Hot Off the Presses
Be aware of the new AQHA Incentive Fund rule as it pertains to the requirement of a "Competition License" for 2012 and beyond. Because KyQHA Breeders' Incentive Fund mirrors AQHA Incentive Fund rules, you will need to make sure your AQHA IF/KyQHA BIF horse is compliant. Click Here to go to the AQHA IF information regarding the "Competition License" beginning in 2012. Note the requirement for the license is for the competing horse. Stallion nominators and foal nominators will continue to receive their payouts regardless if the competing horse secures a "Competition License." Note this rule is for competitions beginning in 2012, and DOES NOT affect the 2011 competition year.
«Click Here For More Information«
Horse Owners/Operators Needed for Kentucky Equine Survey
A looming deadline is near for all horsemen in Kentucky: Feb. 17. This is the last day when Kentucky horse owners can provide their name and contact information for sample surveys that will estimate the number of horses in Kentucky by county, breed, and use. The Kentucky Equine Survey happens this year, and the survey team hopes to receive at least 17,000 names and addresses for the survey.
Kentucky proclaims itself "Horse Capital of the World," yet it has been 35 years since there was an accurate count of the total number of equine in the state. All horse, pony, mule, and/or donkey owners and operators in the state are urged to participate in this upcoming survey.
This important information will become available as the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Kentucky Horse Council, and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conduct a statewide equine study beginning in the summer of 2012. Results include a county-level estimate of the number of all breeds of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules, and their uses, as well as the economic impact of equine-related activity across Kentucky.
In order to ensure that each breed and discipline is accurately represented, NASS needs a complete list of horse owners and horse operation owners across the state. Horsemen are being asked to help build this list by sending their contact information directly to NASS. NASS protects this data, and no other agency, public or private, can access any individual's information. This means the submitted information will not be used anywhere else or shared with any other organization, including those leading the survey. The NASS confidentiality pledge can be found at www.nass.usda.gov.
Horse and facility owners, please send your name, address, and phone number to nass-ky@nass.usda.gov and put "Kentucky Equine Survey" in the subject line. Or you can go to www.kentuckyhorse.org/KES-names/ and complete the form, which will be sent directly to NASS.
AGAIN, THE DEADLINE FOR THIS INFORMATION IS FEB. 17, 2012.
With everyone's help and participation, we will know by early 2013 how many horses there are in Kentucky, by type, use, and county, and what the overall economic impact is to the Commonwealth. This information will be used to strengthen the industry and provide a benchmark for Kentucky's agricultural economy and its signature equine industry.
For more information on the project, please visit: https://www2.ca.uky.edu/equine/kyequinesurvey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AQHA Showing News Roundup
Here are the latest news items that you as an AQHA show competitor need to know:
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Many changes were made in 2011 that will affect how you show your American Quarter Horse in 2012. Be informed before you head off to your next AQHA show, plus celebrate the triumphs and mourn the passings from 2011. The first AQHA Cowboy Mounted Shooting World Championship Show will be held in conjunction with the Pfizer AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championship Show on March 1-3 in Houston. AQHA announces classes to be held at the inaugural Novice championships and state qualifying methods for the event. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo opens with the largest AQHA Equestrians With Disabilities competition to date. |
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The first issue of The American Quarter Horse Journal for 2012 yields great fodder for insightful quotes.
The 2012 AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations is now available online and in print.
AQHA is now accepting bids for management of the 2012 AQHA World Championship Show Sale.
National
Collegiate Equestrian Association
The entity formally known as Varsity Equestrian has established an association to become the voice for the sport of equestrian within college athletics.
AQHA
Launches Trail Challenges
Starting in 2012, Trail Challenges will become a new competition for recreational riders.
Register online for the 2012 AQHA Convention today.
The AQHA Incentive Fund stallion enrollment deadline is extended to January 16. AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America's Horse, visit AQHA Publications.
Norm Luba Named 2011 Friend of the UK Equine Initiative
By Holly Wiemers
LEXINGTON, Ky., (Dec. 15, 2011) - Norm Luba was named 2011 Friend of the University of Kentucky's Equine Initiative during the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association's annual meeting and banquet Dec. 10 in Lexington.
Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council, was recognized for his leadership, vision and work on behalf of the Equine Initiative. Luba currently serves as the chair of the UK College of Agriculture Equine Advisory Committee and has been involved in the Equine Initiative since early in its formation and in college equine programming before that.
"Norm brings his interest and knowledge of the horse and the horse industry, plus a strong desire to make our equine programs the best they can be," said Bob Coleman, extension horse specialist and associate director for undergraduate education in Equine Science and Management.
