Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Everything's bigger in Texas
Emily Melies, Corner Post Staff

February 24, 2004 - The 84th National Block & Bridle Convention was held February 19-22 in San Antonio, Texas. "The Stars at Night are Big & Bright, Deep in the Heart of Texas" was the theme.

This year's convention was hosted by the Texas A&M University Saddle Sirloin Club (another name for Block & Bridle Club). The convention was held at the Adam's Mark Hotel on the Riverwalk in historic San Antonio.

More than 900 members from 51 chapters across the nation came to the annual convention. 26 MU members and three advisers made the trip to Texas.

"We had a great group go, and I think everyone behaved pretty well," senior attendee Jason Carmack said.

Featured speakers included Jim Olson, a former CIA agent, Jim Whitt, a motivational speaker with a degree in animal science, Charlie Bradbury, Chief Executive Officer of Beefmaster Cattlemen LP, and Trent Loos, a sixth generation U.S. farmer who expresses his love for agriculture through a radio program called "Loos Tales."

The scheduled speakers were only a small part of the agenda. Those attending the convention had plenty of free time to explore the city. Many took advantage of everything the Riverwalk had to offer, toured the Alamo, got acquainted with members of other clubs or just took a little time to enjoy the warm, sunny weather.

The attendees weren't hurting for entertainment, with many options beyond tours and sessions. Hypnotist Chip Flatow had the crowd struggling to hold onto their seats.

"Watching the hypnotized volunteers definitely had the crowd gasping to catch their breath from laughter," freshman attendee Chantel Sparrow said.

Tours to places such as King Ranch, Spoetzl Brewery, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and other area sites were also included in the trip.

Friday evening was spent at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo, with a concert by country band Lonestar capping the evening.

Saturday evening, an Awards Banquet Fiesta and Dinner was held. A dance kept things rolling into the early hours Sunday morning.

Finally, a Cowboy Church service was offered at 8 Sunday morning to conclude the 2004 Convention.

The majority of members returned home to Mizzou exhausted, but said they were pleased with the trip. Many are looking forward to attending next year's convention.

"The trip was well worth the cost, and I'm looking forward to attending next year's trip," freshman attendee Jill Nelson said.

The 85th National Convention is scheduled to take place in Denver January 12-16, 2005. Some of the highlights will include the National Western Stock Show, industry tours, skiing and the Career & Trade Show. It might just be bigger than this year's Texan event!

To visit the San Antonio Riverwalk, check out http://www.sanantonioriverwalk.com.

For more information about the National Block and Bridle Club, stop by their website at http://www.blockandbridle.org and to learn more about Mizzou's Block and Bridle Club, check out the CAFNR Corner Post Clubs page or visit their website at http://www.asrc.agri.missouri.edu/Block~and~Bridle/Homepage.htm.

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