November 2019 University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs' Wildcat Canter

NO V EM BER 2019

C ON TE N TS

Wildcat Wrangler program offers students unique program participation and learning opportunities PAGE 6

The Wildcat Wrangler Program is one of the newest leadership opportunities for UK Equine Science and Management students. The program was piloted during the spring semester and became official this fall.

Equine Programs’ spotlight: Jamie MacLeod PAGE 7

MacLeod has a unique history with the program because he has been involved since discussions about developing UK Ag Equine Programs (then the Equine Initiative) and an equine undergraduate program at UK first began.

UK Ag Equine Programs to host 9th annual Equine Showcase PAGE 14

University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs will host the 9th Annual UK Equine Showcase Jan. 24-25 at the Fayette County Extension office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington.

Irish National Stud announces class of 2020 for Thoroughbred breeding course; nine countries represented among 27 students; two are UK equine students PAGE 16

The Irish National Stud announced the 2020 intake of students for its world-renowned Thoroughbred breeding course. Nine countries are represented among the 27-strong group who begin the six-month residential training program Jan. 20.

U PC O M IN G E V ENTS AND I MPORTAN T DEADLINES • • • •

Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving break, no classes Dec. 12: Equine Intership Showcase Dec 9-13: Study break treat bag week Dec. 16-20: Finals Week

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“So, you make a living working from your phone?”

W E L COM E

“Well, sort of. It’s more than that.”

Not exactly the type of conversation I thought I would be having when I entered college in 2012. Almost a decade ago, when I first started working in social media – professionally – few people had full-time jobs in this industry. Our social media landscape has changed quite a bit with the potential for something to go viral or for someone to literally become famous from a single post. I consistently came up against the ideas that social media couldn’t be used as a stable career, or that anyone could do it. Still, I’ve built my livelihood around things I love and value: connecting people and telling powerful stories.

The thing about social media is that it’s a catalyst for achieving your goals. From your own, free platform, you have the ability to craft narrative around what you want people to know about you. For me, it started with a lifestyle blog that blossomed into a full-fledged business model. In running Space, Place & Southern Grace, I began to understand the power and potential of social media messaging that could truly influence. I worked for and with major companies to create content about their experiences and products.

I wasn’t a celebrity spokesperson, but I had grown digital platforms of folks interested in my opinions.

Social media, as a career, has come to encompass so much more than just posting, liking and commenting.

It has evolved into an accepted mode of advertising, a creative space for content development, a service industry reliant on accessibility and a data-driven strategic field. It has made for a viable and rewarding career path.

After graduation in 2016, I made the transition from life as a student into work in higher education – a place ripe with opportunity to tell stories about hardworking and deserving people. Success in my field happens when content is widely distributed and perceived as good. I’ve found a knack for achieving that success on social media channels when we simplify our work to create masterpieces out of the mundane that others can relate to. Through written and visual messaging and the strategic release thereof, I get to publish stories that encourage conversation, humanize technological innovation and make people feel a little less alone.

In my new role as the Social Media Marketing Manager for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, I have a unique position to highlight the outstanding work in our research, teaching and extension programs. Moreover, I have the privilege of seeing student progress and their work towards graduation.

We have so many untapped stories – of success, of achievement, of overcoming adversity, of hard work – yet to be told. I can’t wait to work alongside others to give heart to stories on our collegiate social media platforms and project the remarkable individuals who call CAFE their work and academic homes.

In the ever-evolving world of influencers, it’s essential to know that you have impact online with an audience of just one person. Even if your career path doesn’t lead you to manage social media full-time, your contributions in these digital spaces have value. They drive the market, forge relationships, determine trends and ultimately shape the modern human experience. Your posts are a reflection of you right now.

Sharing who you really are online keeps you accountable to who you want to be in the next stage of life.

Be proud of that power you hold because it has profound authority to inspire others and provoke change.

