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Lexington, KY (September 24, 2020) - The Kentucky Horse Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Coleman as the new Executive Director of the Lexington-based organization; Coleman will begin her role Sept. 29.
An avid equestrian, Coleman grew up in northeastern Ohio and graduated from the Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Coleman moved to the Bluegrass in 2004 to work with multiple equine and agriculture- related publications based in the area. She shifted to equine-oriented roles at Lexington Catholic High School and Georgetown College before transitioning to her most recent role as Community and Public Relations Director for New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program. In that role, Coleman oversaw the construction of New Vocations at Mereworth Farm and established the New Vocations All-Thoroughbred Charity Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park among other endeavors. In addition, Coleman holds roles on multiple equine boards and committees, including being secretary and treasurer of the Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association, a member of the University of Kentucky's Saddle Up Safely program and a member of the Kentucky Horse Breeders Incentive Fund Non-Race Committee, among others.
" I am excited to step into this role with the Kentucky Horse Council," Coleman says "Katy [Ross] did an incredible job; I look forward to capitalizing on the momentum she has built to grow the membership, develop relationships and resources, and awareness of the organization and its mission and programs within the Kentucky I have invested my life into the education of equine enthusiasts and equine welfare, and I am looking forward to seeing what can be accomplished in this new role."
"We are delighted to have Sarah join the Kentucky Horse Council as Executive Director," said Ryan Watson, President of the Kentucky Horse Council, "with Sarah's experience as well as expertise in the non-profit sector, I feel very confident that she can continue moving the KHC forward."
Founded in 1992, the Kentucky Horse Council is a membership-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The organization provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts as well as equine networking opportunities, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance. For more information, visit kentuckyhorse.org
Lexington, KY (August 19, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced it will host a virtual meeting on September 1 for the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA). The topic for this meeting, presented by WesBanco, will be “Can You Make a Right Call? Equine Events During a Pandemic.” The meeting will happen on Zoom at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, September 1, 2020. Registration is required.
Due to recent event cancellations in Kentucky, this topic is being presented to give exhibitors and participants a glimpse into the decision-making process that event organizers and facility managers are using to determine whether or not to proceed with their horse shows during COVID19. This virtual meeting will feature four panelists who will discuss various factors that impacted their decision and the public reaction to their choices.
Anne Guillory, an attorney in the Louisville office of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, will discuss the legal issues an event organizer faces during a pandemic as well as the efficacy of waivers. Jen Roytz, Executive Director of the Retired Racehorse Project, will discuss the factors that led to RRP deciding to cancel the Thoroughbred Makeover scheduled for October 7-11, 2020. Justin Billings, Chief Show Officer of the American Quarter Horse Association, will discuss proceeding with the 2020 AQHYA World Show. Nicole Rivera, Sales and Event Manager for the Kentucky Horse Park, will discuss the challenges the international venue faces hosting events during this time.
“2020 has presented incredible challenges to the equine industry, most recently manifested in the cancellation of major horse shows and equine events in Kentucky,” Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “We believe this well-rounded panel will provide great insight to the decisions that have been made regarding cancelling or going forward with events due to COVID19.”
KENA is charged with the mission of providing an educational and social venue for equine professionals and horse enthusiasts from all disciplines. Organized by the Kentucky Horse Council, KENA provides the opportunity for attendees to share ideas, business strategies and knowledge, and to obtain up-to-date information on horse and farm management and on issues affecting the equine industry. KENA is made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including Dinsmore Equine Law Group, WesBanco, Neogen, University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, KESMARC Kentucky, and Equine Land Conservation Resources.
The September meeting is presented by WesBanco, a multi-state bank with offices throughout Kentucky. WesBanco is a generous supporter of the KENA dinner series.
The Kentucky Equine Networking Association welcomes all Kentucky horse owners, professionals and enthusiasts to participate in the July meeting. All participants must register at https://kentuckyhorse.org/KENA.
Lexington, KY (August 12, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced the recipients of two $1,500 scholarships to Kentucky students already attending college, or accepted into a college who have demonstrated academic success, equine industry involvement and community service for the Fall 2020 Semester.
