 PM
331 Agricultural Science Building
Academic Quadrathlon
Tuesday, February 17th @ 5:00 PM Wednesday, February 18th @ 5:00 PM
