The quick and dirty of what we do.
Penn State University Block and Bridle Club
109 AVBS Building
University Park, PA 16802
Block and Bridle, known as the premier livestock and horse club on campus at Penn State, is one of the most active clubs on campus, not just on Ag Hill but also at the university level. Block and Bridle currently has an abundance of active members; these members have livestock and horses as a common interest and participate in a variety of activities, which range from social and educational events to community service. Transfer and freshmen students are greeted in the fall at the club's Welcome Back Picnic where old members reunite and new members begin to form lasting friendships. General club meetings are held the first and third Thursday of the month, with executive committee meetings being held on alternative weeks. New students have ample opportunities to become involved with the club and are encouraged to participate as they are required to obtain at least four "initiation credits" to become an official member.
The diverse background of club members allows the interests in all species of livestock to be well represented at club events. Block and Bridle's equine enthusiasts participate in several horse related events throughout the year. Students become involved with horses on campus by participating in weanling and mare handling/grooming, and also by assisting with the Penn State Quarter Horse Sale in the spring. Students with a meat interest help with ham processing and meat packaging for the fall Meat Sale. Those with cattle experience assist with the Bull Test Sale where approximately 100 bulls are clipped every spring. Sheep fans help with the Keystone International Livestock Exposition at the Farm Show Complex down in Harrisburg. Also, members with a judging passion have the opportunity to run several livestock and horse judging contests. Members are even able to volunteer at the Penn State Spring Judging Contest. Members with a goat interest help with the club's our annual event, Rumble in the Valley, a sheep and goat show hosted in the fall. While most club members have a specific species of interest, all members are encouraged and welcome to participate in every event.
Blood for Bats has now become a very popular year club activity. Blood is harvested from cattle at the Penn State Meat Lab and delivered to the Philadelphia Zoo as the primary food source for their vampire bat colonies. The zoo appreciates the club's efforts, as we have consistently delivered blood with low microbial counts.
Each year, Block and Bridle hits the road to proudly represent Penn State at the National Block and Bridle Convention. Members benefit from networking with other Block and Bridle members from across the country. This year over 20 members of the club traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for convention. At the closing banquet the club received awards for 1st place chapter activities, 3rd place yearbook, and 5th place scrapbook in the competition. Our own Erin Comp was also recognized at the 3rd place Outstanding Junior. In February, multiple Block and Bridle students joined forces with Dairy Science Club members at the University of Maine for the North East Student Affiliate (NESA). Contestants judged livestock classes consisting of horses, dairy cows, beef heifers, market hogs, breeding ewes, and oysters. Members also participated in quiz bowl competitions and oral presentations. We made our school proud as well as our devoted advisors by being named the 1st place Overall University at the competition. Penn State had the 1st place team overall, 5/6 of the final presenters being from our university, and a handful of other accomplishments.
Block and Bridle is proud of their contributions to the Penn State community. Our primary service activity is the Beef Up the Blood Supply blood drive. It is the largest Penn State blood drive held on campus and provides donors with a nutritious hamburger following their donation. We have had a pretty good turn out in the past few years. Additionally, we often come together right before winter break to collect donations for local families/children in need. Doing activities like these not only help our community, but also bond club members for the common good.
Along with the many service activities, club members, initiates, and advisors enjoy each other's company throughout the semester at many social events. Our Social Chairs team up every week to provide dinner for club meetings, whether they are general or executive meetings, as well as plan fun activities for members to partake in. This year we had a movie night and participated in pumpkin carving.
At the end of year, for the first time ever, Block and Bridle joins up with other College of Ag. clubs to bust a move at the Ag Formal. We appreciate our Ag Student Council representatives for assisting in the coordination of this amazing event!
Little International, or Little I, is one of the most anticipated events of the year and Block and Bridle would not be complete without this long-standing tradition. This year, the Little International celebrated its 105th year as a long standing tradition with Block and Bridle at the Pennsylvania State University. The morning started with the opening ceremony followed by the introduction of the judges who are critical leaders within the Pennsylvania livestock industry. The event concluded with a "round robin," where the overall showmen for each species competed against each other for Overall Champion Showman. We concluded the day with our End-of-Year Banquet at the Mountain View Country Club in nearby Boalsburg. Awards were given out to members for both Little I achievements, as well as cumulative successes throughout the academic year.
The Penn State Saddle & Sirloin Club is also another key component of Penn State Block and Bridle. This club was created to raise additional funds every year for the club's endowment account, which will benefit the club in years to come. In order to gain membership to the club, a beautiful saddle, donated by Roger Allgeier of Brighton Feeds & Saddlery in Brighton, Colorado, must be "bought." The saddle remains in the Traditions Room in the brand new Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences Building. Plaques are placed on a latigo strap recognizing the newest owner and member of the club. Spring of 2017 was our inaugural sale and the saddle sold for $5000. A very generous alumnus, Bill MacCauley, matched the sale price to bring the final total to $10,000 for the endowment account! The latigo strap also has a plaque honoring Dr. Harold Harpster, a very influential faculty member at Penn State, and Vivian Baumer, a previous adviser to the club who has since passed away.
As you can tell, Block and Bridle members stay busy year round with club activities. Club advisors Dr. Daniel Kniffen, Dr. Ed Mills, Mr. Chris Grant, and Mr. Ben Williamson are proud of our hard work and accomplishments, and continue to offer their time and support. We maintain a tradition as one of the dominant clubs on Ag Hill and strive to continue that tradition of excellence as members before, during, and after each club event.
