January, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

KEEP Foundation Hires Harper As Executive Director

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation has announced the hiring of Alexandra Harper as its new executive director.

“I'm excited about taking the reins as Executive Director,” Harper said. “I look forward to taking the KEEP Foundation to the next level through enhanced fundraising efforts and educational events, continued workforce development initiative, and expanding the efforts toward making the industry more accessible. I've spent my entire professional and personal life in this industry and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish as we work together toward the common goal of a thriving and ever evolving Kentucky horse industry.”

Harper, who graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in corporate communications and completed an MBA at Midway University, was the practice manager at Park Equine Hospital before joining the KEEP Foundation. She also worked for the American Saddlebred Horse Association (AHSA) and also worked as the operations and communications coordinator for the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs, where she was involved with a number of education initiatives in the Thoroughbred, Sport Horse, and other equine disciplines.

In addition to hiring Harper, the KEEP Foundation added Price Bell and Reese Koffler-Stanfield to its Board of Directors. Bell is the General Manager of Mill Ridge Farm and Koffler-Stanfield is an International Dressage rider, trainer, clinician, and owner of Maplecrest Farm.

The Board of Directors also elected officers for 2022. Elisabeth Jensen will serve as Chair while continuing to manage the policy and legislative affairs of the KEEP Alliance. Katie LaMonica will serve as Vice Chair and Shannon Cobb will serve as Treasurer.

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Laurel Cancels Live Racing Monday

Having returned from a brief hiatus with a full program Sunday, Jan. 16, Laurel Park was forced to cancel its holiday racing card Monday due to the lingering effects of a winter storm that swept through the Midlantic region Sunday.

The Maryland track was closed for 18 days in late autumn over safety and weather-related concerns despite the installation of a new multi-million surface. No live racing had been held since Jan. 2 prior to Sunday. A 30-minute video conference was held with members of the Maryland racing community and track executives Jan. 11 to discuss the timeline for a return to racing. Trainers were largely in favor of a sooner-than-later approach, even with the knowledge of the approaching weather system, as opposed to a more conservative plan that would have seen racing delayed to Thursday, Jan. 20.

Racing is scheduled to resume Thursday at Laurel.

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Ruidoso To Implement New Enhanced Identification System For Microchipped Thoroughbreds And Quarter Horses

Lip Chip LLC announces new pilot program being launched later in 2022 to bring integrity and transparency back to horse racing. The program starts at Ruidoso Downs during the summer meet and possibly progresses to other supportive tracks.

Lip Chip offers advanced equine microchipping technology and was built by horsemen, for horsemen. The program will offer access to the Chip Link System, which will be available to horsemen everywhere in 2023.

The Chip Link System includes the following:

Each horse is microchipped with a low frequency microchip, either in the superior lip placement, or the nuchal ligament.
Each horse has their owner information, breed, age, sex, color, markings, and emergency contact information uploaded into the secure
Each horse has four current photos as well as copies of their current Coggins, piroplasmosis, health certificates, and registration papers uploaded into the secure

o Only a certified track identifier or an approved veterinarian may upload information into the database.

Once a horse has been implanted with their unique microchip, a simple scan with the Chip Link Reader will unlock this data and send it to a mobile app housed on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

American Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds alike will be included in the program. Each time a horse enters or exits the backside gates, they will be scanned to secure identification and documentation. When a horse arrives at the holding barn, paddock, clocks for a morning work, or test barn, they will be scanned to verify identity.

Lip Chip has been partnering with Ruidoso Downs for the last year to beta test the Chip Link System. With the help of the tracks, Lip Chip hopes to lessen issues such as cheating and gain transparency.

“We are excited to team up with Lip Chip to protect our horses and better serve our racing fans,” said Rick Baugh of Ruidoso Downs. “Our track is continually working to improve security on the backside and keep our equine population safe. We want to produce a product that assures the fans a level playing field.”

Julie Farr, horsemen's Liaison with Lip Chip LLC, also expressed her excitement for the upcoming program.

“Lip Chip would like to thank AARD Managing Partner Johnny Trotter and Ruidoso Downs for their continued support,” said Farr.

The post Ruidoso To Implement New Enhanced Identification System For Microchipped Thoroughbreds And Quarter Horses appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Applications Open For Riding A Dream Academy Residential Week

Applications are now open for the second Residential Week of the Riding A Dream Academy. Aimed at supporting talented young riders aged 14-18 from under-represented communities, diverse backgrounds and those that ride at urban equestrian centres, the Academy is funded by the Racing Foundation. It was set up after Khadijah Mellah's win in the Magnolia Cup at Goodwood when she became the first British Muslim woman to win a UK horserace. The Residential Week is an introduction to British horse racing and will be held at the British Racing School (BRS) from May 30-June 3. To apply, please visit the Riding A Dream Academy website.

ITV presenter Oli Bell, who co-founded the Academy alongside Great British Racing's Naomi Lawson said, “At the Academy we are passionate about providing opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds, who have learnt to ride at an urban equestrian centre or city farm so that we can help to make racing more diverse and inclusive. We'd love to uncover more stars of the future but more than that, this is about giving opportunities to people who might not otherwise have had it and showing what a wonderful sport racing is.”

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