The Equine Scholarship are available to students currently enrolled with a university or college in Kentucky in an equine-related major or a horse-related program, or a student accepted into an equine related major or program to start in the Fall 2020 semester. The Fall 2020 Scholarships have been awarded to Hannah Waroway and Sydney Simpson.
Hannah Waroway, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a senior at Midway University with a double major in equine management and rehabilitation. Hannah, who started riding when she was three, grew up riding hunter jumpers and competed with 4H. Hannah intends to pursue a masters and potentially a PhD in equine and rider biomechanics. In addition, Hannah has competed for the Midway University IHSA team throughout her college career. Hannah’s strong work ethic, academic excellence, work and volunteer experience along with her commitment to the Kentucky equine industry make an excellent candidate for the equine scholarship.
Sydney Simpson, from Henderson, Kentucky, is an incoming freshman at Murray State University pursuing a degree in animal science. A long time member of Pony Club, Henderson County Riverside Riders 4-H Club and Interscholastic Equestrian Association competitor, Sydney has been successfully competing in Horse Bowls, Hippology contests, and junior judging in addition to horse showing. Sydney’s strong academic and volunteer background, combined with her already tangible contributions to the Kentucky equine community make her an incredibly worthy recipient of the equine scholarship.
“The Kentucky Horse Council is thrilled to be able to continue our scholarship program through the challenges presented by COVID19 and excited to support these incredible young ladies as they further their education,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “We had an impressive group of applicants and we are pleased to help invest in the future of the Kentucky equine industry by supporting students through the Commonwealth!”
Lexington, KY (August 6, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council announced today that it is currently accepting applications for a new executive director to lead the organization. Katy Ross, who has served as the KHC's executive director since 2015, will be leaving the organization at the end of August to pursue other career opportunities. During her tenure, Ross spearheaded several key initiatives, including a new strategic plan, created successful programs focused on education and welfare of horses across the Commonwealth and worked with legislators at the local, state and national levels as an advocate for the horse industry.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Kentucky Horse Council and the support of the Kentucky horse industry throughout that time,” said Ross. “The strength and diversity of the board of directors and staff has allowed the KHC to address issues facing the equine industry across the Commonwealth and I am confident that the organization will continue to be a voice for all horsemen and women in Kentucky heading into the future. I am thankful for my time at the KHC and all of the organizations and people that work to support horses in Kentucky as well as the KHC. I wish the KHC the best as I head into the next chapter of my career.”
The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit dedicated to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community, through education and leadership. An all-breed, all-discipline organization, the KHC provides educational programs and information, trainings, outreach and communication to the Kentucky equine industry, the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA), health and welfare programs, and advocacy on behalf of the entire horse industry. The specialty KHC license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides a source of revenue for KHC programs.
“Katy has been a valuable asset to us at the Kentucky Horse Council and we are thankful for her dedication to our mission,” said Ryan Watson, Stallion Manager at Darby Dan Farm and President of the KHC Board of Directors. “We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors and we look forward to this new chapter for our organization.”
The full job description can be viewed here.
Those interested in applying for the position should submit a cover letter and resume to director@kentuckyhorse.org by August 20, 2020. For any questions regarding the position or to apply for the position, please contact Katy Ross at director@kentuckyhorse.org or (859) 367-0509.
Lexington, KY (July 29, 2020)- In an effort to continue to provide educational opportunities to equine enthusiasts in Kentucky despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Horse Council's Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA) offered their most recent quarterly meeting via Zoom. Though the traditional, in-person networking portion of the meeting wasn't possible, the informational content of the meeting did not disappoint.
Presented by Dinsmore Equine Law Group, the July meeting focused on a topic at the forefront of many Kentuckian's minds: The coronavirus and its impact on the state's signature equine industry. State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout spoke openly about the challenges the agriculture industry faced and continues to face during the pandemic, as well as on how his office worked to minimize the impact of the virus.
Challenges the industry faced included the cancellation of equine events, the impact on interstate travel of horses and the ramifications of guidelines and restrictions on horse farm staff. "Business continuity was paramount," Stout said. "Our goal was to save the breeding season and determine how we were going to do that [safely]."
