UWRF Equi-Updates Elijah Boe | September 2025 Welcome to October’s edition of the UWRF EquiUpdate Newsletter. Each issue provides a comprehensive update from our equine department, including briefings from our faculty, highlights of student internships, features on campus organizations and competitive teams, and recognition of alumni achievements. With Homecoming celebrations bringing our community together, equestrian teams kicking off practices, and classes in full swing, this month’s stories highlight the energy, growth, and excellence of our beloved equine community.
sponsored by our clubs, teams, and external partners. Please reach out if you have questions or want more information about how to get involved with our Equine Program activities and events.
Rodeo Recap
Notes from Faculty & Staff Dr. Jen Weinert-Nelson Assistant Professor Equine Program Director
As we find ourselves one month into this Fall 2025 semester at UWRF our Equine Program is bustling with activity. We started our semester off strong with the Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo, our IHSA teams are gearing up for competition, the Northern Lights Ranch Versatility Association hosted its fall show and clinic at our facility, and many of our student clubs are taking advantage of this great fall weather to spend afternoons out at the farm with our school horses. Our classes are in full swing as well, and it has been exciting to see all the activity out at our Campus Farm! The best news, though, is we are just getting started! Next week we will host Minnesota FFA members for the Falcon Ag Challenge. A big thank you to all the students, staff, and community members who have volunteered to help make that event possible! I am so looking forward to this contest as well as other great upcoming events
The UW–River Falls Rodeo Team has been off to a strong start this fall, highlighted by the success of our 61st Annual Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo held September 5–6. The two-day event brought outstanding competitors from across the Great Plains Region and gave the UWRF community the chance to celebrate one of our longest-running campus traditions. We were especially proud to cheer on our very own Marty Bauer, who placed 4th in the Long Go against 120 girls, earning her spot in the Short Go. She went on to win the Short Go and placed 2nd overall in the average, such a tremendous accomplishment! Following our River Falls rodeo, the team has been on the road competing in rodeos in North Platte, Nebraska, as well as Dickinson and Bismarck, North Dakota. Each event has provided valuable opportunities for growth and success as our athletes prepare for the final competition of the fall season in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on October 10–11.