Scholars volunteered and were given a V.I.P. tour of the 2012 Alltech National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. 2012 was the second year that the show has been held in Lexington, KY and the first year that the Equine Scholars Program has been part of the experience.  The National Horse Show is the United States’ oldest indoor horse show, and historically has been held in New York City at Madison Square Gardens.  While normally the show is limited to hunters and jumpers, this year was a special one, as it brought back the American Saddlebred championships.

Carrie Wirth of Phelps Media Group, gave us a wonderful behind-the-scenes  tour which consisted of learning the history of the show, meeting with a top rider and competitor, seeing the exclusive exhibitor’s lounge, Gracie’s Place interior design and art gallery, the press box, and understanding just how much work is involved to produce a show such as the National.

Student volunteers were present throughout all five days of the show and helped with everything from ticket sales to information services.  Each scholar was given an official National Horse Show t-shirt and a pass for the entire length of the show.  The Georgetown Equine Scholars Program would like to thank Phelps Media Group and Alltech for their hospitality and for allowing us to be part of the event!  We look forward to being there in 2013!

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!

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.

Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky Ag Extension hosted a horse workshop at the MSU barns. Some of the Scholars road-tripped to their super-nice indoor and got to see the following: drill team demonstration; feed selection and management; body scoring; hoof care; bits and bitting; and keeping your horse healthy. A tasty meal was provided!

Next time you stop down to the ESP building and walk to the kitchen, be sure to look up and check out some new equine artwork that has been donated to the Program!

Georgetown College’s “Conversation with Champions” program, hosted by celebrated sports columnist Billy Reed, continues for its second year. The discussion with celebrated athletes and individuals involved in management of athletics at both the collegiate and professional level focuses particularly on restoring character, ethics and integrity to sports. The “Conversations” are videotaped for later broadcast on KET’s Kentucky Network (KETKY).

Claiborne Farm is a thoroughbred Horse breeding operation in near Paris, Kentucky. It was established in 1910, by Arthur B. Hancock, owner of Ellerslie Farm in Albemarle County, Virginia, and has been operated by members of his family ever since. In 1972, Seth Hancock, stepped up to make his own headlines when he syndicated Secretariat for a record $6 million. This was merely the launch of an era of Seth’s leadership of Claiborne, which mirrors that of his ancestors and continues nearly four decades later. Again, the underpinning of Claiborne was the management of its own and clients’ high quality broodmare bands, while the headlines were provided by the stallions and race horses. Seth has matched the parade of stallions acquired and managed by his father and grandfather, as such names as Mr. Prospector, Danzig, and Seeking the Gold took their places in history. Modern stallions have increased to 27 the number of times the leading sire of the year has stood at Claiborne Farm. Meanwhile, Seth won a Kentucky Derby with Swale, campaigned two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Lure, bred and raced champion Forty Niner, and authored a lasting influence on the international Turf as the breeder of stallions Nureyev and Caerleon and the dam of Sadler’s Wells. The strand of Claiborne Farm’s influence has been strong and unbroken, and now leads into its second century.