Finding community and camaraderie: Martin-Gatton CAFE student founds UK Ranch Horse Team
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 8, 2025) — Growing up in Harve de Grace, Maryland, Sam Grinnell-Spiller developed a passion for horses at a very young age. Despite it being a new interest for her family, Grinnell-Spiller was able to find a small farm that welcomed her with open arms.
As an equine science and management (ESMA) student, Grinnell-Spiller wanted to bring that sense of community and support to the University of Kentucky. In Fall 2024, she took a step toward that goal by creating the UK Ranch Horse Team.
“I love seeing the smiles and confidence in the team members as they get more comfortable,” Grinnell-Spiller said. “Bringing everyone together and growing this community has been so rewarding.”
Grinnell-Spiller was working for Dean Moffett at Dizzy D Ranch when she took the Equine Science and Management Internship taught by Savannah Robin.
“As a part of the ESMA internship experience, we ask students to select a project that empowers them to ‘leave the woodpile higher than you found it,’” Robin said. “Sam took on this project to help both her placement and provide students at UK with an opportunity they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
With the help of Mary Jane Little, the club’s staff advisor, Grinnell-Spiller created the team as a project of her internship. This team is open to students of all majors and equestrians of all experience levels; tryouts are not required.
“Sam approached me to be an adviser for the Ranch team and I was excited to help her achieve her goal when I saw the determination in her eye,” said Little. “Working with Sam has been invigorating as she empowers other students in the club to take leadership roles.”
As president, Grinnell-Spiller has been responsible for getting the team off the ground, writing the framework of the club and organizing activities for the members. The executive team members have been huge supporters of Grinnell-Spiller as they have worked through the challenges of starting a new, dynamic club.
“Ranch riding judges are looking for which horses they would want to take on the ranch to complete tasks,” Grinnell-Spiller said. “It’s a combination of disciplines, from cow work to trail and rail classes, and each person can choose what they would like to show in. There is something for everyone and the community is super supportive.”
Students can choose to join as a social or riding member. Social members are involved in monthly club meetings, social events and the club’s community. Riding members must also own or lease a horse, practice with the team once a week and can choose to compete in local ranch riding shows.
“My favorite thing about this club is the community we have grown,” Grinnell-Spiller said. “Our practices are such a hoot; they are easygoing and everyone is cheering on one another. I hope as I graduate and the club continues, the heart stays the same. I can’t wait to see it grow and bloom even more.”
Learn more about the UK ranch horse team at https://ukranchhorseteam.wixsite.com/uk-ranch-horse-team.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.