The Block and Bridle Club Recognition Banquet was held April 11, 2026, in the Livestock Arena on the St. Paul campus. The University of Minnesota of Minnesota Block and Bridle Club was chartered in 1923 and is the oldest continuously operating club at the University. Brennir Peterson, current vice president, welcomed the attendees. Emcee Carter Holmen, current president of the club, presented the year in review, highlighting the busy, yet successful, past year of the club. Next, Coach Kyle Rozeboom recognized the 2026 General Livestock Judging Team who is currently in the middle of their competition season. Coach Rozeboom gave an update on their spring run and what is to come for the summer and fall. Team members include: Breelee Berkenpas, Katelynn Carpenter, Carter Holmen, Brice Neeser, Brennir Peterson, Katie Radman, Kaitlin Reitmeier, Ava Schoenfeld, Mikayla Skiba.
Owen Rozeboom and Sadie Sullivan were awarded the Outstanding Animal Science Seniors. Both were successful members of the livestock judging team and will be starting jobs within the agriculture industry later this year. Owen worked at the swine and sheep unit and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho. Sadie worked at the veterinary diagnostic lab and was a member of Lambda Delta Phi sorority.
Block and Bridle club Secretary, Breelee Berkenpas, presented Carter Holmen with the 2026 Outstanding Rookie award. Wyatt Gonsior was presented with the 2026 Outstanding Senior
Award.
Riley Hecht, Treasurer, presented the 2026 Outstanding B & B Alumni award to Kelly Schmidt. Kelly currently serves as the Minnesota Beef Council Executive Director and has been influential to the Minnesota agriculture industry.
Breelee Berkenpas, Secretary, presented Erick Barberg with the 2026 Outstanding Service Award. Erick is always willing to lend a helping hand to members of the Block and Bridle and is always there to support the livestock judging team.
Alisha Klemme was presented with the 2026 Outstanding Teaching Assistant within the Animal Science Department. The award was presented by Dr. Tony Seykora and Kyle Rozeboom.
Brennir Peterson, Vice President, presented Dr. Isaac Salfer with the 2026 Outstanding Faculty Award. Dr. Salfer serves Block and Bridle members and undergraduates as a ruminant nutritionist. He stays very active in campus activities and is a great resource for students.
Dr. Tony Seykora and Dr. Isaac Salfer presented Animal Science undergraduate students with the outstanding scholar awards. To be eligible for this award, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
The banquet concluded with a speech given by Dr. Gene Allen, Former College of Agriculture Dean and Department of Animal Science Professor. He discussed how agriculture has progressed during his life and challenged the members to embrace chance.