Big congratulations to 2012 Equine Scholar graduate Kelsey Hamilton on her acceptance of a position at Amberley Farms (Berlin, MD) as a rider and groom as they  travel the “A” circuit! We know you’re going to be great!

Seven Equine Scholars graduated this past Saturday: Ashlyn Anderson-Keelin, Kelsey Barbato, Kate Berta, Marina Byrd, Kelsey Hamilton, Jeanne Shearer and Kristen Snyder. Though we couldn’t round them all up for one picture, here is a snapshot of Marina, Jeanne and Kristen as they get ready to begin commencement.

We are so proud of all of our graduates and can’t wait to see where the next chapter in their lives take them!

Spy Coast Farm specializes in the breeding and development of top-quality performance horses. With three locations along the East Coast (New York, Florida and Kentucky), Spy Coast is able to take advantage of the best climate, vet services, show facilities, training and riding talent. Equine Scholars got to speak with Spy Coast Vet Dr. Burleson, a young vet who is doing an AWESOME job!

We learned about the quarantine facilities, young horse shows, breed inspections and more that occur on their farm every year. What an impressive place!

Are you as curious about their name as we were? This is from their website: www.spycoastfarm.com

“Our Name
At one time, our original farm, located on Strong’s Neck in Setauket, NY, was prime fishing and hunting territory for the Setalcott Indians.
During the Revolutionary War, George Washington commissioned the Setauket Spy Ring to operate from the area. It is said that the patriot, Anna Smith Strong, received intelligence from the local tavern owner and then hung her petticoats and handkerchiefs on her laundry line in a predetermined array in order to inform the whale boat captain, Caleb Brewster, in which harbor the Redcoats were located. Their efforts contributed in no small measure to the success of the Patriot troops.
Since that time, the Strong’s Neck area has been known as the Spy Coast. We consider it an honor to be able to name our farm after this significant chapter of our nation’s history.”

Waterford-Millford Farm, located in historic Midway, Ky., is 850 acres with 13 varying-style barns, from two 25-stall facilities to a pair of five-stall barns. The differing numbers of stalls in our barns enables them to handle the needs of any group or individual, whether it be for sales, breeding or quarantine. In all, there are 200 stalls spread across the farm.

From numerous paddocks to 100-acre fields, Waterford-Millford Farm has everything required to offer complete and competent care for all ages of Thoroughbreds. The farms’ yearling division offers a freestyle walker, a major component to preparing horses for the sales.

Mares and foals roam the large, shaded fields in varying-size groups, according to the foals’ ages. The quarantine division is highly respected around the world. Having handled quarantine procedures for many international clients, Waterford-Millford’s staff is entirely familiar with the shipping process, government requirements and health regulations for all countries, as well as the process of maintaining the individual horse in top condition.

Mr. West gave us a wonderful tour and informed Scholars of the various quarantine protocols needed to ship to different countries. We also got to see foals they had on the ground as well as many barns located on the property.

Equine Scholars got a behind-the-scenes peek at the new 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country fences on a beautiful afternoon in the Bluegrass. Held at the Kentucky Horse Park, Mick took us around to some of the new fences (which are awesome!) and explained new procedures put in place in the last few years to keep horses and riders safe (think frangible pins, one fall, etc.). Mick has been a dear friend to the Equine Scholars Program for many years.

Mick Costello grew up in a horsey family in Anaheim, Calif., where he eventually built courses at places like Pebble Beach (eventing was huge there the 1960s and 70s). He has travelled extensively; having built the Radnor Three-Day in 1986 and 1987, as well as from 1991 to 2001. He built courses at Fair Hill from 1989-1993 and has built for the Rolex Three-Day Event from the fall of 1998 to present day. Mick also designed the Alltech 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games cross-country course (as well as the marathon course).

Laura D’Angelo grew up in Meaford, Ontario, in a decidedly non-horsey family. When she was 8 years old, she received her first pony. She spent much of her childhood riding and showing ponies. “Her path to becoming a Lexington lawyer focusing on the equine and gaming industry, however, was not linear; she got an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Guelph in Ontario and spent a year doing research in exercise physiology. Due to encouragement from a mentor who owned the stable where she kept her horses, D’Angelo went back to school to pursue a master’s degree in business, leading to a job in brand management with Proctor & Gamble. One aspect of brand management that particularly fascinated D’Angelo was the role of the legal department, which analyzed the risks of the claims the campaigns were proposing. After a couple of years, she decided to pursue a law degree, and the University of Kentucky, with its proximity to the Kentucky Horse Park that she had grown up reading about, seemed like a perfect fit.” To read more about Ms. D’Angelo, go here: www.bizlex.com/Articles-c-2011-05-10-97675.113117-Laura-DAngelo.html

Ms. D’Angelo, who works for Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, gave our aspiring equine attorneys a true look at equine law — and left them wanting more! Ms. D’Angelo explained the nuts and bolts of law school, what it is like to work for a large law firm and also what it’s like to work in equine law in the Horse Capital of the World. She was engaging and kind and answered a zillion questions — even when we know she’s so busy!

Ms. D’Angelo mentioned she is always willing to have students shadow her as well as answer any questions students might have. We’re so thankful to her for coming, even when she’s so busy!

Many of our Scholars work in the equine industry, and one more was just added to the ranks! Congrats to 2011 graduate Kathleen Landwehr, who is now employed at the United States Equestrian Federation Way to go, Kathleen!

2011 Equine Scholar grad Kathleen Landwehr was recently hired by the United States Equestrian Federation.