"This award was created to recognize our stakeholders for contributions that elevate what we offer and challenge us to provide the best possible programs," said Nancy Cox, associate dean for research in UK's College of Agriculture, Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station director and administrative leader for UK's Equine Initiative. "Norm has provided valuable leadership in developing our undergraduate program, and he led theprocess to create the college's Equine Advisory Committee, and then agreed when we asked him to serve as its initial chair. In that post he has created lively, relevant and provocative discussions. He represents stakeholder leadership and engagement at its very best."
Luba has been a long-time supporter of equine activities at UK, including presenting at seminars, lecturing in classes and policy and procedures work for the state 4-H Horse Program and Horse College. He played a vital role in helping to shape the curriculum for the Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program, bringing his academic experience and knowledge of equine industry needs to the table.
Prior to his role with the North AmericanEquine Ranching Information Council, Luba taught within the University of Louisville's equine business program, served as manager of the University of Maryland Research Center and taught within its equine program and worked in the Cooperative Extension Program at UMD.
He has been actively involved in the horse industry most of his professional life. He served as the executive director of the Kentucky Horse Council and developed the Racing Steward Accreditation Program. Luba currently serves on the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association's board of directors, the American Youth Horse Council, the Animal Welfare Council and the Sales Integrity Task Force. He also actively shows Quarter Horses and is competitive on a national level. Luba earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and master's from UMD.
"Norm has been extremely helpful to the UK equine program. As chair of the college's Equine Advisory Committee, he has provided valuable leadership in shaping our program," said Ed Squires, director of the Equine Initiative and executive director of the UK Gluck Equine Research Foundation.
The Friend of the Equine Initiative was created in 2005 to recognize a member of the public who has provided advocacy, funding or other extraordinary support for the UK College of Agriculture's Equine Initiative or a college or university employee who has generated an exceptional relationship with stakeholders that has been manifested in a new program, new advocacy success or new resources for the initiative.
Past Friends of the Equine Initiative include Dan Rosenberg of Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting; Northern Kentucky county extension agent trio Don Sorrell of Campbell County, Dan Allen of Kenton County and Jerry Brown of Boone County; and David Switzer of Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Owners and Breeders Association.
For more information about UK's Equine Initiative, visit www.ca.uky.edu/equine.
Agricultural Educators:
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kansas) and U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (Nebraska) have prepared a "Dear Colleague" letter regarding the proposed rulemaking on the child labor laws. It is important that you contact your U.S. senators' offices immediately and ask them to sign on to the Moran/Nelson Dear Colleague letter regarding the child labor laws pertaining to agricultural labor.
A copy of the Dear Colleague letter may be accessed here and a copy of a 12-page letter that the senators submitted to the Department of Labor is here.
Please do not delay … contact your two U.S. senators (not your U.S. Representative, just your two senators … a Dear Colleague letter for the U.S. House of Representatives may be forthcoming) and ask them to sign on to the Moran/Nelson Dear Colleague letter regarding the child labor laws pertaining to agricultural labor.
It will be most effective if you will call your two senators' offices. You can get your two senators' phone numbers from the NAAE Legislative Action Center. Or, you can call the U.S. Senate switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and request to be transferred to your senator's office (you'll have to call twice … once for each of your two U.S. senators). It is fine for you to leave your message with the person who answers the phone in your senators' offices.
All you need to do is identify yourself (that is, prove that you live in the state represented by your senator) and then say: "I request the senator to sign on to the Moran/Nelson Dear Colleague letter regarding the child labor laws pertaining to agricultural labor." If you are asked for additional information, you can refer to the text of the Dear Colleague letter and the 12-page supporting letter. You can also tell your senators' offices that the contact person in Senator Moran's office is Aaron Popelka (Aaron_Popelka@moran.senate.gov) and the contact person in Senator Nelson's office is Erick Lutt (Erick_Lutt@bennelson.senate.gov).
It would be great for you to get your students, parents, FFA alumni, ag business people, school administrators, advisory council members, and so forth, to make calls to your senators' offices as well.
Thanks for doing your part in advocating for agricultural education!
Wm. Jay Jackman, Ph.D.,
CAE Executive Director
National Association of Agricultural Educators
300 Garrigus Building
Lexington, Kentucky 40546-0215
(859) 257-2224 or (800) 509-0204 Fax: (859) 323-3919 Cell:
(859) 619-4990
JJackman.NAAE@uky.edu - http://www.naae.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kentucky Quarter
Horse Breeders' Incentive Fund Continues
to Rank Among Nation's
Most Effective
(August 1, 2011) - A record total of 2010 award recipients indicates that the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association Breeders' Incentive Fund (KyQHA BIF) continues to rank among the nation's most effective horse-breeder development programs. The announcement of payouts by the KyQHA for the last completed year of competition revealed that more than 700 owners and nominators of foals and stallions were eligible for checks resulting from official AQHA points earned by successfully shown or raced Kentucky-breds during 2010.