Sarah Caton, ‘16 Social Media Marketing Manager UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

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M A STHE A D

Wildcat Canter Editorial Staff Lindsay O’Hara, contributing writer Grace Vazquez, contributing writer Holly Wiemers, MA, APR, senior editor, contributing writer, layout

Wildcat Canter Editorial Board

Erin DesNoyers, operations coordinator Camie Heleski, PhD, lecturer Danielle Jostes, MA, equine philanthropy director Jamie MacLeod, VMD, PhD, equine programs director Savannah Robin, MS, internship coordinator Kristine Urschel, PhD, director of undergraduate studies Kristen Wilson, MS, academic program coordinator

Ag Equine Programs

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

N212 Ag Sciences Building North Lexington, KY 40546-0091 Office: (859) 257-2226 equine@uky.edu www.uky.edu/equine Photo credit, cover and this page: Jimmy Henning

Connect with us on Social Media

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photo by Jimmy Henning

C LUBS AN D T EAM S D IR E CTORY C O L LE GIAT E P ROFESSIO NAL H ORS EMAN ’ S A S S O C IAT ION

H O R SE R ACI N G CL UB

DR E SSA G E TEAM

PO L O TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Bob Coleman, rcoleman@uky.edu and Savannah Robin, savannah.robin@uky.edu President: Anna Lowes, anna.lowes@uky.edu

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Lindsay O’Hara, OfficialUKDressageTeam@gmail.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

E Q UE ST RIA N TEAM Advisor: Dr. Bob Coleman, rcoleman@uky.edu

H UNT SEAT TEAM

President: Caroline Molther, caroline.molther@uky.edu

Advisor: Dr. Laurie Lawrence, llawrenc@uky.edu Presidents: Catherine Primavera, ukhorseracingclub@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Horse Racing Club

Advisor: Dr. Roger Brown, rogerbrown@uky.edu Dr. Jamie MacLeod, jnmacleod@uky.edu President: Tommy Huber, Tommy_huber@uky.edu Facebook: U of Kentucky Polo

R . E. A. D . CL UB

Advisor: Dr. Kristine Urschel, klur222@uky.edu President: Brendan Mitchell, brendan.mitchell@uky.edu Facebook: READ Club

Facebook: UKY Equestrian Team

R O D EO TEAM

W ES TERN TEAM

President: JRebecca Brown, beccabrown@uky.edu Facebook: UKY Western IHSA Team

E V E N TING TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Macy Clark, macyclark23@gmail.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

Advisor: Monty Ott, monty.ott@uky.edu President: Anna Doll, ukrodeoteam@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Rodeo Team

SAD D L E SEAT TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Mary Rossano, mary.rossano@uky.edu President: Frannie Salisbury, uksaddleseatteam@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Saddleseat Team

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F EAT U R E S TORY

Wildcat Wrangler program offers students unique program participation and learning opportunities

By Michaela Drake, 2019-2020 Wildcat Wrangler

The Wildcat Wrangler Program is one of the newest leadership opportunities for University of Kentucky Equine Science and Management students. The program was piloted during the spring semester and became official this fall. Students are enrolled in a for-credit course and meet weekly to discuss upcoming recruitment and volunteer opportunities.

A cornerstone of the Wildcat Wrangler program is future wildcat recruitment and volunteer work. As Wildcat Wranglers, the team is trained to recruit by educating future Wildcats about UK and its equine degree program. The group has helped with recruitment efforts at informational booths during events including the Retired Racehorse Project at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Providing UK ESMA program exposure to younger audiences allows us to help recruit the next generation of successful graduates.

In addition to our student recruitment efforts, our team does a lot of volunteering through the program.

Recently, the Wranglers had the opportunity to work with Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses in the pediatric unit at the UK Hospital. Additionally, Wranglers have volunteered at events like the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup and UK Equine Career and Opportunity Fair. Going to different and unique events allows us to help expand the reach of the equine program and influence a wide range of prospective students with various equine backgrounds and different educational focuses.

This year’s team of Wildcat Wranglers is a diverse group in all phases of their undergraduate careers with various interests in the degree program who have been given an opportunity to work together in a large agricultural college. Each brings something different to the team; and we have all been able to bond over our shared passion for the equine industry. The Wrangler program places a large emphasis on developing leadership skills and fostering skills helpful in the workplace. Students learn the importance of time management, independence and other transferable skills for future internships and careers.

