Oldham County Equine Council
Welcome!
"Horses and dogs have been man's most intimate and faithful companions since the dawn of history, but the horse has certainly been the most useful. In sport, agriculture, transport and warfare, the horse has contributed more to human pleasure, ambition and progress than any other animal."
-Prince Phillip (1921-) Forward to Monique and hans B. Bossenback, the Noble Horse (1987)
The Oldham County Equine Council is up and running in Oldham County. The council is open to all persons with an interest in the Oldham County equine industry.
The mission of the Oldham County Equine Council is to build a county-wide, broad-based educational and professional forum to increase awareness of the impact of the equine industry within Oldham County; to develop a comprehensive directory of equine businesses, services, and support businesses; to promote jobs and economic opportunities for equine operations and related support businesses. Additionally, the Council works with Oldham County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky governments and equine organizations to support state-wide equine initiatives and industry best practices.
November 2009
Oldham County Saddle Club Formed in Oldham County
www.oldhamcountysaddleclub.com
Sarah Garner has establis
hed the Oldham County Saddle Club to create a network of individuals who share a common love of horses. The club is open to individuals and families. Membership benefits include discounted horse show fees, members only and year-end awards, and social activities.
RoundAbout contributing writer, Hellen McKinney wrote an informative article about the formation of the club.
According to the article, Oldham County Equine Council president Mary Lowry provided direction and advice to Sarah in forming the club.
Congratulations to Sarah and the Oldham County Saddle Club, and best wished for 2010!
Horse Cent$
Tucked among rolling hills and black fences is a place most Oldham residents probably don’t know about — Highpointe Training Center, one of many local players in an industry that seems far away.
But it’s not in Lexington or Versailles where three derby contenders from Winstar Farm trained this spring -- it’s at Highpointe. The injured derby favorite I Want Revenge is also in Oldham County, in rehab at La Croix Farm. Oldham County’s Hermitage Farm has bred stakes winners the world over. But these examples are just a fraction of an industry that pours about $48 million into Oldham County’s economy, creating almost 400 jobs directly and affecting countless more.
Read John Foster's complete and balanced story published in the June 25 edition of the Oldham Era
Blog
Spring Run Horse Trials – 32 Years and Going Strong
Author: Emily Daily
06.26.2008
http://useventing.com/blog/?p=244
This weekend of June 14 and 15 Susan and Blake Harris hosted the 32nd annual Spring Run Horse Trials at their family farm in Prospect, Kentucky. The last event I went to was Rolex and as always it was an amazing experience, with the crowds, the vendors, and the best of the best competing. But, it was driving into Spring Run that I remembered why most of our members, from me, whose goal is to get to Novice again, to many of those now competing at Rolex, fell in love with the sport.
From the very beginning when you arrive you feel a part of the Spring Run family. When you first pull in you drive across the cattle gate, down past the trailers of those who have hauled in for the day, on through the woods and park in front of the family’s home. Next you are greeted by an amazing group of volunteers. From the secretaries to the score runners to the dressage ring stewards all are friends, family, or students at Spring Run and volunteered to spend their weekend helping Susan and Blake because they simply love being there. One such volunteer, Patti Naiser, put together the program, assisted the secretary, and competed for the first time at Beginner Novice at the event. It is these type of individuals that help make our sport possible.
Another Spring Run family member that I had the pleasure to meet was Janet Zoller. Janet began her riding career as a Pony Clubber, achieving her B rating, and riding in the same club as Susan Harris, when both were growing up. Then, as happens to many of us, riding was put on the back burner, as she went through college, then med school, got married, began a family, and developed a successful practice. After a twenty-four year hiatus she is back, and having as much fun as ever. She now enjoys the sport competing along side of her daughters Rachel and Alice. It is with Rachel’s previous Advanced level horse, Ben Starr, that she completed the Training Level Rider division at Spring Run this year. Adding nothing but time penalties to her dressage score, Janet finished in eighth place. Janet also won the 2008 Spring Run Poco Award! This award is presented to the highest placed finisher with the greatest combined age of horse and rider. Janet and Ben’s ages added up to 77. (I’m not telling the individual ages.)
Thank you to everyone at Spring Run, and to all of USEA’s organizers, that put these events on for the love of the sport!
For more information, visit: http://www.springrun.org/shows.html
Louisville Equestrian Center Highlighted in the February 2009 RoundAbout
Helen McKinney, contributing writer for the RoundAbout, highlights the Louisville Equestrian Center in the February 2009 issue of RoundAbout. The facility is now under construction in eastern Jefferson County.
Betsy Webb's stables will become part of the new Louisville Equestrian Center, located at 2612 S. English Station Rd in Eastern Jefferson County. The center will be adjacent to the 21st Century Parks project along the Floyd’s Fork Corridor. This center is being designed as a year-round facility able to accommodate 100 horses and 500 clients in the saddlebred community.
Helen has written several fine articles on the Oldham County equine community and her current story includes insights of many in the Oldham County equine community.
April 29, 2008
Governor Beshear Names Three from Oldham County to Kentucky Horse Racing Authority
Governor Steve Beshear has appointed five new members to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, including three prominent Oldham County horse people.
Lexington attorney Robert Beck, Jr. of Stites & Harbison, is the new chairman. Beck is the founder, director and president of the American College of Equine Attorneys. Also appointed is Lexington standardbred breeder Alan J. Leavitt, the owner of Walnut Hall Ltd.The three new members from Oldham County are Oldham County Equine Council members Ned Bonnie and Betsy Lavin, and veterinarian Foster Northrop.
