Kentucky Equine Education Project | Horse Racing Free Tips

KEEP Begins Youth Grant Program

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) Foundation has launched a youth grant program in order to help support youth who want to become involved with or continue their involvement in the equine industry. Youth grants of up to $500 are available to individuals ages 21 and under who want to attend an equine educational opportunity in Kentucky.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity to Kentucky's youth,” said Alexandra Harper, executive director of the KEEP Foundation. “The equine industry depends on the next generation of equine enthusiasts to become involved as much as possible, and the KEEP Foundation wants to make sure that a variety of industry pathways are available to our youth and a lack of financial support doesn't keep them from participating.”

The application period for the KEEP Foundation Youth Grant opens June 1 and closes July 29. The application and more information can be found here.

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Annual KEEP Day In Frankfort To Be Held January 27

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that it will host its annual KEEP Day in Frankfort event on Thursday, Jan. 27.

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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KEEP Day to Be held Jan. 27

The Kentucky Equine Education Project will host its annual KEEP Day in Frankfort Thursday. 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.

“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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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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