Stout clarified that the Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) had no defined role throughout the pandemic; the OSV served and supported the entities it regulates by collaborating and coordinating with both public health and government officials. "We worked to develop procedures and protocols that enabled us to do what we needed to do: care for horses and enable the equine industry to operate while complying with health and safety standards," Stout said.
Once the State's executive orders, rules and regulations had been reviewed and interpreted by the OSV, employees began working with people in the equine industry to formulate appropriate procedures that would allow the ag industry to continue functioning during the pandemic. The office then communicated the expectation of compliance to the industry. Cooperation of all entities was necessary to allow the equine industry to remain in operation during quarantine.
Dealing with disease outbreak is not out of the ordinary for the OSV. "We applied the knowledge of managing equine disease outbreaks to managing the coronavirus," Stout explained. The OSV sought to create ways to better manage the people who interacted with the horses while educating governing authorities, some of whom were unfamiliar with horses and the equine industry.
On March 21, the OSV distributed guidelines and recommendations to breeding sheds on how to interpret Gov. Andy Beshear's order that was issued on March 23. This meant that breeding sheds had already begun implementing compliance protocols before the order was ever issued.
The guidelines recommended by the OSV included:
The OSV also developed guidance on how to safely fulfill daily farm responsibilities. This document was made available to all equine farming operations, veterinary practices, racing and training operations, and other equine businesses. It specified that to remain in compliance, equine operations should:
Though no one is sure how fall equestrian events will look, the protocols the OSV created were well received by people in public health and state government, and showed that the equine industry could continue operating safely. "How lucky are we to have a Department of Agriculture that recognizes how important the equine industry is to the state?" Stout asked.
The next KENA meeting will take place virtually on September 1. Sponsors of the educational series include Dinsmore Equine Law Group, Neogen Corporation, WesBanco, University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program, KESMARC Kentucky and the Equine Land Conservation Resource.
Lexington, KY (July 28, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council is conducting a survey of its members and other individuals in the Kentucky horse industry between now and August 15, 2020. This survey will be used to help the Kentucky Horse Council Board of Directors craft the position that the Council will take on issues currently facing the industry.
“We are reaching out to our membership to gather input on issues facing the industry, as well as the Kentucky Horse Council,” said Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “We believe it is important to check in with our members in order to provide accurate representation and to keep a pulse on what matters most to horsemen and women in Kentucky. I encourage every member of Kentucky’s horse industry to please participate in our survey. The information we gather enables us to better serve and represent our constituents, but also allows us to have a positive and lasting impact on Kentucky’s signature industry.”
The survey, which takes approximately ten minutes to complete, can be found at www.kentuckyhorse.org. All members of the Kentucky equine community are invited and encouraged to take the survey.
Lexington, KY (June 25, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced it will host a virtual meeting in July for the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA). This meeting, presented by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP's Equine Law Group, will feature Rusty Ford with the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian. Mr. Ford will discuss equine related COVID19 Guidelines. The meeting will happen on Zoom at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Registration is required.
Rusty Ford, the Equine Operations Consultant at the Office of the State Veterinarian, has been instrumental in helping to keep the horse industry functioning throughout the COVID19 crisis. Mr. Ford will discuss the guidelines for the safe operation of horse shows, breeding sheds, boarding barns and more. There will be additional time for questions and discussion from the participants.
“We are excited to present this topic that has affected every horse owner and enthusiast this spring,” Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “Kentucky is lucky to have such a strong advocate for the horse industry in this unprecedented crisis. Rusty’s experience and knowledge allowed for the continued operation of much of the equine industry and he has been an important liaison between the industry and state government.”
The July meeting is presented by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP's Equine Law Group. Dinsmore & Shohl is a full-service law firm with offices in twenty-three cities throughout eleven states and the District of Columbia, including Kentucky offices in Lexington, Frankfort, Louisville and Covington. The Dinsmore Equine Law Group is a generous supporter of the KENA dinner series.
Lexington, KY (June 15, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced a new partnership with Freedman Harness & Saddlery of Midway, Kentucky. Freedman’s, recognizing the difficult times that many are experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, sought a way to give-back to the local equine community.