Read the Press Release from the Governor's Office
Read the Lexington Herald-Leader story from April 29.Congratulations to these leaders of the Oldham County equine community!
January 21, 2008
The Oldham County Cooperative Extension Office has released its updated 2008 Oldham County Equine Directory. The directory includes a listing of Oldham County horse breeders and sellers; arenas; boarding operations; equine supplies; farrier services; equine organizations and riding clubs; riding instruction businesses; transport; veterinarians, and more.
For changes and additions to the directory, contact Traci Missun at (502) 222-9453.
December 4, 2007
Oldham Equine Council Releases First County-Wide Equine Study
Download a Report Highlights Presentation (PowerPoint)
Download the December 19 Courier-Journal Article by Melissa Gagliardi
Download the December 27 Article in the Oldham Era by Elizabeth Troutman
Download the January 2008 RoundAbout Article by Helen McKinney
CRESTWOOD, KY (December 4, 2007) The Oldham County, Kentucky equine industry is a major contributor to Oldham County’s economy, according to a equine survey commissioned by the Oldham County Equine Council and Oldham Ahead.
Ken Heppermann of Equine Business Resources LLC conducted the first Oldham County-wide survey and one of the few county-wide equine economic impact studies in Kentucky and in the United States.
The breeding, raising, training, showing, racing, riding, and care of thousands of equine each year in Oldham County collectively make a significant contribution to the Oldham County economy. The equine industry is a thriving part of the Oldham County economic landscape and has the potential to grow even larger according to the study.
The equine industry is a leading component of the Oldham County agricultural sector. The study reflects that as of December 31, 2006, there were approximately 377 equine operations housing 3,186 equine, situated on more than 10,000 acres of the county. These operations generate an estimated 388 jobs and have an economic impact of more than $48.9 million.
The equine operations in the county represent a major land use in the county, providing necessary acreage for the equine industry while providing intangible benefits to residents and visitors. Tertiary benefits of horse property include the provision of open spaces and scenic vistas in one of the fastest growing counties in Kentucky. The 13,929 acres associated with equine operations represent 22 percent of the total of 62,500 acres of agricultural land in the county recorded during the 2002 Census of Agriculture.
The study affirms that Oldham County is a leading equine county in Kentucky and the nation. The 2002 Census of Agriculture reflected the county’s 2002 equine inventory of 2,959 placed Oldham County eighth in Kentucky and in the top seven percent of counties nationwide. Based on this year’s survey, the horse inventory continues to grow in the county.
Mary Lowry, president of the Oldham County Equine Council believes the results of the study will be useful to local and state elected leaders in making land-use decisions and developing equine related legislation. The results should also be useful for regional and state equine organizations in their efforts to quantify the economic impacts Kentucky’s signature industry.
The breadth and depth of Oldham County’s equine industry suggest that there is significant untapped potential for equine related tourism in the county and that efforts to establish a regional horse park should be pursued.
Download the report to see the full impact of Oldham County's equine industry on the county's economy.
Membership and Board
(Photo by Michael Hayman, The Courier-Journal)
Oldham County Equine Council membership is free and open to all individuals, families, companies, students, and organizations with an interest in the Oldham County equine business and recreation areas.
Mary Lowry has recruited an impressive initial Board that represents a broad cross-section of Oldham County equine interests—from the Thoroughbred, Saddlebred, Morgan, and other breed communities; boarding and lesson operations; fox hunters and trail riders. Board members, in addition to Mary Lowry include: Ashley Bowles, Alf Caldwell, Brett Donner, Whitney Drury, Tawana Edwards, Sandy Gerbino, Susan Harris, Diana Hinto-Beard, Kathy Hockersmith, Betsy Lavin, Del Lowell, Traci Missun, Duane Murner, Lori Osborne, Emily Ragan, Sara Rankin, and Maggie Rataj.
Betsy Lavin was appointed to the Kentucky Racing Commission by Governor Steve Beshear in late April, 2008.
Others that would like to serve on the board or serve on committees that will be formed should contact Mary Lowry at (502) 228-9539.
The Oldham County Cooperative Extension Service is assembling an Oldham County Equine Directory. The directory provides a means for equine related businesses to advertise for free and for individuals to easily locate equine service providers. This free directory will be available in print and online at the council’s web site.
Businesses and individuals can download the directory form on the equine council website and return it to the UK Cooperative Extension Service, 1815 N. Hwy 393, LaGrange, KY 40031. For additional information, contact Traci Missun, Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent at (502) 222-9453, or email her at traci.missun@uky.edu.
New Oldham County Equine Directory is Available
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service of Oldham County has assembled a new Oldham County Equine Directory.
The directory provides a means for equine related businesses and activities to advertise for free and for individuals to easily locate equine service providers in Oldham County.
The directory will be a "living document" and will be updated at least quarterly. Businesses and individuals can download the directory form on the equine council website and return it to the UK Cooperative Extension Service, 1815 N. Hwy 393, LaGrange, KY 40031. For additional information, contact Traci Missun, Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent at (502) 222-9453, or email her at traci.missun@uky.edu.
Download the 2007 Oldham County Equine Directory
Click here for more information
From Equestrian Economic Impact Analysis: How Your Community Benefits, Equestrian Land Conservation Resource, Lexington, Kentucky
Visit the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource at www.elcr.org
News and Photographs Needed
We welcome your input, news, and photo's to make this site interesting and relevant to the Oldham County equine community. Please forward your input and digitals photos to: equinecouncil@oldhamequinecouncil.org
Contact:
Oldham County Equine Council
P.O. Box 1223
Crestwood, KY 40014
email: equinecouncil@oldhamequinecouncil.org
12/13/2009
