by wglasscock | Jan 11, 2024 | Events, News
Lexington, KY (January 10, 2024) The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced the new leadership of KEEP’s Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors unanimously elected Shannon Cobb to serve as chair and Rob Tribbett to serve as vice chair. They will replace Case Clay and David Ingordo, who will both continue their service on the KEEP Board.
Shannon Cobb, the Chief Operating and Financial Officer at Red Mile Racing and Gaming, steps into the role of chair with a wealth of experience in equine operations and financial management. Rob Tribbett, Vice President of the Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association in Lexington, KY, and General Manager of Watercress Farm in Paris, KY, assumes the vice chair position, bringing his expertise in breeding and association leadership to the forefront of KEEP’s strategic direction.
Commenting on her commitment to the new role, Shannon Cobb stated, “It’s an honor to be entrusted with the position of Chairman at KEEP. I am eager to collaborate with our Board of Directors and the entire equine community to drive further growth and prosperity for Kentucky’s vibrant equine industry. I am committed to upholding KEEP’s mission and ensuring its success.”
Will Glasscock, KEEP’s executive director, expressed enthusiasm about the new leadership, stating, “The appointments of Shannon Cobb as Chairman and Rob Tribbett to these roles reinforce KEEP’s commitment to fostering industry expertise and leadership within our board. Their combined experience and dedication will undoubtedly steer us toward continued success in promoting and advancing Kentucky’s thriving equine economy.”
For more information about the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) and its initiatives, please visit www.horseswork.com.
About KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Sep 19, 2023 | Events, News
Lexington, KY (Monday, September 18, 2023) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) mourns the loss of Governor Brereton Jones. Governor Jones, a visionary leader in Kentucky’s equine industry, helped create KEEP in 2004 and served as chairman of KEEP’s Board of Directors until 2011.
During his tenure as chairman, Governor Jones worked tirelessly to promote Kentucky’s horse industry. His dedication led to critical policy changes and initiatives that directly benefited horse owners, breeders, trainers, and enthusiasts across the state.
Under his leadership, KEEP worked with the state legislature to create the Kentucky Breeders’ Incentive Fund and the establishment of historical horse racing in the Commonwealth. These programs have significantly contributed to the current success of Kentucky’s horse industry.
“Governor Brereton Jones was a true champion for Kentucky’s horse industry,” said Case Clay, current chairman of KEEP. “His legacy will forever be felt in our organization and throughout the entire equine community. We are deeply saddened by his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
About KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Apr 5, 2023 | Events
by wglasscock | Mar 31, 2023 | Events, News
Lexington, KY. (Friday, March 31, 2023) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released this statement following the passage of HB 551:
KEEP commends the Kentucky Legislature for passing HB 551, which will legalize sports wagering in Kentucky.
KEEP and Kentucky’s horse industry have been actively involved for the past several years in advocating for sports wagering legislation that protects the role of Kentucky’s signature industry in the landscape of wagering options and provides new revenue for the state.
HB 551 accomplishes this by allowing for sports wagering to be offered in-person at Kentucky’s racetracks. Additionally, sports wagering will be governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, a testament to the trust that wagerers place in Kentucky’s horse industry.
Overall, this bill will benefit Kentucky’s horse industry and community by offering new revenue sources for the industry, as well as attracting new fans to the sport through the in-person experiences at Kentucky racetracks.
The legalization of sports wagering in Kentucky is a result of the hard work and dedication of lawmakers, industry leaders, and advocates who have been fighting for this change for years. KEEP has been a vocal supporter of this legislation, and we are proud to have played a role in making it a reality.
KEEP would like to thank the members of the Kentucky Legislature for their leadership and vision in passing this important legislation. We look forward to continuing to work with them and other stakeholders to ensure that Kentucky remains the horse racing capital of the world.
About KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Mar 14, 2023 | Events, News
Lexington, KY. (Tuesday, March 14, 2023) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released this statement following the passage of HB 594:
KEEP applauds the Kentucky General Assembly for the passage of HB 594, legislation that will ban illegal gray machines.
Getting this bill across the finish line was an incredible effort and KEEP is grateful to the legislators who supported the bill through the committee process and voted to pass the bill on the House and Senate floors.
KEEP would like to recognize the hard work of Representative Killian Timoney who sponsored the bill. We would also like to recognize Speaker of the House David Osborne; House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade; Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer; House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee Chairman Matt Koch; and Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee Chairman John Schickel for their work on this bill. The successful passage of this bill would not have been possible without their critical support.
KEEP, along with many other organizations, worked closely with legislators to ensure that they understood the negative impact of illegal gray machines on families, communities, and on Kentucky’s legal forms of gaming.
