There have been some exciting changes happening lately at the famous Cal Poly Horse Unit. Not only are the facilities being upgraded (to the tune of seven and a half million dollars), the breeding program has also had some blue-blooded Quarter Horse breedings donated, and the upcoming sale is filled with two and three year olds, plus a handful of amazing broodmares to choose from.
Dr. Jaymie Noland is the Animal Science department head, and she is abuzz with excitement about all the great things happening in the Horse Unit. Carefully laying out the plans for the renovations, Dr. Noland explains that there is a Phase 1 and Phase 2 in the works. Phase 1 encompasses a new stallion barn with a state of the art lab and office space, a 6 stall video monitored foaling barn, new round pens, and a 140 by 300 foot covered arena. Names are in the works for this world class complex, but the Oppenheimer Family Pavilion seems to be the current favorite. The arena will be utilized for mostly equestrian events and will be a teaching facility packed with classes, clinics, and shows, most likely 7 days a week.
The ground breaking is slated to be held on June 15th for Phase 1. Dr. Noland said, “We are incredibly excited about it and grateful to the Oppenheimers for their vision and generosity. The students will greatly benefit.”
Phase 2 is a longer-term project, which includes an additional 150 x 300 foot covered arena. This will be a true show pavilion and event center for a variety of events related to the College of Agriculture, such as the Western Bonanza, cattle shows, rodeos and more.
Cal Poly Equestrian and Dressage Teams go to Nationals
Lou Moore-Jacobsen is a longtime local trainer who also works at the Cal Poly Horse Unit. She is a lecturer for ASCI (Animal Science) and the Advisor for the Equestrian and Dressage Teams. She and the Equestrian Team recently returned from New York where they showed in the semi-finals of the Western Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The 7 girl team finished 6th overall. Next they show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Derby weekend. That should be quite exciting! The Dressage Team has equally exciting news as they are getting ready to head for the Nationals in Long Valley, New Jersey April 29 – 30. They have already finished first in the California Region. This is the 9th year in a row that the Dressage Team has qualified for the Nationals.
Cal Poly Breeding Program Provides Cutting Edge Experience
The horse breeding program at Cal Poly is already cutting edge, doing things like intra cytoplasmic sperm injections and embryo transfers. If you have a mare that needs to be foaled out, Cal Poly will do it for you with round the clock student supervision. Do you want your mare to be bred to one of their top notch Quarter Horse stallions or have her inseminated with sperm shipped from your favorite stallion abroad? Cal Poly can do it for you.
The two Quarter Horse stallions currently standing at Cal Poly are “Tejons Jaguar” and “Hot Pepper Cat”. Tejons Jaguar, from the Tejon Ranch, is a grandson of Peppy San Badger out of a daughter of Six Chick. Hot Pepper Cat is a son of High Brow Cat out of a daughter of Peppy San Badger. The new stallion barn, labs, and foaling barn will surely enhance their already active breeding program. The Oppenheimers also donated 2 breedings to Metallic Cat, a currently hot cutting horse sire.
The Cal Poly Horse Unit typically houses about 15 – 12 broodmares, a recipient herd, 30 head of riding horses for student instruction, and they offer boarding to students and faculty/staff. Foals have already begun popping out and it’s a highlight to see them frolicking in the fields as you walk up to the Horse Unit. The students will halter break them and formal training begins on the 2-year-olds.
It’s Performance Horse Sale Time
The upcoming annual Cal Poly Performance Horse Sale features 16 three-year-olds, 8 two-year-olds, and some select broodmares. Julie Yuhas, the Equine Center Supervisor and equine lecturer says, “The 2-year-old horses being sold in the sale will have a minimum of about 5 months of
