Equine Students Announce Success With Pinhooking Project

Aug. 21, 2008

Equine Studies students at Central Florida Community College bid farewell to their thoroughbred yearling Tiger Lily at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales auction today.

The sale was the culmination of a semester-long pinhooking project that brought real-life experience to students in the Equine Studies program. Susy Cant signed the ticket for $7,000.

"The proceeds will allow future students to benefit from the Equine Studies program at CFCC,” said Dr. Judy Downer, associate professor of Equine Studies. “That amount, when combined with state matching funds, will fully fund an endowed scholarship. That was our main goal, but we accomplished so much more.

"At the sale, we had many individuals approach our students and congratulate them on the turn out of the horse and their professionalism,” Downer said. “The recognition by key players in the equine industry heightened their sense of accomplishment. I was very, very proud of them.”

The students know that the project would not have been possible without the generous support of the community. The yearling was donated by Jimmy and Martha Gladwell, owners of Kindergarten Farm in Reddick, and boarded at Spring Hollow Farms Inc., owned by Dr. John Peterson of Ocala. Additional community members donated farrier work, veterinary care and much of the feed.

"It has been amazing to see the generosity and helpfulness of the equine community as they have supported this program,” said CFCC student Barbara Young. “We really appreciate everyone involved with making this project a success.”

The students are looking forward to their next pinhooking project and are accepting proposals for donation of another yearling in January 2009. Downer said that students new to the Equine Studies program attended the auction Thursday to support those who have spent the last several months preparing Tiger Lily for auction.

"There is a feeling of satisfaction knowing that she is well prepared to go on and be successful," said student Eleana Hickey.

"But it is really the students who are prepared. “Working on this project gave students hands-on experience in the sales preparation of a yearling and taught them how the auction business works,” said student Laurie Kapsa, who is also president of the CFCC Horseman’s Society. “But even if they don’t continue in the equine industry, the learning experience is invaluable and they will be able to apply their skills to most any business. There was so much more to the project than brushing and feeding the filly.”

For further information about the project or Equine Studies program contact Downer at downerj@cf.edu or 352-854-2322, ext 1220.