Additionally, Elisabeth Jensen who stepped down from that position in Sept. will serve as a consultant, assisting KEEP in managing board relations, industry stakeholders and with long-term strategic planning.

Growing up in Kentucky, Glasscock attended the College of Charleston and the George Washington University before working for nearly nine years in congressional offices and as the director of government relations for a national trade association.

Case Clay, Chairman of KEEP's Board of Directors, said, “Will's significant knowledge of the legislative process and the needs of our industry, as well as his many years with KEEP, will allow for a smooth transition and immediate success in his new role.”

The new executive director began working as a consultant for KEEP in 2017. Since then, he has taken on different roles within the organization, including KEEP's advocacy in Frankfort and Washington D.C., membership management, strategic planning and the KEEP Foundation. Most recently, he launched KEEP's Legislative Advocacy Committee, an important element in connecting individuals in the equine industry with legislators in the state's capitol.

Glasscock said, “I am honored to have been asked to take on this position for an organization that is so vital to Kentucky and to Kentucky's horse industry. Thanks to Elisabeth Jensen's leadership for the past five years, KEEP is stronger than ever and I look forward to building on the organization's success. I also look forward to continuing to work with Elisabeth in her new role and with the KEEP Board of Directors and its leadership.”

As a non-profit KEEP serves as Kentucky's equine economic advocate in order to preserve, promote and protect the state's multi-breed horse industry.

Click here to learn more about KEEP.

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The KEEP Board of Directors is currently performing a search to hire Jensen's replacement. Jensen will continue to serve on the KEEP Board following her retirement.

“Elisabeth has been an incredible asset to the horse industry and we are grateful to have had her at the helm during some of the industry's most serious challenges,” said Case Clay, Chairman of KEEP's Board. “Without her leadership at KEEP, the industry would not be on the solid footing that it is today. There are many challenges and tasks ahead and that is why we are grateful that Elisabeth has agreed to join the KEEP Board of Directors. Her continued input will be immensely valuable to the organization.”

Jensen worked closely with the Kentucky Legislature in 2021 to secure the passage of legislation that maintained historical horse racing as a revenue stream for the industry, resulting in increased purses, greater field sizes, and more equine businesses relocating to Kentucky. She also led KEEP's advocacy to ensure that land-use decisions are made locally to protect the irreplaceable farmland across Central Kentucky; fended off threats of rising tax rates and protected tax exemptions, both related to the horse industry; and worked in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center to create the Equine Talent Pipeline initiative.

“A major career and lifestyle change brought me to Kentucky to work in the horse industry for over 20 years,” said Jensen. “It has been a dream to come to work every day in an industry I love and it has been an honor to be an advocate for the horse in Kentucky and across the U.S. I look forward to the opportunity to focus more time and energy on my and my husband's cattle farm and being more involved in family businesses.”

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Since its release on May 1, 2017, the number of Kentuckians who have chosen to use the plate has continued to increase annually. From each purchase and renewal of the plate, $10 is donated to the KEEP Foundation to be used for educational initiatives related to the state's horse industry. To date, funding from the license plate has totaled nearly $140,000.

The KEEP Foundation's Seattle Slew specialty license plate would not have been possible without the gracious support of Karen and Mickey Taylor, the owners of Seattle Slew, and Bobby Shiflet, owner of the Tony Leonard Collection, who donated the photo of Seattle Slew that was used for the license plate.

“The KEEP Foundation's Seattle Slew specialty license plate has paid incredible dividends for the Commonwealth by directing these funds toward essential education and workforce development projects,” said Elisabeth Jensen, Chair of the KEEP Foundation Board of Directors. “We look forward to where the next five years will take us and we have no doubts that it will match the incredible success that we have seen over the past five years. The KEEP Foundation will be forever grateful to the Taylors and the Tony Leonard Collection for making this success possible.”

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KEEP members who successfully scan a unique QR code and tag KEEP in a social media post at each of the six participating Kentucky racetracks during their 2022 racing meets will be entered to win four VIP tickets the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Nov. 4-5 in addition to dinner for four at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse in Lexington.

Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, said, “Thanks to the support of Kentucky's legislature and governor, Kentucky continues building the strongest racing circuit in the country. The Commonwealth Racing Challenge gives people an opportunity to see the depth and breadth of the circuit throughout 2022.”

For more information, visit www.horseswork.com/commonwealth-racing-challenge.

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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 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. 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.”

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The event will take place from 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m. in Room 113 in the Capitol Annex.

“Kentucky's horse industry and community create an annual economic impact on the state of $6.5 billion,” said Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's executive vice president. “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.”