The Wranglers all have varying goals and aspirations. Career interests include communications, marketing, rehabilitation, equine law and breed-specific training. Making connections with individuals with such different career goals allows us to create a network of support early in our equine careers. Students have also been able to develop closer relationships with UK’s equine faculty and staff at the internal UK equine events, contacts who may not have been as accessible in such a large college without this type of program.

Along with the relationships formed at UK, we have had the opportunity to foster relationships outside of UK by interacting with potential employers. We have learned about future internship opportunities and resume-building programs by meeting influential individuals in the equine industry.

Despite being a newer program for equine students, the leadership opportunities have made significant impacts on recruitment efforts and have amplified the professional development of those involved. The diverse group of student participants being a new excitement and fresh outlook to the recruitment of future Wildcats.

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EQUINE PROGRAMS S P Dr. OJamie T LMacLeod IGHT Involvement in the industry:

UK Ag Equine Programs Director John S. and Elizabeth A. Knight Chair

MacLeod works as a researcher and stakeholder within Thoroughbred racing, Thoroughbred breeding, eventing, hunters/jumpers and loves to simply enjoy the countryside from the back of a horse.

Education: University of Delaware, College of Agricultural Sciences, B.S., magna cum laude, with distinction (1980) University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, V.M.D. (1984) University of Pennsylvania, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Ph.D. (1990) University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, Endocrine Fellowship (1992)

Impact: Aside from working as UK's Ag Equine Programs director, MacLeod enjoys gardening, battling invasive species and trying to support native pollinators. He is concerned about environmental issues.

Favorite aspect of work: MacLeod loves collaborating with colleagues and interacting with students in the program. He said he thinks it is always fun to work/interact with folks who share your interests. Students (of all ages) are great because they are motivated to learn, reach new goals, figure things out, make things better.

History with the program : MacLeod has a unique history with the program because he has been involved since discussions about developing UK Ag Equine Programs (then the Equine Initiative) and an equine undergraduate program at UK first began.

Advice for equine students: MacLeod encourages all students to "Keep your eyes, ears and mind open; take initiative; think; and know that knowledge and accurate data

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is part of The solution."

Equine Science and Management Internship Spotlight Rachel Kiczuk, Spring 2019 Equestrian Events, Incorporated Rachel Kiczuk completed her equine internship during spring 2019 at Equestrian Events, Incorporated (EEI). EEI plays a big role in event planning for large competitions such as the Kentucky CSI*** Invitational Grand Prix, American Eventing Championships and Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (LRK3DE). Kiczuk had the opportunity to help in planning and activating LRK3DE. Her favorite memory was cross-country day morning.

“I got to go around the course with one of my supervisors before the park even opened to the public,” she said.

She said it was also a great experience to get to watch competitors run the course from the control tent.

In fact, her career goals were changed by her experience with EEI. “It was a lot of little moments that led up to realizing that I wouldn’t mind having an office job,” she said.

By her third week working for EEI, Kiczuk said she looked forward to going to the office, a feeling she never thought she would have. Now, she has changed her goals from being a horse trainer to having a career in the equine industry that is based in an office. She hopes to work in event planning or marketing.

Her advice to future interns: “Get to know the people you’re working with. My internship was as great as it was because of the people who work for EEI. The more you put into your internship, the more you’ll get out of it. It sounds super cliché, but it’s totally true,” she said.

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PRO GRAM SP OTL IGH T Note from editor: An important part of the mission of our program includes undergraduate education, specifically with our Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program. A new class, taught by Camie Heleski, a faculty member and lecturer within the program – is one designed to present provocative, often controversial issues that are current to the equine industry. In EQM 305, “Equine Industry Issues,� students are introduced to topics, hear from speakers, research information and communicate about industry issues in written and oral formats. The course is designed to expose students to hot button issues in the industry and encourage them to research and formulate well-communicated opinions about those issues. One avenue made available to this course is publishing some of those stories here.

Nurse Mares: necessary or negligent?

By Miranda Kunes, EQM 305 student During springtime in the Bluegrass, broodmares take their turn delivering new babies into the world, and the pastures become dotted with mares and wobbly, wideeyed foals. However, not every foal trails behind its own mother; some must rely on an adopted caretaker: a nurse mare.

When a mare is unable to care for her foal, sometimes another lactating mare is hired in her place.