"The demand for Kentucky-bred Quarter Horses has gone up year by year," said Cheryllee Sargent, KyQHA President, "and that is in spite of a severely depressed economy. We need to consider that when our program began in 2006, there were only 671 Kentucky-bred horses in the entire world that year even entered in a race or a show, let along earned points for sustained success. Our Association is proud of the fact that our Fund has been able to fulfill the intent of the Legislature; namely, to stimulate real economic activity."
Payouts are based upon points earned in any race or show sanctioned by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). Because these points are calculated differently, two pools are created - one for show and one for race - so that the funds will average the same for all the horses competing in each category. The pools are then divided by the number of points earned. For 2010, the value of every AQHA point for showing worked out to be $72.46 while the value of every AQHA point for racing worked out to be $61.50.
Norm Luba, KyQHA BIF Committee chairman, pointed out that a challenge for the BIF has been that the decline in stallion services due to the poor economy has reduced the amount of money available for the Fund. "The increased number of points earned, combined with the decrease in the number of dollars available, have prevented us from having even greater impact," he said. "Our best year was 2007 when there was $446,629 available for Quarter Horses. For 2010, the total was $223,412, which is about as close to 50% as it's possible to get."
The list of award winners can be viewed on the website of the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association at www.kyqha.com. In keeping with the protocol established over previous years, information regarding the horses, the points earned, the award amounts, etc., will be posted on KyQHA's website for no less than thirty days to enable public review. There is an automated response mechanism available for comments.
"An exhaustive review has been accomplished prior to the posting of these results, and with tens of thousands of additional eyes now reviewing the data, any known or suspected improprieties, as well as any inaccuracies concerning the posted winners, can be reported to the KyQHA easily and anonymously," stated Terry Barrow, KyQHA Vice President and member of the KyQHA BIF Committee.
Comments can also be made by calling toll-free (888) 367-5742 and leaving a message on the BIF Fraud Hotline (option #2). All records receiving an "inquiry" are highlighted in red on the website so that interested parties can closely examine them. They will remain highlighted until follow-up investigations are completed. Payouts will be reported to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission after the comment period ends. Any new investigations that may result during the comment period will not delay the scheduled award payouts for other participants.
Award winners must be current year (2011) AQHA and KyQHA members. Those winners that are not members will be notified via regular mail as well as highlighted in yellow on the web site so that their memberships can be updated.
The Kentucky Quarter Horse Association is the official affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. More information about the KyQHA BIF, membership forms, as well as other programs of the KyQHA can be found by visiting the web site at: www.kyqha.com.
EHV-1/EHM Update (May 18, 2011)
From the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office
Attached is a document providing 'preliminary' information and our position in response to the diagnosis of EHV-1 having caused neurological disease in horses that recently attended a large cutting horse show in Ogden Utah. We are expecting to receive by the end of this week a report from USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service that will better enable us to provide a factual description of the outbreak.
In short, the attached document provides:
1) Our understanding of the outbreak as of last night
2) Our Position today
3) Our Response/Recommendation today
4) Click Here For Current Position!
Our position and response will be adjusted as needed. This is an incident that we will be monitoring closely and information will be updated on our web page www.kyagr.com/statevet/equine as it is made available.
E.S.
Rusty Ford
Equine Programs Manager
Office of State Veterinarian
502/564-3956
Rusty1.ford@ky.gov
EHV-1/EHM Update (May 20, 2011)
The USDA has recently posted on its website 2011 EHV-1/EHM incident information, including situation reports (listings of suspect and confirmed cases, locations, etc…), recommendations for exposed horses and more here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/. Please check this website weekly for updated situation reports.
In addition, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) now has an updated web page for horse owners with a very informative FAQ targeted for horse owners located here: http://www.aaep.org/EHV_resourcesowner.htm.
Keith
Kleine, MS
Director of Industry Relations
American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)
4075
Iron Works Parkway Lexington, KY 40511
(859)
233-0147, ext. 220
(800)
443-0177, ext. 220
(859)
327-8750 (cell)
(859)
233-1968 (fax)
kkleine@aaep.org
5/13/11
From the Kentucky State Veterinarian's Office
The following information was provided to the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association as a routine notification. The KyQHA is providing the same to you for your information.
There is a report of equine herpes virus having affected horses that earlier this month attended a large quarter horse event. The cases are reported to be occurring in multiple western states.
We have since confirmed an outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) as having been traced to horses who attended the National Cutting Horse Associations' Western National Championships in Odgen, Utah on April 30 - May 8, 2011.
