The Mississippi State University Equestrian team will host the “Run for the Roses Banquet” as an end of the year event. On May 6 at The Mill Conference Center.
Ashley Shiffler, a Hummelstown, Pennslyvania native, serves as head coach of the equestrian team and also as the Facility Supervisor for the Equine Unit.
Shiffler said the equestrian team has many goals to accomplish and hopes success at the event will help the equestrian team reach those goals.
“The event’s purpose is to help financially support the equestrian team and horse judging, team to aid in costs of travel expenses and upcoming competition entry fees.” Shiffler said.
Besides attracting donors, Shiffler said she hopes the event will bring attention to Bulldog fans that MSU has a great equestrian team to offer the community.
“The equestrian team members are held to a very high standard and must represent our university appropriately,” Shiffler said. “This is expected of them at competitions and every day in the community.”
Shiffler has experienced equestrian competitions before as a competitor while at Texas A&M, where she was apart of team that won two national championships.
She she said wants her riders to have a chance to experience those competitions and knows the only way to do so is to raise money.
“Our hope is to help spread the world that we have a competitive, quality team that the university and community would be proud to support.” Shiffler said. “We need the community to understand that we are not funded by the university. For us to compete, we have to fundraise every dollar.”
Joshua Boyd, a senior agricultural business major, is one of the 15 members of the equestrian team. Boyd said as a Starkville native, the equestrian team has always been one of the sports the community has not provided.
Boyd said the team members want to use the funds to move forward from their intramural status and establish themselves as an actual sport on campus.
“We do different events to have a chance to enter in as a sport on campus,” Boyd said. “We compete in different states. It’s not local or for fun. We all have the passion to compete for Mississippi State, just like any sport.”
In the past semester, the team has competed in Rome, Georgia and at Auburn University, where they had a great performance, placing first or second in multiple individual competitions.
Boyd said he also hopes a steady funding will not only help the equestrian team, but help restart MSU’s rodeo. This would give the team members who are Western riders a chance to compete in their specific events.
Shiffler said she wants the “Run for the Roses Banquet” to serve as a bridge to the community, making it an event to look forward to every year.
“Besides raising money to compete next season, it is also a way for us to start a tradition with this event,” Shiffler said. “It could be something the community looks forward to attending every year. It also will allow us to reach out to our supporter and be able to interact face-to-face.”
The “Run for the Roses Banquet” will be held at 4:45 p.m. on May 6 at The Mill Conference Center.
During the event, the Equestrian team will be holding a silent fundraising auction. Since the event will be during the 143rd Kentucky Derby, there will be a live viewing during the auction dinner.
Tickets cost are $35 for individuals and $400 for a table.
