KEEP Announces New Executive Director

Lexington, KY. (Wednesday, December 28, 2022) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project’s (KEEP) Board of Directors announced that long-time consultant Will Glasscock will be promoted to executive director beginning January 1, 2023. This follows the announcement by Elisabeth Jensen in September that she would be stepping down from her leadership role in the organization.

Glasscock began working as a consultant for KEEP in 2017. Since then, he has worked with many different facets of the organization and its mission, including KEEP’s advocacy in Frankfort and Washington, the grassroots membership, strategic planning, and the KEEP Foundation. Most recently, Glasscock launched KEEP’s Legislative Advocacy Committee, an important element in connecting individuals in the equine industry with our legislators in Frankfort and providing education and information on relevant policy.

Additionally, the board announced that Jensen will remain close to the organization and serve as a consultant with both the KEEP Alliance and the KEEP Foundation. In that role, Jensen will assist KEEP in managing board relations, industry stakeholders, and long-term strategic planning.

Case Clay, chairman of KEEP’s Board of Directors, commented, “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.”

Glasscock commented on the announcement and the work ahead, “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.”

Glasscock continued, “Kentucky’s horse industry is once again leading the nation and its growth continues on a positive trajectory. It is imperative that we continue working to sustain Kentucky’s success. Additionally, we will maintain KEEP’s focus on the labor shortages facing the industry, as well as the importance of educating and informing Kentuckians about the true impact that the industry has on the Commonwealth’s economy.”

Glasscock grew up in Kentucky and attended the College of Charleston and the George Washington University. Glasscock worked in Washington, D.C. for nearly nine years. There, he worked for two members of Congress and as director of government relations for a national trade association. Prior to returning to Kentucky in 2014, Glasscock and his wife Amy took a mid-career volunteer opportunity and spent two years serving as Peace Corps Volunteers in rural East Java, Indonesia.

Glasscock volunteers locally coaching youth sports and has served on the boards of the International Book Project, the Kentucky Peace Corps Association, the Clark County Community Foundation, and First Christian Church, Winchester, KY. Glasscock and his wife have a daughter and reside in Lexington.

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.

KEEP Statement on the Passing of Jeff Hall

Lexington, Ky. (June 4, 2022) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, released this statement following the passing of Jeff Hall:

“KEEP was saddened to hear of the passing of Jeff Hall. We mourn the loss of our board member and steadfast supporter of KEEP’s mission and the work of The Race For Education. His efforts were tireless. Jeff was a true friend to everyone in the horse industry and he will be deeply missed. KEEP extends our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to Jeff’s family and friends.”

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.

Join the Commonwealth Racing Challenge to Win Breeders’ Cup Tickets!

Secure your opportunity to win tickets to the 2022 Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland by completing the KEEP Commonwealth Racing Challenge!

Visit all of Kentucky’s participating racetracks throughout 2022 to be entered to win Breeders’ Cup tickets.

The Commonwealth Racing Challenge kicks off on Friday, April 8, with the opening of Keeneland’s Spring Meet. Learn more about the Challenge and how to enter.

KEEP Announces New Board Leadership

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Monday, April 5, 2021) – The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, announced the new leadership of KEEP’s Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors unanimously approved the promotion of Case Clay to become the Board’s Chairman. David Ingordo was unanimously approved to become the Board’s Vice Chairman. Clay and Ingordo replace Doug Cauthen and Ken Jackson, who will both continue serving on the KEEP Board. Additionally, Courtney Schneider was added to the Board of Directors.

Clay is the Chief Commercial Officer of Three Chimneys Farm. Ingordo is the owner of Ingordo Bloodstock. Schneider is the Director of Sales at Shawhan Place and is the current President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club.

Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP’s Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, commented, “I am thrilled to have Case and David taking on the leadership roles of the KEEP Board. Doug and Ken did an incredible job over the past three years, shepherding KEEP through an evolution that led to our investment in workforce development and our recent legislative successes in Frankfort. I know that Case and David will build on this success and take KEEP to even great heights.”

Clay, added, “I am very excited to continue working with the staff and the Board at KEEP and building on the momentum that we have at the moment as a result of tackling the challenges we recently faced with historical horse racing. I was encouraged to see the industry come together for the greater good in a short amount of time. I think we have opportunities ahead of us with regard to growing our relationships in Frankfort, as well as engaging and including all horse breeds and disciplines in the Commonwealth.”

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.

KEEP Thanks House for Passing Legislation to Save Historical Horse Racing

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), Kentucky’s equine economic advocate, released the following statement today following the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 120:

“Thank you to our representatives in the House for acting in Kentuckians’ best interests and passing critical legislation to keep historical horse racing in the commonwealth. This is great news for the 1,400 people employed directly by historical horse racing and the tens of thousands more who rely on the horse industry to provide for their families.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling on HHR last year brought major uncertainty to our employees, local businesses, communities and our industry as a whole. We applaud the General Assembly for acting swiftly to maintain the status quo of historical horse racing that the Kentucky has known for the last ten years. With the passage of SB 120, we are confident about the future of Kentucky racing and our ability to continue bringing new jobs and economic growth to our communities across the Commonwealth.

“Gov. Beshear has been vocal in his support of historical horse racing and its positive impacts on our state, and we look forward to seeing SB 120 signed into law.”

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.

KEEP Statement on the Passing of Carol Barr

The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) released the following statement in response to the news of Carol Barr’s passing:

KEEP and its Board of Directors are shocked and saddened by the passing of Carol Barr, wife of Congressman Andy Barr. Carol was a vital part of Central Kentucky and the horse industry mourns her passing. Congressman Barr is a good friend of Kentucky’s horse industry and our deepest sympathies are with him and his family at this time.

Additional Guidance from State Veterinarian for Boarding Facilities

In addition to the other guidelines from the State Veterinarian’s office, they also advise all boarding facilities (and any other operation that caters to outside clients of any kind) to cease all unnecessary operations and activities and close their facilities to all but essential staff. If a facility has clients that engage in self-care for their horses these individuals are allowed to come to the facility for horse care activities ONLY. Moving forward, the facility should have clients communicate with each other and staff to develop a schedule in which there is a minimal number of individuals at the facility at any given time. If a client has a horse on full or partial care (who’s needs are being met), those individuals are asked to not visit the facility. In addition, if it is possible to decrease the amount of staff in order to minimize the number of individuals coming and going from a facility, an employer is asked to do so.