Though there has been no indication of Kentucky horses being affected, the Kentucky State Veterinarians Office is taking this opportunity to encourage exhibitors to consult their veterinarians about potential disease threats and steps they can take to mitigate any identified threat. With the spring and summer show season now underway, consideration should be given to vaccinating horses against equine herpes virus-1. In addition to vaccination, other beneficial strategies insuring your horses have minimal contact with other horses at shows, do not drink from a common water source or eat from shared buckets, minimize sharing of equipment such as lead lines, and disinfect any equipment that is shared. In addition, horses should be observed daily for evidence of illness that includes a rise in their normal body temperature.
E.S. Rusty Ford
Equine Programs Manager
Office of State Veterinarian
502/564-3956
Rusty1.ford@ky.gov
3/14/2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ed Squires named University of Kentucky Equine Initiative Director
LEXINGTON, Ky., (March 11, 2011) - Ed Squires, a pioneer in equine research, has been named the University of Kentucky Equine Initiative director and Dickson Professor of Equine Science and Management beginning April 1.
Squires, a researcher at the UK Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, takes over leadership of the initiative, an umbrella program for all things equine within UK's College of Agriculture, from James MacLeod, another successful equine researcher from the Gluck Center.
"UK's equine program is uniquely positioned to become one of the prominent equine programs in the world," Squires said. "I look forward to this new challenge and building upon the strong base developed by the previous leadership."
"Having spent more than 30 years in an equine sciences program and being involved in teaching, research and outreach has prepared me well for this position. One of my strengths is facilitating people to work together,"
Squires added. Squires will split his time equally between this position and his current role as executive director of the UK Gluck Equine Research Foundation and director of advancement and industry relations. He will also continue as editor of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
Squires is widely supported for the position by UK's equine stakeholders.
"I think it is a win-win for both Gluck and the Equine Initiative. Ed was involved in the initial development of the Colorado State University equine program, and his fundraising for the Gluck Equine Research Center has been successful in the short time he has been here," said David Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, UK Equine Advisory Committee member and Gluck Equine Research Foundation Board member. "Anytime you can get someone with his breadth of experience, it's important to take advantage of it."
"Dr. Squires brings a proven reputation of excellence coupled with vision for teaching, research and service. That vision will be propelled by the tremendous team effort that has built a foundation for excellence in equine programming at the University of Kentucky," said Norm Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council and chair of the UK Equine Advisory Committee.
Squires is a Morgantown, W.Va., native who received his bachelor's and master's degrees from West Virginia University and his doctorate in endocrinology and reproductive physiology at the University of Wisconsin. From 1976 to 2008, Squires was a professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. Squires is a pioneer in developing the techniques of embryo transfer. His other research areas include reproductive endocrinology of the non-pregnant and pregnant mare, hormonal regulation of the estrous cycle and preservation of stallion semen. His most recent research has centered on development of assisted reproductive techniques such as oocyte collection and transfer, oocyte maturation, in vitro fertilization, embryo freezing, superovulation and sexed semen.
Squires' research efforts have resulted in 265 refereed publications, 254 non-refereed publications, 29 book chapters, 14 books and 118 articles. He has lectured extensively to national and international veterinary and scientific groups and horse breeders.
Squires has received numerous awards and honors for his research, including the Oliver P. Pennock Distinguished Service Award; the George Stubbs Award; Animal Physiology and Endocrinology Award; and Horse Person of the Year Award from the Colorado Horse Council. He was inducted into UK's Gluck Equine Research Foundation Equine Research Hall of Fame in 2007.
"Ed has made major contributions to reproductive science in horses that have resulted in new products on the market. He also brings a vast network of supporters from many breeds as well as many sectors of the pharmaceutical industry. Most of all, Ed likes horses and horse people," said Scott Smith, dean of the UK College of Agriculture. "He takes over the reins from the capable leadership of Jamie MacLeod and will be sharing a half-time appointment with the Gluck Equine Research Foundation. The foundation was an early catalyst for the Equine Initiative, and the initiative certainly adds breadth to the foundational science programs in the Veterinary Science Department. We are very enthusiastic about the future of equine programs at UK."
During MacLeod's three years as director, the Equine Initiative grew in size and scope from a Commonwealth Collaborative program to one with university-wide participation. The initiative includes more than 50 faculty and staff from eight departments within the college, as well as key partnerships across UK and with important stakeholders in the equine industry. More than 170 undergraduate students are in its degree program, and it offers enhanced equine research and extension activities. Its mission is to discover, share and apply new knowledge that will enhance the health, performance and management of horses commensurate with the signature status of Kentucky's equine industry.
"Serving as the first director of the Equine Initiative and Dickson Professor has been an honor. I am very proud of the scope and breadth of UK's equine programs and our ongoing commitment to collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork," MacLeod said. "The Equine Initiative has made an encouraging start, but it is just the beginning. Our dedication to academic innovation will maintain the true spirit of 'initiative' in the Equine Initiative, and I look forward to working with Dr. Squires on this continuing vision."
Writer: Holly Wiemers, 859-257-2226
UK College of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians.