MSEA News & Events

Back to News & Events

Archived MSEA News & Events

Cinch Challenge - February 18-19, 2023

Cinch Challenge - February 18-19, 2023

Equine “First” To Make MSU Construction Commitment For Life Science Buildings

Mississippi State University issued a prospectus for the construction of new Animal and Dairy Science buildings on the campus at the corner of Black Jack Road and Stone Boulevard. The proposal was presented to Mississippi businesses and associations for new naming opportunities now that the first of three buildings is nearing completion. The other two buildings will be constructed in the next two years. MSU needed a commitment from the dozens of proposals that were forwarded to companies in a wide area throughout the southeast area. The “first” commitment that MSU received was the Mississippi State Equine Association and that included a signed check and a commitment letter for Mississippi State to use MSEA as an example for the MSU project.

The new three-story Animal and Dairy Sciences building will contain about 34,500 square feet of offices, conference rooms, classrooms and labs. The Meat Science and Muscle Biology building will contain 15,000 square feet, and the Poultry Science building will contain an additional 26,500 square feet of offices and laboratories.

MSEA is proud of its Mississippi State University sponsorships, and promises to do more in the future...Go Dawgs!

MSEA Supports the The Safe Horse Auction & Open Door Shelter

Safe Horse Auction & Open Door Shelter

Why a safe horse auction and one-day open shelter? Because we believe horse owners have the right to sell horses that have been bred, raised and trained for companion and recreational purposes and not have them enter the slaughter pipeline. Too many good horses that would otherwise be nice riding companions that add economic value to the horse industry are being purchased for slaughter. Kill buyers are outbidding private individuals at auctions, trolling classifieds and Craigslist to purchase nice horses to sell through broker programs on Facebook. As a result, no horse is safe from slaughter. We want to change that by providing owners another option when selling their horses.

MSEA Equine Scholarship Awarded for 2016/2017

MSEA Equine Scholarship Awarded for 2016/2017
Pictured from left to right: Mr. James Rasberry, President of
the Mississippi State Equine Association, Sydney McDonnell,
Amanda Rasberry Crawford and
her husband Terry Crawford from Kosciusko.

MSU’s “SaddleUp” scholarship was awarded in Starkville for academic year 2016/2017. Sydney McConnell of Brandon, daughter of Mark and Susan McConnell, received the $2,000 in ceremonies at the annual Animal and Dairy Science banquet on the MSU campus. Sydney is a junior pursuing a major in Veterinary Medicine and a graduate of Northwest Rankin High School. Pictures from left to right: Mr. James Rasberry, President of the Mississippi State Equine Association, Sydney McDonnell, Amanda Rasberry Crawford and her husband Terry Crawford from Kosciusko.

MSEA Starts Another Scholarship At Mississippi State University

MSEA Starts  Another Scholarship At Mississippi State University
Pictured from left to right are Burl Brunson
and James Watts, both representing MSEA,
Commissioner of Agriculture Cindy Hyde-Smith presenting
the check to Jud Skelton,
Development Director with the MSU Foundation.

The Mississippi State Equine Association (MSEA) presented its annual donation to Mississippi State University's Extension Service 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program in January. The $10,000 check furthers MSEA's commitment to fund another endowed scholarship program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Mississippi State.

State equine association establishes MSU scholarship endowment

State equine association establishes MSU scholarship endowment
James Watts (from left), MSEA executive director;
Terry Kiser, retiring head of MSU's animal and
dairy sciences department; James Rasberry, MSEA president;
and Jud Skelton, College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences development director.

The Mississippi State Equine Association is fulfilling a vision to further equine education by establishing a scholarship endowment at Mississippi State.

Since 2006, MSEA officials have worked to create the Mississippi State Equine Association Endowed Scholarship to encourage beneficial equine practices. Based in the university's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the leadership and academic recognition award will assist animal science majors who are pursuing pre-veterinary studies.

State of MS Horse Show High Point Winners

Congratulations to the SMHA members who were high point winners at last years State of MS Horse Show. Mr. James Watts from the Mississippi State Equine Association was present at our banquet. The Mississippi State Equine Association donated ALL High Point Belt buckles for the State Show. Mr. Watts spoke to us during the meal portion of the banquet. He informed our members about MSEA and what they hope to achieve.

MSEA is a non-profit organization. Their purpose is to promote the equine industry. 100% of their funds are generated by MSEA membership, the SaddleUp vehicle license plates and by donation. All of the funds raised are put back into equine related activities/events.

MR won two high point buckles-high point timed event pony and high point timed events 12 years and under.
MR won two high
point buckles-high
point timed event pony and
high point timed events
12 years and under.
13 thru 17 Judged - Emma Grace Martin - accepted by Whitney Brock
13 thru 17 Judged
Emma Grace Martin
accepted by Whitney Brock
18 and Over Judged - Alicia Berry
18 and Over Judged
Alicia Berry

Cooperative Extension Service Hosting MSEA Membership Meeting

The Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a meeting on Tuesday night, September 25 for the Mississippi State Equine Association. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the upstairs conference room of the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the State Fairgrounds in Jackson.

The MCES has extended invitations to all Mississippi horsemen via county Extension Service officers.

Mississippi Equine Specialist Dr. Preston Buff, who serves on the MSEA Executive Board, says he’s hopeful that all Mississippi breed associations will be represented, as well as the membership of MSEA.

Dr. Buff describes the meeting as an informal gathering of all groups interested in the development of the Mississippi equine industry. It’s an opportunity to share information and hear first hand future plans for the MSEA.

Equine Appreciation Vehicle License Plate Ceremony

MSEA Signing

Governor Haley Barbour formally approved the sale of Mississippi's first "equine appreciation" vehicle license plate at ceremonies in his Capitol office on Friday.

Pictured with the Governor signing S.B. 2090 are representatives of the sponsoring Mississippi State Equine Association. From the left are James Rasberry of Kosciusko, MSEA President; Dr. Terry Kiser, Head of Animal and Dairy Sciences, MSU; George Phillips, Mississippi Commissioner of Public Safety; David Ashcraft of Madison; Murl Brunson of Terry; Dr. Preston Buff, Equine Specialist, MSU; Ruth Hinton of Natchez; and James Watts of Brandon, who serves as MSEA's Executive Director. A banner depicting the new tag, which can be seen on MSEA's website www.mssaddleup.org, is draped across the table in front of the Governor.