KEEP will continue working on behalf of Kentucky’s entire horse industry and community to advocate for policies that benefit everyone within the industry’s economic ecosystem. Growing the success of the industry’s more than 60,000 jobs and $6.5 billion economic impact on the state benefits all Kentuckians.
About KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Feb 15, 2023 | Events, News
Lexington, Ky. (Thursday, February 15, 2023) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that it will host its annual KEEP Day in Frankfort event on Thursday, February 23, 2023. KEEP Day at the Capitol provides KEEP grassroots members, industry leaders, breed associations, and other industry partners an opportunity to share with Kentucky lawmakers the importance of horses to their legislative districts and the state’s economy.
The event will take place from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM in the Senate Caucus Room, room 269 in the Capitol Annex.
Will Glasscock, KEEP’s executive director, commented, “Kentucky’s signature industry plays a critical role in the Commonwealth’s economy. The horse industry and community provide more than 60,000 jobs and $6.5 billion in annual economic impact for the state. We see this impact, not only at the racetracks and large horse farms, but across the state where small family-owned operations breed and train horses, grow hay, build fences, and sell farm equipment. KEEP Day is an opportunity to share this story with lawmakers and ensure that they understand the full depth and breadth of the industry and community.”
Created in 2004 to preserve, promote, and protect the state’s horse industry, KEEP represents and advocates on behalf of Kentucky’s entire industry – all breeds and equine pursuits.
RSVP to attend KEEP Day in Frankfort by emailing brittany@horseswork.com.
About KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Feb 8, 2023 | Events, News
Lexington, KY. (Wednesday, February 8, 2023) – On Friday, February 3rd, 2023, the KEEP Board of Directors voted to add three individuals to the board:
- Hallie Hardy – Executive Director of Horse Country in Lexington, KY
- Kim Smith – Founder and Executive Director of Second Stride in Crestwood, KY and Owner and Operator of Moserwood Farms in Prospect, KY
- Rob Tribbett – Vice President of the Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association in Lexington, KY and General Manager of Watercress Farm in Paris, KY
Additionally, the KEEP Board of Directors elected Shannon Cobb to serve as vice chair of the board. Cobb is the COO/CFO of the Red Mile in Lexington, KY. Cobb joins returning Board Chair Case Clay in the leadership of the organization.
The KEEP Board of Directors also welcomed three new representative members:
- Mindy Coleman, Jockeys’ Guild
- Conor Lucas, Revolutionary Racing
- Gerry Duffy, Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club
The board also recently voted to amend the organization’s by-laws to create an Emeritus Advisory Committee, comprised of original KEEP founding members. This committee will meet annually to review the work of KEEP, discuss industry challenges and continually evaluate the relevancy and direction of the organization. This committee will hold its inaugural meeting in June.
About KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Oct 14, 2022 | Events, News
Lexington, KY. Friday, October 14, 2022 – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement that it released an additional 64,716 H-2B visas to meet labor demands for FY 23:
KEEP commends the Department of Homeland Security for releasing an additional 64,716 H-2B visas to meet the labor demands for FY 23. KEEP has long been a member of the H-2B Workforce Coalition, which urges Congress to increase the statutory cap on H-2B visas to meet the demands on the program. However, short of action by Congress to address this issue, this announcement by the Department of Homeland Security is much needed to ensure a robust workforce in non-agriculture fields.
Kentucky’s horse industry relies on H-2B workers at tracks and training operations to meet the labor needs of the growing industry. The unreliable nature of the H-2B visa program is part of the reason why KEEP and the KEEP Foundation started the Equine Workforce Initiative in 2019. This initiative is working with industry stakeholders to create a talent pipeline and offer career pathways for more Kentuckians to work in the Commonwealth’s signature industry. Learn more about the Equine Workforce Initiative at: www.thekeepfoundation.org/initiative/.
ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Mar 22, 2022 | Events
Act now and support the passage of HB 606 to legalize sports wagering!
KEEP and Kentucky’s horse industry have been actively involved for the past several years in advocating sports wagering legislation that protects the role of Kentucky’s signature industry in the landscape of wagering options.
HB 606 accomplishes this by allowing for sports wagering to be offered in-person at Kentucky’s racetracks. Additionally, sports wagering will be governed by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, a testament to the trust that wagerers place in Kentucky’s horse industry.
Overall, this bill will benefit Kentucky’s horse industry and community by offering new revenue sources for the industry, as well as attracting new fans to the sport through the in-person experiences at Kentucky racetracks.