In these cases, the nurse mare is separated from its biological foal to take care of the new foal.

Some argue that the use of nurse mares is unethical and struggle to see where they fit in the future of equine-related agriculture.

However, important factors involved in this aspect of the industry are often overlooked due to the sensitive nature of the topic. Certainly, the use of nurse mares is a complex issue that deserves a deeper look and careful consideration.

In order to evaluate this matter clearly, it is critical to understand the basics of what nurse mares are, why they are needed, who uses them and what happens to the mares and their own foals during this process. Nurse mare businesses often rent out mares to breeding operations like those for Thoroughbreds, American Saddlebreds or Standardbreds. Even research farms devoted to advancing the health of all horses may find themselves in need of a nurse mare when things go awry.

According to Laurie Lawrence, a professor at the University of Kentucky and faculty supervisor for the university's horse unit, farms are forced to use nurse mares when the dam rejects the foal or even dies because of birthing complications. To facilitate optimal growth and development of the foal, maternal care is provided by a nurse mare, who is cared for by the host farm. continued on page 10...

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PR OG R A M S P O TL I GHT

P R OGR AM L IGH T

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A nurse mare’s foal is weaned prematurely and raised on milk replacer when the mother must be transported to the renter’s farm.

According to Lawrence, nurse mare farms are not necessarily taking the foals away when they are first born. They are almost ready to live on their own by the time many are separated.

This arrangement sits uneasily with many animal enthusiasts. Surely, it can be difficult to approve of the purposeful interruption of one animal’s natural parent-offspring bond in favor of optimizing the health of another animal. In the Thoroughbred world, however, when thousands of dollars are poured into a broodmare as well as into a stud fee, the resultant foal represents a great investment, valued at upwards of millions of dollars. The extra cost of renting a nurse mare when the foal’s well-being is in jeopardy is worthwhile when considering the possible economic loss. This is not to say that a nurse mare’s foal does not deserve a certain quality of life, but it serves as a reminder that horses are a piece of a larger agricultural economy and that the financial aspect of the equine industry must be considered alongside the emotional connections.

While nurse mare foals may not possess the same economic value as a painstakingly-bred Thoroughbred or a prized Arabian, they do demand further attention when addressing this issue. Perhaps the greatest disdain for the practice of using nurse mares revolves around the production of these foals -- referred to by some as “byproducts”-- and the quality of life they will have without their mothers. Indeed, orphan foals require special attention and nutrition without their mothers, and many have less-than-ideal conformation from haphazard breeding.

Last Chance Corral (LCC), a well-known critic of nurse mare businesses, argues that “nurse mare foals are born and...simply destroyed” to make room for Thoroughbred foals. The organization claims that Thoroughbred foals are rarely kept with their dams because those broodmares are being hastily rebred.

Lawrence refutes this accusation, maintaining that instead that breeding farms leave foals with the original mare unless there is some reason that they think that the mare won’t raise the foal, even during the breeding season.

LCC’s opposition to the Thoroughbred industry and inflammatory rhetoric helps promote the frenzied formation of uninformed opinions and does little to encourage cooperative progress. Contrary to Last continued on page 11...

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PRO GRAM S P OTL IGH T

SPO Tcontinued from page 10...

Chance Corral’s embittered accusations, these nurse mare foals are cared for by their producers, taken in by rescues or sold as riding prospects. Furthermore, incentive programs exist for showing nurse mare foals, and some nurse mare users make pointed efforts to breed nurse mares to quality stallions in order to produce useful foals with hopeful futures.

In a perfect world, nurse mare foals would not have to be created in the first place, and at this juncture, alternative technologies do exist but they are less than perfect. Mares who have had a foal previously can be hormonally induced to lactate, but milk production does not begin until 10 to 12 days of treatment. Additionally, milk and colostrum substitutes are enough for a foal to survive on but inadequate in comparison to the real deal.

Until better technologies are developed, nurse mares will continue to be an occasional necessity in the horse industry. To better improve the lives of nurse mare foals, better breeding before conception and improved husbandry practices post-weaning should be implemented. Giving a nod to the classic concept of “nature vs. nature,” giving the foals a head-start in utero and then raising them as naturally as possible will prepare both their mental and physical health for successful careers. Cultivating useful horses in this way while supporting the optimal development of expensive equine assets--like Thoroughbred foals--will ensure the continued presence of horses in the landscape of Kentucky’s agricultural economy.

BLM calls to privatize wild mustangs with off range bids

By Sabrina Jacobs, EQM 305 student The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been open to out-of-the-box possibilities on wild mustang management for the past couple of years. In early 2019, the BLM had been seeking contractors for off-range pastures (ORP) to provide a free-roaming environment and quality care for the wild horses that are removed from public lands. These contracts are awarded to people who can accommodate 200-5,000 head of wild horses, with a four-year or nine-year renewal option. All contracts require supplemental feed for a minimum of four months to ensure that animals maintain decent condition. These bids are offered to a select number of western states and regions, including Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, the Texas Panhandle, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

“An off-range pasture is where the horses are allowed to freely graze and move about like they would in the wild, only not on public lands,” said Scott Fleur, BLM wild horse specialist. “What we were advertising for is public off-range facilities where an off-range pasture could be open to the public. It’s kind of a new innovative approach that would let people come in and visit and see wild horses and learn about the program,” (Source: Johlman, Hannah. “Private Land, Public Wild Horses: BLM Seeks Private Ranches to Maintain Wild Horses.” TSLN.com, TSLN.com, 26 Apr. 2019, www.tsln.com/news/ private-land-public-wild-horses-blm-seeks-private-ranches-to-maintain-wild-horses/) Wild horses are continually gathered from the public lands in the United States to keep the populacontinued on page 12...

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tion low enough to prevent overgrazing. Yet now, with the off-range pasture program, the horses and burros can get returned to the closest thing to their natural habitat. When the horses are gathered, they are separated into groups based upon sex and age, and the older the horse means the less likelihood of them being deemed adoptable. These horses get relocated into the off-range pasture program. Currently, more than 82,000 horses are in the care of the BLM and 32,000 horses are held in the 35 private off-range pastures.

The BLM awards two types of contracts, public and private ORPs. Public ORPs allow public visitation on a regularly scheduled basis (a minimum of five days a week) April to October. It switches to a limited basis from November to March, but still can host events. The BLM is required to hold a minimum of two public events per year.

Public ORPs also provide a corral space for up to 25 trained animals per year that will be made available for viewing and placement into private care. Private ORP’s tend to host more mustangs than public ones, but within each, the horses get to live within the natural environment that they are used to out in the wild.

Those who wish to apply to host an off-range-pasture program must submit their own business plan that describes their requested dollar amount per head per day, which averages around $2.

The BLM became the official caretaker of the wild horses after the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, which came in response to the widespread roundup and slaughter of the wild horses.

This act prevents the killing of wild horses, granting exceptions only for those that end up needing to be euthanized due to lameness, sickness or old age.

Since this act went into effect, it’s caused the numbers of the wild horses to increase steadily for decWI L DCAT CA NTER | NO V EM BER 2019 | 12

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FEAT U R E STORY

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ades, which has caused many of the horses and burros to starve because of the overgrazing that is occurring.

For example, wild horses that roam the state of Colorado tend to come into conflict with the forages that are present. According to Jennifer Cook, Coordinator of the Small Acreage Management Program for the Colorado State Extension Service, the grass there just isn’t as productive as it is in other states.

The recommended acreage per horse in Colorado is around 35 acres. Colorado currently has four herd management areas on approximately 400,000 acres.

Long-term holding in off-range pastures is a temporary fix to an ongoing issue. Holding them in these long-term facilities can be costly, yet in comparison, is less expensive than holding them in short-term corrals post-gathering, because at least the horses have more room to try to survive on the natural environment.

When horses are pulled from the land for causing destruction and overgrazing, they get placed in temporary holding facilities that some spend the rest of their lives in. These facilities are cramped and rely heavily on food supplements because there isn’t enough room to graze the horses. Since they don’t have room to graze, they also rely on paid manpower with supplemental feed to manage all the horses. This costs more than just letting the horses graze in open fields with supplemental feed only a few months out of the year. With adoption rates so low, and the BLM not having enough room on its land, long-term holding on private property has proven to be more fiscally responsible use of taxpayer’s money.

