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$1,000 To Be Awarded to a Deserving Student Pursuing an Equine Career
November 23, 2020 -- Lexington, KY – Dinsmore & Shohl’s Equine Law Group announced today their intention to sponsor one of the Kentucky Horse Council’s $1,000 scholarships for 2021. Each year, the Kentucky Horse Council offers scholarship funds to students attending a Kentucky college, university or trade school in the pursuit of an equine-associated career. Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring 2021 semester.
The $1,000 Dinsmore & Shohl Scholarship will be awarded to a student who is currently enrolled or who will be enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester. Applicants must be participating in equine-oriented classes or equine programs that focus on preparing students for careers in the equine industry. If no major or minor is offered, students must be able to demonstrate how they plan to use their area of study within the equine industry.
“We’re very excited to offer this scholarship to a deserving student,” says Kerry Irwin, a partner with Dinsmore & Shohl and a Kentucky Horse Council board member. “Cultivating the future of the equine industry and educating equine enthusiasts is a passion for me and for my firm. We are grateful for the opportunity to support both students and the Kentucky Horse Council during such a challenging year.”
Some Kentucky schools that offer equine-focused programs include: Asbury University, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgetown College, the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program, Kentucky Horseshoeing School, Midway University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, the North American Racing Academy (part of the Bluegrass Community & Technical College), Northern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University, among others. Examples of courses of studies for which the scholarships are intended include equine science, equine management, equine business, equine-assisted therapy, pre-veterinarian, national farrier training program, equine industry workforce certificate and others.
Applications for the scholarship will be accepted until December 11, 2020. Scholarship recipients will be announced on January 4, 2021.
To download the Kentucky Horse Council scholarship application, visit kentuckyhorse.org/KHC-Scholarship
November 9, 2020 – Lexington, KY – 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) will be offered virtually on Tuesday, November 17, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. This meeting, presented by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Equine Law Group, is free and will feature tips and tricks to help horse owners save money while maintaining quality care. Panelists include Krista Lea, Jen Shah and Dr. Jill Stowe, with moderator Stephanie Church.
Jen Shah, CPA and head of Dean Dorton’s equine practice, will offer insight into potential tax savings and deductions for equine operations. Dr. Jill Stowe, an associate professor in Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, focuses most of her research on equine markets. Dr. Stowe will offer KENA attendees some guiding principles for horse-management decisions and provide insight on how to weigh the economic impacts of these decisions.
Krista Lea holds a master’s degree in Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences and coordinates the University of Kentucky Horse Pasture Evaluation Program. Krista will offer viewers easy-to-implement strategies to reduce the cost of horse ownership. This hour-long event will be moderated by Stephanie Church, Editor-in-Chief at The Horse Media Group, parent company of The Horse magazine, TheHorse.com and Off-Track Thoroughbred magazine.
All four KENA speakers are avid horse lovers and have been involved in various facets of Kentucky’s equine industry, including management, racing and sport-horse competition, as well as research, education and publishing.
This event will be held in conjunction with the Kentucky Horse Council’s annual meeting, which will take place on November 17 at 7 p.m., immediately before the KENA event. Pre-registration is required. Find sign-up information for both events at https://kentuckyhorse.org/KENA
KENA provides 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 Dinsmore Equine Law Group, WesBanco, Neogen, University of Louisville Equine Industry Program, KESMARC Kentucky, and Equine Land Conservation Resource.
The November event is presented by Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Equine Law Group. Dinsmore & Shohl is a full-service law firm with offices in 23 cities throughout 11 states and the District of Columbia, including Kentucky offices in Lexington, Frankfort, Louisville and Covington.
$3,000 To Be Awarded to Students Pursuing Equine Careers
October 27, 2020 -- Lexington, KY –Each year, the Kentucky Horse Council offers $3,000 in scholarship funds to students attending a Kentucky college, university or trade school in the pursuit of an equine-associated career. Applications are now being accepted for the Spring 2021 semester. Qualified applicants must demonstrate academic success, Kentucky equine industry involvement and community service during the past year. Applicants must be student members of the Kentucky Horse Council.
Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who are currently enrolled or who will be enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester. Applicants must be participating in equine-oriented classes or equine programs that focus on preparing students for careers in the equine industry. If no major or minor is offered, students must be able to demonstrate how they plan to use their area of study within the equine industry.
“The Kentucky Horse Council is grateful for the ability to once again offer scholarships to deserving students attending schools in our state,” says Kentucky Horse Council Executive Director Sarah Coleman. “Education is a key tenet of our mission and we look forward to assisting multiple students as they explore careers in the equine industry.”
To become a student member of the Kentucky Horse Council, visit kentuckyhorse.org/join-us. Click here to download the scholarship application or visit https://kentuckyhorse.org/KHC-Scholarship
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.
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