By: Esther Gowin
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas’ Department of Animal Science held a fundraiser for judging and competitive animal teams last week.
The ‘Team Up to Support our Animal Science Teams’ fundraiser aimed to support the department’s three competitive teams, Livestock Judging, Equine Judging and the Ranch Horse team.
An Equestrian Judging and Ranch Horse Coach, Jordan Shore, said the current pandemic has left them short of the funds the competitive teams need this year.
“Normally the team receives funding from its spring and fall horse shows. Shore said. “The fundraiser allowed our supporters to come in and help supplement our traveling income to help get the students down the road.”
The Animal Science fundraiser ended on Monday and the Ranch Horse team raised over 22,000 dollars above their goal of 10,000 dollars.
Students preparing for Ranch Horse team competitions practice two to five times every week. One student, Kaley Collins, said being on the team can be a challenge to balance with college classes.
“Being on the team during college can be kind of difficult because you have a lot to juggle.” Collins said. “Especially coming in a freshman and sophomore, those years you are in a lot of classes and still getting used to what college is like.”
Shore said the competitive programs help students develop valuable skills in communication and teamwork.
“There’s a lot of experiences you gain from working with each other.” Shore said. “That’s not just in the arena and at shows, but also in the day to day feeding and cleaning.”
The Ranch Horse team is currently preparing for their next competition in November.