Bluegrass Equine Digest Check out the November issue of the Bluegrass Equine Digest, a free, monthly electronic newsletter dedicated to providing up-to-date information on equine research from the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in collaboration with TheHorse. com and sponsored by Zoetis.

Click here to see this month’s stories.

• Initial results from UK Indoor Horse Arena Survey released • Using drylots to conserve pastures and reduce pollution potential • Prepurchase exam tips for OTTB buyers • Running hot and cold: caring for horses during weather changes

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P R OG R A M N E W S

UK Ag Equine Programs to host 9th annual Equine Showcase

By Holly Wiemers University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs will host the 9th Annual UK Equine Showcase Jan. 24-25 at the Fayette County Extension office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington.

The event will highlight the university’s equine programs and relevant industry findings with an emphasis on the foal, from birth to weaning. The event will span two days: Friday, Jan. 24 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. with a networking happy hour following Friday’s event and Saturday, Jan. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with lunch provided.

Topics for the showcase include epidemiology and diagnostics; infectious disease, immunology and parasitology; nutrition; musculoskeletal issues; genetics; and economics.

“This is a unique and special outreach event. The purpose is to ‘showcase’ some of what is happening at the University of Kentucky in terms of scientific discovery and service efforts relevant to young foals,” said James MacLeod, director of UK Ag Equine Programs and Elizabeth A. Knight Chair within the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center. “Attendees will hopefully gain new information they can apply to their programs, but importantly also a greater appreciation for some of the critical questions being addressed at UK, why these issues are important and where the cutting edge of research is on a number of very interesting topics.”

The UK Equine Showcase is open to veterinarians, owners and managers of all horse breeds or anyone with an interest in learning more about foals and horse management. The cost to attend is $80 until the early bird registration deadline of Jan. 13. After that date, the cost will be $100. Those prices are discounted to $70 for early bird or $90 for regular registration if two of more people from the same organization register. There are a limited amount of discounted tickets available for students who are interested in attending. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-uk-equineshowcase-tickets-79577962829. Please contact equine@uky.edu with questions about the event or to register as a student.

Continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians is pending approval by the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners.

UK is also accepting sponsor participation for the showcase. Display opportunities are available to participating organizations. Please email equine@uky.edu for details.

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PRO GRAM NEWS

Mobley Awards honor outstanding achievement, dedicated employees in Philanthropy, Alumni Relations

By Molly Tate; Source: UK Now Veterinarian and longtime program supporter Stuart E. Brown II was among four winners of the Terry B. Mobley Philanthropy Awards Nov. 20.

Presented in the Gatton Student Center, the awards, named for UK’s first vice president for development, Terry B. Mobley, recognize UK employees who have demonstrated excellence in fundraising and alumni relations, through their professional achievement, advocacy in the community or service to UK. Each recipient receives a commemorative julep cup, a stipend and recognition on the wall of award winners in the Sturgill Philanthropy Building.

“We continue to set records thanks to the contributions of today’s award winners,” said Mike Richey, vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement. “For the second consecutive year, we have raised more than $200 million, and we are more than halfway to the $2.1 billion goal of Kentucky Can: The 21st Century Campaign. These individuals are helping us develop the relationships, implement the programs and lay the groundwork that will advance the university and help us better serve the Commonwealth and beyond.”

Brown accepted the Philanthropy Service Award, a special recognition presented to people who are strong advocates for philanthropy. As a veterinarian at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, he specializes in reproductive medicine and consults on cases nationally and internationally. He also chairs the Gluck Equine Research Foundation.

Well-known in the horse and Thoroughbred industry, he has many connections that have helped grow the UK Ag Equine Programs and advance the center’s philanthropic efforts. He has been key in closing several equine-related gifts, advancing the mission of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

“It is truly a pleasure to work with Dr. Brown,” his nominator wrote. “His focus, drive and passion for UK are an inspiration to everyone around him. He is involved on all levels of administration at UK and is frequently asked to consult and weigh in on equine initiatives. His time and talent have been essential to the growth and success of the Gluck Center and UK Ag Equine Programs.”