During June and July any stable halters purchased at Freedman’s Boutique in Midway, Kentucky will contribute to the Kentucky Horse Council’s Save Our Horses, or SOHO, Fund, which is used to assist horses in need. For every halter purchased in-store or over the phone, $10 will be donated to the fund, with a goal of reaching at least $2,000 in donations. In addition, Freedman’s Boutique will serve as a collection location where Kentucky horse enthusiasts can give monetary donations to support the Kentucky Horse Council’s beneficiaries, in exchange for some of the handcrafted wares from Freedman’s.
Freedman’s Boutique has long been a staple of small businesses on Main Street in the picturesque town of Midway, Kentucky. Freedman’s is an integral asset to the show horse community across the United States, specializing in English tack and harness for American Saddlebreds, Arabians, Morgans, Hackneys, and carriage driving horses. However, owners David and Nicole Freedman felt it was their responsibility to help support the horses and horse owners in their local Kentucky community, regardless of breed or discipline.
“The Kentucky Horse Council is grateful to Freedman’s for their generosity and support of the SOHO Fund,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “2020 has been a difficult year for so many and we appreciate Freedman’s recognition of the impact on the greater horse community and their desire to help horses and horse owners across the Commonwealth.”
The Kentucky Horse Council’s SOHO Fund was set up in recognition that not all horses in Kentucky have access to adequate food, shelter, or veterinary care. This includes gelding and euthanasia voucher programs support for gelding and wellness clinics, as well as transportation for abandoned or neglected horses to reputable adoption or foster facilities. In addition, the SOHO Fund offers the Equine Safety Net Program, which provides hay and grain for horse owners who have suffered a temporary financial setback, such as a job loss or medical event, to help them maintain their horses during a temporary financial shortfall. The Safety Net Program has been modified during COVID-19 to offer one-time grants for hay and grain to qualifying horse owners who have been negatively impacted by the shutdowns..
To learn more about the SOHO Fund, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org.
ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA), trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs,personal liability insurance and other membership benefits. The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.
ABOUT FREEDMAN HARNESS -The Freedman’s story began in 1802 and it continues today with a lineage of master craftsmen who all shared the same vision, each in a different time, and with the same results: quality craftsmanship with the finest materials. The products have changed over time, but the essence remains the same. Steeped in the traditions of equestrian sport, Freedman's harness, saddles, bridles, bags and leather goods all echo a commitment to excellence that dates back six generations. Freedman's continues to offer harness and saddlery for horses from many disciplines. The company's strength lies in carriage driving and show horse such as Saddlebreds, Morgans, Arabians, Hackneys and more. Recently emerging as an equestrian fashion house, their expanded product line includes elegantly handcrafted handbags, travel bags, belts and leather goods. Learn more at FreedmanHarness.com.
Lexington, KY (June 2, 2020) – The Kentucky Horse Council has announced they will be awarding two $1,500 scholarships to Kentucky students already attending college, or accepted into a college who have demonstrated academic success, Kentucky equine industry involvement and community service for the Fall 2020 Semester.
The Equine Scholarship will be awarded to students currently enrolled with a university or college in Kentucky in an equine-related major or a horse-related program, or a student accepted into an equine related major or program to start in the Fall 2020 semester. Some examples of courses of studies for which the scholarships are intended are Equine Science/Studies, Equine Business Management, Equine Therapy, Pre-Veterinarian, Farrier Training, Professional Jockey Certificate, Professional Horsemen’s Certificate, etc. Applicants must be student members of the Kentucky Horse Council.
“The Kentucky Horse Council is once again offering scholarships to college students in Kentucky,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Katy Ross. “Education is a critical part of our mission and in these difficult times, we are pleased that we are able to still support students pursuing a career in the equine industry. Hopefully, these scholarships will allow students to continue to pursue their degrees, despite the hardships so many are facing. We encourage all Kentucky equine students to apply.”
Applications for the scholarship will be accepted until July 3, 2020. The scholarship will be awarded on August 3, 2020. The student is required to be a member of the Kentucky Horse Council. Student memberships are free and interested students may sign up at www.kentuckyhorse.org.
To download the scholarship application, visit www.kentuckyhorse.org.