Please contact your Senators and ask them to vote in favor of HB 606.
by wglasscock | Jan 24, 2022 | Events, News
Lexington, Ky. (Monday, January 24, 2022) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that it will host its annual KEEP Day in Frankfort event on Thursday, January 27, 2022. KEEP Day in Frankfort provides KEEP grassroots members, industry leaders, breed associations, and other industry partners an opportunity to share with Kentucky lawmakers the importance of horses to their legislative districts and the state’s economy.
The event will take place from 9:00 AM – 10:45 AM in Room 113 in the Capitol Annex.
Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP’s Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, commented, “Kentucky’s horse industry and community create an annual economic impact on the state of $6.5 billion. More important, though, are the tens of thousands of jobs and thousands of businesses that contributed directly and in-directly to the state’s horse industry. These businesses and industry partners are the lifeblood of small towns across the state and it is critical that the industry flourish to support the small businesses and equine operations that are at the heart of Kentucky’s signature industry.”
Created in 2004 to preserve, promote, and protect the state’s horse industry, KEEP represents and advocates on behalf of Kentucky’s entire industry – all breeds and equine pursuits.
Jensen continued, “KEEP Day in Frankfort brings industry participants together with lawmakers to share how the policies developed in Frankfort have real impacts in the industry across the state. We look forward to showcasing all facets of the industry, including tourism and recreation, racing, non-racing breeds, and more.”
RSVP to attend KEEP Day in Frankfort by emailing brittany@horseswork.com.
ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Nov 22, 2021 | Events, News
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Monday, November 22, 2021) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following statement following the final hearing of the Kentucky General Assembly’s Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force:
KEEP is grateful to the legislators that served on the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force for their thorough and fair-minded examination of the many facets of Kentucky’s horse industry, the industry’s economic ecosystem, how the industry impacts the state, and the potential outcomes of adjusting the current varying tax rates on the different forms of pari-mutuel wagering.
KEEP was honored to be asked to testify during one of the five public hearings held by the Task Force. Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP’s Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, provided testimony on the current state of Kentucky’s entire horse industry, all breeds and disciplines, and its economic impact on the state including tourism, equine events, educational opportunities, the ripple effects across other sectors throughout the state, and more.
KEEP applauds the Task Force for its work on its final report and is supportive of the final recommendations that will be considered by the General Assembly during the next legislative session. KEEP looks forward to working closely with the legislature as it considers the Task Force’s recommendations.
ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky’s signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $50 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.
by wglasscock | Jun 29, 2021 | Events, News
Lexington, Ky. (Monday, June 28, 2021) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project Foundation (KEEP), and The Race For Education (RFE) are proud to announce their 2021 scholarship recipients.
The KEEP Foundation board of directors approved over $35,000 in scholarships to 11 students attending 10 universities across the Commonwealth. All of the 2021 scholarship recipients are students currently enrolled with a university or college in Kentucky in an equine and/or agriculture related major.
In addition to these 11 Kentucky students, the Race For Education awarded its annual Robert J. Frankel Scholarship to 3 New York state students: Reina Ceballos, Joseph Lee and Carlos Lopez. Now in its 11th year, the Robert J. Frankel Scholarship, in honor of the late Robert (Bobby) J. Frankel, is awarded to a student whose family is employed in the Thoroughbred industry, pursuing any field of study at a college or university in California or New York state. All three Frankel Scholarship recipients, whose parents work in the barns at various tracks in New York, will be attending universities in New York.
“Kentucky is the horse capitol of the world and having the Commonwealth’s colleges and universities prepare the next generation of leadership is vital to the horse industry’s continued success. KEEP congratulates this year’s scholarship awardees and looks forward to the future impact they will have on the industry,” said Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP’s Executive Vice President.
2021 Race For Education KEEP Foundation Scholarship
Ambre Azcona – University of Kentucky
Lily Crouch – University of Kentucky
ALeah Gardner – Morehead State University
Harrison Goode – University of Kentucky
Wheaton Hardwick – Kentucky Community & Technical College
Emma Ingalls – Asbury University
Emily James – Midway University
Alina Knore – Morehead State University
Elizabeth Lynch – Midway University
Kaitlyn Praisler – Morehead State University
Ava Simmons – Murray State University
ABOUT THE KEEP FOUNDATION
The mission of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), established in 2014, is to support the economic success of Kentucky’s signature industry by ensuring its continued economic viability, making the industry accessible for all who want to participate, introducing more young people to the industry and its opportunities, and educating the people of the Commonwealth about the importance of horses to the state, its economy, its heritage, and its people.
KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, visit www.HorsesWork.com.
ABOUT THE RACE FOR EDUCATION
Through academic development programs, tutoring, internships, financial literacy training and scholarships; The Race For Education provides opportunities for educational success for young people with significant financial need and academic challenges.
The ultimate goal of The Race For Education is to ensure our young people become successful in life and assets to their community – www.raceforeducation.org.
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