The Mobley Awards program began in 2005 to honor Mobley’s long advancement career at UK. A former basketball player who played under Adolph Rupp, Mobley returned to his alma mater in 1977 and used his connections to grow the university’s fundraising from $3 million annually to about $61 million. The awards program has honored more than 50 individuals since its inception.

Read more about the Mobley Awards and view past winners at www.kentuckycan.uky.edu/your-gifts-atwork/mobley-awards. To learn more about Kentucky Can, visit https://www.kentuckycan.uky.edu/your-giftsat-work/kentucky-can.

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P R O G R A M SP O TL I G HT

Irish National Stud announces the class of 2020 for Thoroughbred breeding course; nine countries represented among the 27 students, two are UK equine students Source: Edited Irish National Stud news release by James Thomas The Irish National Stud has announced the 2020 intake of students for its world-renowned Thoroughbred Breeding Course.

Nine countries are represented among the 27-strong group who begin the six-month residential training program Jan. 20, with the course again heavily oversubscribed with applicants from around the globe.

Anne Channon, the program’s education manager, said, "This year's selection process was extremely difficult due to the high caliber of applications that we received.

"We are really pleased with the selected candidates and I am confident that they will use this opportunity wisely to develop their knowledge and to further their careers in the industry,” she said.

Recent graduates of the course include the up-and-coming trainers Henri-Francois Devin and Michael O'Callaghan and the Goffs auctioneer George Stanners.

Class of 2020: • Hannah Airey, New Zealand (NZTBA Scholarship Recipient) • Aaron Boland, Ireland • David Burke, Ireland • Daniel Byrne, Ireland • Honor Clinch, UK • Justine De Lageneste, France • Mike Doleuze, France • Megan Dreelin,g Ireland • Hannah Faber, UK • Anna Fairbank, UK • Inés Goupil de Bouille, France • Ben Hanley, Ireland (University of Kentucky equine student) • Charles Harris, UK • Michaela Kemp, Canada (University of Kentucky equine student) • Grace Kerr Ireland • Tyler Maronde USA • Laura McCrann Ireland • Laura McNabb New Zealand (NZTBA Scholarship Recipient) • Tom Murphy Ireland • Ross O’Mahony Ireland • Stephanie Putsch Germany • Brittany Reinhardt South Africa • Ben Swinburn UK • Rachel Thompson Australia (HTBA Scholarship Recipient) • Stuart Tyrell Ireland • Constance Vincent France • Sydnie Willett America

See the story in its entirety at https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/irish-national-stud-announces-theclass-of-2020-for-thoroughbred-breeding-course/409095?fbclid=IwAR00CZ0WK_J7TqcHQxm3uFxvnkyNv7_zhA7CXB9fZVi8KFXC4chrx2xK4Po

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PRO GRAM SP OTL IGH T

Brian Lee named associate dean in UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

By Laura Skillman Brian Lee has been named associate dean for faculty resources, planning and assessment for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.

In this role, Lee will facilitate the promotion and tenure process of faculty and academic program performance reviews.

Additionally, he will serve as contact and advisor to department chairs on college/university policies, procedures and regulations, and serve as a liaison with the university’s provost office.

“I am honored to be working for our faculty across the mission areas of extension, research, and instruction in all of our departments,” Lee said. “This role is exciting to me, because I collaborate with and support extremely talented professionals who produce innovative solutions to improve the quality of life in the commonwealth and beyond. Our office is focused on facilitating career success and academic advancement of all faculty as well as strategic planning and assessment for the college.”

Lee, a professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture, has been with the college since 2003. Prior to his new position, he served as director of undergraduate studies for both Landscape Architecture and Natural Resources and Environmental Science programs. Lee has been recognized as a teaching fellow by the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture and internationally recognized for service-learning teaching by the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture. He is a team member on the Roster of Visiting Evaluators for the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board.

He is co-editor of “Water in Kentucky: Natural History, Communities, and Conservation,” and previously served as editor of Landscape Journal.

“Dr. Lee brings a range of outstanding skills to this position,” Dean Nancy Cox said. “The goal of our administration is to serve the college in the very best and most progressive way. I look forward to working with him to sustain and develop our programs.”

Lee has a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from The Pennsylvania State University, master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

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