Kentucky Equine Networking Meeting Offers Insight on how to Transport Horses Safely
Lexington, KY (March 3, 2020)- An array of equine owners and enthusiasts gathered at The Red Mile Clubhouse in Lexington, KY, last week for the winter meeting of the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA) hosted by the Kentucky Horse Council. The audience, which included equine business owners, students and personnel of colleges with equestrian programs, and individual horse owners, was interested in learning how to keep horses safe during transport as well as what rules and regulations they needed to follow when transporting horses.
Dr. Laura Werner, DVM, MS, DAVCS, a surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington and a FEI Veterinary Delegate at many of the top three-day eventing competitions in the United States, is well-versed in keeping elite competition horses on top of their game, whether they’re shipping just down the road or across the country. Dr. Werner spoke of how difficult travel can be on a horse’s physical health. Because of this, if a horse is prone to stomach upset while being transported longer distances, she recommends he receive gastric ulcer preventative medications a day before and a day or two after his travel plans.
Additionally, Dr. Werner noted that horses can become dehydrated while on a long trailer ride, either because they don’t have the opportunity to drink or they choose not to while on the road. To overcome this condition, she recommends oral fluids be delivered to a horse that is shipping for longer periods of time. Dr. Werner typically delivers these fluids through a nasogastric tube before the horse travels.
Lance Hayden, a lifelong horseman, has a varied equestrian career; now a driver for Creech Horse Transportation and manager of their Lexington office, Hayden offered insight into how commercial shipping works. He highlighted all of the safety checks Creech vehicles and trailers go through to ensure they are road safe: All vehicle and trailer lights and tires are inspected daily; wires, bearings and brakes on each trailer are checked twice a year, and the brakes on each vehicle are inspected every 30,000 miles. Each of these checks is significantly more detailed than the once-over most personal trailers receive, he noted.
Dr. Werner and Hayden both recommended that horses being shipped more than six hours be transported in a box stall; if that isn’t feasible, it’s imperative that the horse is shipped in such a manner that he’s able to put down his head to clear his lungs. “Shipping fever” is a condition that horses can develop if they’re forced to hold their heads at such an angle that they cannot clear dust, debris and bacterial particles from their trachea. These items enter a horse’s lungs and cause pneumonia.
In addition to allowing a horse to clear his airway while in the trailer, Dr. Werner suggests taking the horse’s temperature every 12 hours once he has arrived at his destination; this should be done for the next 48 to 72 hours to ensure he hasn’t contracting shipping fever while in transit.
Sgt. Jason Morris, Public Affairs Officer for the Kentucky State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, spoke to the diverse crowd about agricultural exceptions and exemptions. Many people in the audience were unclear about what requirements they needed to follow when shipping horses, both commercially and for personal use. He noted that those who haul their own horses as recreational riders are exempt from the regulations. Those who are hauling horses as a business, which includes trainers, farriers and for-profit transport companies, are subject to the regulations when the vehicles being operated exceeded 10,001 pounds physical weight or gross vehicle weight rating. Those same persons would be required a CDL when the vehicles exceed 26,001lbs physical weight or gross vehicle weight rating.
Additionally, he explained the difference between a “private” and a “for-hire” carrier is. A “private” carrier hauls only his own goods and commodities, meaning his own horse, tack, hay, etc. A “for-hire” carrier hauls someone else’s horses, hay, etc. Under this definition, there can be absolutely no money exchanged for movement of horses on a “private” trailer; Sgt. Morris reiterated that this means money in any manner: in the form of fuel, meals, check or cash. Additionally, like other legal issues, a state law can be more stringent than a federal law, so Sgt. Morris encouraged all those who haul horses across state lines be familiar with the laws in the states in which they are traveling. To find these laws, simply search “FMCSA Horse Hauling” in any search engine.
The three KENA panelists offered attendees advice on how to stay compliant with Kentucky state laws regarding hauling horses, as well as how to ensure that their mounts travel safely and arrive at their destination in good health.
The next KENA meeting will take place on April 21 at the Red Mile Clubhouse. Hosted by the Kentucky Horse Council, sponsors of the educational series include Dinsmore Equine Law Group, Neogen Corporation, University of Louisville College of Business Equine Industry Program, Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center (KESMARC) and WesBanco.
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