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“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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Reflecting on the impactful work of the KEEP Foundation in its Equine Workforce Initiative and an investment in broader education about the industry to more young Kentuckians, the KEEP Foundation Board of Directors have hired Alexandra Harper to build on these successes and further elevate the work of the organization across the Commonwealth.

Prior to joining the KEEP Foundation, Harper was the practice manager at Park Equine Hospital. She previously worked for the American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA) as the special programs manager, where she produced the 2019 ASHA Youth Conference which brought record-breaking attendance from the United States, and developed a continuing education program for members. In addition, she 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. Harper originally hails from Charleston, WVa. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors of Arts in Corporate Communications and attained a Master of Business Administration from Midway University.

“Since 2018, when the KEEP Foundation began working across the industry and in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Workforce Center on the Equine Workforce Initiative, the Foundation has been at the center of the conversation in planning for the future of the horse industry in Kentucky and ensuring that that future is led by a homegrown workforce that provides economic impact in all 120 counties,” said Elisabeth Jensen, newly-elected chair of the KEEP Foundation board of directors. “The hiring of Alexandra Harper brings invaluable passion and experience that will allow the Foundation to meet the moment and excel beyond what we've been able to do before.”

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.

Established in 2014, the KEEP Foundation is the charitable arm of the Kentucky Equine Education Project. Funded by horse industry participants and through the sale of the Seattle Slew specialty license plate, the KEEP Foundation seeks to support the continued economic success of the Kentucky horse industry by increasing access to the industry for more Kentuckians and educating Kentuckians about the industry and its career opportunities. In the coming year, the Foundation will continue to focus on its Equine Workforce Initiative, industry education events and outreach, and opportunities to spotlight and grow Kentucky's horse industry across the state.

The mission of the 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.

To learn more about the KEEP Foundation, visit www.thekeepfoundation.org

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Developed with the help of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Workforce Center, and The Race for Education, the video and supplementary resources—part of KET's In Demand series—offer a roadmap of potential career pathways in the horse industry and include helpful tips on getting started, whether through internships, apprenticeships, or a state university or college program.

Additionally, the resources offer an overview of thoroughbred jobs, including detailed descriptions of the work expectations, employee qualifications and average annual salary ranges.

“The thoroughbred industry is looking for qualified and dedicated employees who have a passion for the industry,” said Laurie Mays, the Equine Talent Pipeline Management program manager with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Workforce Center. “For those with horsemanship abilities, there are hands-on positions that work directly with horses. But there are positions in other areas as well, everything from landscaping and maintenance to finance and office work. There really is something for everyone in the industry.”

Generating $6.5 billion annually, Kentucky's thoroughbred industry is a cornerstone of the state's economy. Kentucky is home to some 54,000 thoroughbreds and leads all states in annual thoroughbred breeding, accounting for more than half of all mares bred in North America in 2019, according to Bloodhorse.com.

“Even at a time when it is successfully growing, the horse industry has faced labor shortages,” said Elisabeth Jensen, executive vice president of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), a nonprofit agency that supports the Commonwealth's horse industry. “Nearly 80,000 Kentuckians work within the industry, and we want to introduce these jobs and careers to a new generation of Kentuckians who will build on this current success and ensure that we remain Kentucky's signature industry.”

KET's In Demand series, which initially debuted in 2019 in a partnership with the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet (EWDC), highlights career pathways in Kentucky's fastest growing industry sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, business & IT, construction, transportation & logistics, and healthcare. The series is designed to help job seekers get the information they need as they transition to new employment.

“As with all our educational materials, KET strives to support learners of all ages as they work toward their future careers,” said Tonya Crum, KET's senior director of education. “This series provides a glimpse of what working in the thoroughbred industry is like and also furnishes useful data to aid in the decision-making process. And raising awareness of various jobs in Kentucky ultimately helps job seekers choose a path that matches their interests.”

For more information, visit KET.org/horseindustry.

KET is Kentucky's largest classroom, where learning comes to life for more than one million people each week via television, online and mobile. Learn more about Kentucky's preeminent public media organization at KET.org/Education, on Twitter @EducationKET and on Facebook @EducationKET.

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Industry representatives praised the current rates on historical horse racing and race wagers in two presentations, one from Elisabeth Jensen, the executive vice president of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), and the second from Chauncey Morris, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.

“Kentucky horse racing will remain competitive based on our current tax rates, we believe,” said Morris. “It's taken us 10 years to couple the best horse industry in the world with a more modest form of gaming and the dividends for Kentucky are transformational.”

According to WTVQ, the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force is scheduled to meet once a month before presenting its findings and recommendations to the Legislation Research Commission (LRC) by Dec. 1, 2021.

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