the class to Will Riggall, a native of Spain, and now the operations manager of The Jockey Club. Riggall showed us to the gallops, a place where jockey club members could regularly work their horses. The gallops sat at the top of the drastically hilled landscape, and once at the top, as far as the eye could see were practice tracks and horses running up and down the extreme landscape. Riggall went on to teach us about the jockey club, track substrate, and his favorite topic turfgrass. As you might imagine, it could be very difficult to get a group of college students excited about grass on such an early, cold, and rainy day, but this did not stop Riggall from
Harry Dunlop and his wife. Next on the itinerary was a stop in Oxfordshire at The Cotswolds Farm Park. The park was a unique way for the class to not only experience agri-tourism, but to see some of the most rare species of British livestock all in one location. It was incredible to see the breeds they had been studying in person and with the understanding that, in multiple cases, the herds visited were the only ones left in the world. Some of
The days following would consist of more agriculture and cultural visits. A particular highlight was a visit at Haven Herefords. This Hereford farm is proud to be known as the old herd of registered Hereford cattle in the world. As we met with owner Edward Lewis we discussed the farms upcoming online sale, their day- to-day operations, and the families connections to the United States. The Lewis family recently traveled to Denver to attend the National Western Stock Show and explained the key differences when selecting show stock in each country. Like many farms Haven Herefords Kingdoms ever-changing economy and trade deals, and now grows acres of organic apples and hops for the production of cider and beer. As the group left England and entered into Wales the class enjoyed the mountain views of Snowdonia National Park, watched a sheep dog demonstration, and visited the National Slate Museum. Quickly it became apparent that no matter the farm, country, or commodity the challenges these British producers faced were quite similar. Without question, each farmer has diversified to support themselves in the United always took the time to explain the importance of diversifying their operations, being environmentally cautious, and the importance of trade reform as the country faces Brexit. With an abundance of regulations and requirements set forth by their government, many producers were constantly adapting their operations to new
engaging the class. He ran across the track bursting with excitement as he pointed out different plants, mowing heights, and jumped on the turf when explaining shock absorption. This was the
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point of the trip when it was realized that while we were there for livestock, it was truly the people the made it special. The visit to Lambourn concluded back at Harry Dunlop’s Sables where the class met with a veterinarian to discuss anything and everything horse racing. Every question was met with an enthusiastic answer as topics like identifying injuries, performance enhancements, American versus British racing, and of course the recent winning of the Kentucky Derby by Rich Strike. Before boarding the bus each student was gifted a set of jockey silks from
these breeds include the soay and manx longhorn sheep, baggot goat, suffolk draft horse, exmoor ponies, and albion and gloucester cattle. When asked about her experience, senior in animal science Kinsee Lettinga said, “I loved the history and the architecture in the country, but most of all how much of an impact the United Kingdom has on multiple breed of livestock, and how what we do in America leads back to genetics in the United Kingdom.”
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