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
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
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
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.
Campus Connections & Team Updates
HUNT SEAT IHSA SHOW TEAM
Hello Falcons! Hope the start of your semester has been going well. This past month we welcomed 12 new members to the team! It ’s been a pleasure to get to know our new teammates, and we’re excited to take on our first show with them! Our first show is October 24-26th at NDSU and our home show will be in November. In preparation we have kicked off our practices working on gaining strength in the saddle and fine tuning our riding positions.
To keep up with us you can check out our Instagram @uwrf.ihsa.huntshowteam. Thanks to everyone who said hello to us at the Involvement Fair along with those who showed up to our Informational Meeting and tryouts. Make sure to catch us at the homecoming parade on October 11th and check back at the next newsletter!
WESTERN IHSA SHOW TEAM
The IHSA Western Team is kicking off an incredible season! Practices are in full swing, and our riders are pushing themselves harder every day, growing stronger and more unified as a team. We’re thrilled to welcome nine new
members this year: Aubrey A., Maclaine H., Ava S., Maddy G., Hayven S., Emily K., Hannah S., Delanie M., and Josie M., bringing our roster to an impressive 23 riders! With so much new talent and drive, we can’t wait to see how the season unfolds
as we prepare for our first big competition at NDSU this November.
Leading the way are our dedicated 2025–2026 captains: senior Eli B., senior Kylie B., and senior Amanda J. With all three seniors entering their third year of competition, their leadership and experience will no doubt shine—both in the arena and beyond. This season is shaping up to be one of our best yet!
RODEO CLUB
The Rodeo Club isn’t just about competing; it ’s also a community. Members support one another both inside and outside the arena, building
lifelong friendships through their shared passion for rodeo. If you’d like to learn more, meet the team, or explore how to get involved, we invite you to join our next club meeting on October 6 at 7 p.m. in AGSI 211.
EPTA
Hi everyone! EPTA (Equine Physical Therapy Association) has been busy! We have officially started sessions on the horses and had our first couple of meetings. We will be continuing sessions and have some fun meetings planned! Our next meeting is Wednesday, October 8th at 6PM in the Equine Lab Farm Pavilion. We will be starting with a brief meeting and then painting the muscular and skeletal systems on a couple of horses. Please email equine.pta@uwrf.edu with any questions! Thank you!
PRE-VET CLUB
The UW–River Falls PreVeterinary Club connects students interested in veterinary medicine through guest speakers, hands-on experiences, and networking opportunities. Recently, members participated in a wet lab at Mann Valley Farm with Dr. Reyes and Prof. James, where they assisted with freeze branding, castration, vaccination, and calf handling.
October Events:
♦ 10/6 at 7 PM | Ag Sci 200 – General Meeting & Guest Speaker, NCSU
♦ 10/9 at 7 PM | Ag Sci 200 – Guest Speaker Michele Thurston (Vet Techs)
♦ 10/13 at 7 PM | Ag Sci 114 – Symposium Info Meeting
♦ 10/15 at 7 PM | Ag Sci 114 – Mentorship Meeting
♦ 10/20 at 7 PM | Ag Sci 200 – General Meeting & Guest Speaker, CSU
♦ 10/21 at 7 PM | Online (Teams) – Guest Speaker, Turquoise Vet
♦ 10/27 at 7 PM | Ag Sci 200 – Social Event: Spring Class Planning
BLOCK AND BRIDLE CLUB
The UWRF Block and Bridle Club is open to students interested in beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, and equine. The club provides members with opportunities to develop livestock handling skills, connect with peers, and promote the advancement of animal agriculture through educational events, service activities, and social opportunities.
The UWRF Block and Bridle Club is excited to host The Royal on November 1st at Mann Valley Farm. The Royal is a hands-on showmanship
event is open to all members and pairs students into teams with at least one experienced and one novice member to train and show lab farm animals. Members may sign up for multiple species, including beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, and equine. Each group competes within their species, and the top experienced showman advances to the Round Robin, where winners from each species compete for the buckle and the title of Master Showman.
UWRF Internship Spotlight
Eli Boe – UMN Extension
Hey everyone! My name is Eli Boe, and I am a senior at UWRF. This past summer, I worked as a Summer Site Coordinator for St. Louis County 4-H.
In this role, I helped plan and lead youth day camps, supported educational programming, and assisted with county fair events. My work ranged from organizing hands-on activities like gardening, animal care, and science experiments to helping coordinate shows and supporting youth exhibitors at the fair. Every day was different, and I quickly learned how important it is to stay organized, flexible, and ready to step in wherever needed.
This internship gave me the chance to grow as a leader while making a real difference for kids in the community. Seeing youth build confidence and curiosity through 4-H reminded me of the importance of creating these opportunities. It was a meaningful experience that confirmed my passion for youth development.
School Horse Spotlight
MONEY CARLO
Money Carlo is an NRHA money-earning reining stallion with lifetime earnings of more than $60,000. By A Sparkling Vintage and out
of a daughter of Doc Olena, he carries a pedigree that blends modern reining style with proven foundation bloodlines. Shown by industry greats such as Matt Mills and Andrea Fappani, Money Carlo earned recognition as a finalist in the NRHA Open Futurity and has collected checks at major futurities and derbies nationwide.
Now housed at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, Money Carlo continues to make an impact beyond the show pen. He is collected on campus and plays an important role in riding and
reproductive physiology classes, where students gain valuable hands-on experience working with a world-class performance stallion. Known for his athleticism, trainability, and exceptional temperament, Money Carlo is both a proven competitor and a phenomenal ambassador for UWRF’s equine program. We are excited to welcome six foals bred by him this spring!
UWRF Alumni Spotlight
Dr. Alyssa Logan – 2017 Graduate
Dr. Alyssa Logan is a 2017 UWRF graduate majoring in Animal Science – Equine. During her time at UWRF, Alyssa was involved in numerous extracurricular activities including the Western IHSA Team.
Dr. Logan is currently an Assistant Professor, Horse Judging Team Coach, and Graduate Coordinator in the Horse Science Program at Middle Tennessee State University. She obtained her M.S. (2019) and Ph.D (2022) from Michigan State University. From a research perspective, Dr. Logan has a particular interest in the exercise and management of performance horses. A 2021 review she co-authored on the benefits of
exercising young horses published in the journal, Animals, is among the top 50 viewed articles of all time. Dr. Logan is an open division competitor and is an AQHA Level 1 and NRHA judge
In academic and professional equestrian capacities, Dr. Logan works to combine scientific evidence with the realistic goals of horse owners and competitors to explore methods of exercise training and management that will lead to healthy careers for performance horses.
Save the Dates!
Rodeo Club Meeting
Monday, October 6th, 7 PM 211 Agricultural Science Building
EPTA Club Meeting
Wednesday, October 8th @ 6 PM UWRF Campus Farm Pavilion
Falcon Ag Challenge
Friday, October 10th @ 8 AM UWRF Campus Farm
Homecoming Parade
Saturday, October 11th @ 9 AM
Block and Bridle Club Royal
Saturday, November 1st
UWRF Mann Valley Farm
