The 92nd National Block & Bridle Convention was hosted by Middle Tennessee State University on Jan. 31- Feb. 3, 2012. For the first time ever, the Convention was held in conjunction with the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show. Students Merissa Ford, Mandy Wilson and Anna Watson spent the week celebrating this year’s theme “Moovin’ to the Music.”
The Cattle Industry Convention was held in Nashville at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center. There, the students attended lectures on such topics as the future of the cattle industry and strategies impacting feed efficiency.
The next day, the students visited two of the best Tennessee Walking Horse breeding farms in the country. They had the opportunity to ride some of the Walking Horses, including the 2002 World Champion.
“The lectures were topnotch this year,” said Wilson. “Riding the world class Walking Horses was also a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
According to Wilson and Ford, one of the most interesting discussions was regarding the recent discovery of the second most tender muscle in the cow, second only to the tenderloin. The girls also enjoyed bonding time and being in each other’s presence.
“My favorite memory was spending time laughing and talking with Mandy and Anna about what we were learning and experiencing,” said Ford. “They are so much fun to be around.”