Summer 2020 Ag Equine Programs Wildcat Canter

Summer 2020

C ON TE N TS

UK Equine Undergraduate Program Awarded Employability Certification PAGE 7

The University of Kentucky’s equine science and management undergraduate degree program was recently awarded an Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) certification by the QA Commons, a national nonprofit organization focused on preparing college students for the challenges they will face in the workforce.

July Equine Science Review Recap PAGE 11

UK Ag Equine Programs launched the inaugural issue of the Equine Science Review: highlighting research and outreach efforts at the University of Kentucky this spring. July marks its fourth issue.

Clubs and Teams Updates PAGE 11

New graduate student organization and updates from the Dressage Team, Polo Team and Rodeo Team.

UK in the News PAGE 13

Program, faculty, alum and students profiled in multiple publications.

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

Aug. 17: First day of classes Aug. 21: Last day to add a class Aug. 24-28: A week of Equine Get the Scoop & Welcome Back Sept. 8: Last day to drop without a W or change grading option Oct. 1: Equine Career & Opportunity Fair Oct. 12: Midterm Dec. 1-4: Finals week Dec 4: End of fall semester Dec. 10: Equine Science and Management Senior Send Off

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W E L COM E

Greetings From the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Office of Diversity The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Office of Diversity (CAFE OOD) has a long history of success supporting faculty, students and staff. We are nationally recognized for our efforts in strengthening workplace diversity, recruiting and retaining a diverse student body, building cultural awareness and most importantly serving as a resource for faculty, staff and students within the units of CAFE as we seek to enhance our land-grant mission of teaching, research and extension.

The OOD is very unique and has dedicated staff that leads diversity efforts in the college. The OOD leads the student organization, MANRRS. The National Society of MANRRS has been in existence for 35 years. The mission of MANRRS is to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences. MANRRS offers students opportunities to enhance leadership development, personal development, professional development and to experience professional critique of scholarly work.

MANRRS provides members a network of counterparts from similar backgrounds with related interests and goals.

There are two premiere events that the chapter attends annually, Regional Cluster and National Conference.

Members have the opportunity to network with prospective employers at the opportunity fair, participate in educational training, student contest and so much more!

The UK MANRRS Chapter has been in existence since 1999. The UK MANRRS Chapter has been nationally recognized consecutively for the past seven years as the Chapter of the Year, defeating 75 chapters from 38 states. We have a track record of students and professionals serving on the national MANRRS officer team.

Currently, Antomia Farrell, assistant dean and director for diversity, serves as the national MANRRS president. Current chapter member Jahqethea Johnson serves as the national Region III undergraduate vice president and member Montreale Jones as the national graduate student parliamentarian. Over the last eight years, we have had more than 20 chapter members serve in the capacity as a national officer.

The chapter prides itself on creating a safe space for students to ensure that they have a sense of belonging as a student and eventually as an alumnus of the college. The UK MANRRS Chapter focuses on personal and professional development, mental health, recruitment and retention of students from diverse backgrounds, scholarship, civic engagement, leadership development and fundraising. The beauty of UK MANRRS is that members have input in the outcomes they would like from the chapter. We focus on developing each member based on their goals. The members always state, “What you put into MANRRS is what you get out of MANRRS.” This stands true since the chapter’s inception. Our members earn internships, conduct research and study abroad as early as their freshman year and we have a high success rate of members securing internships and fulltime employment.

The chapter has an executive board that plans and implements all programs and meetings. Meetings will be held biweekly beginning in September. Dues are $10 for the year. Our members are very engaged in our college, community and nationally! For more information about MANRRS, please go to our website: https://diversity.ca.uky.edu/.

Contact information: Dr. Antomia Farrell, assistant dean and director for diversity, antomia.farrell@uky.edu Kendriana Price, acting assistant director for diversity, Kendriana.Price@uky.edu UK MANRRS email: uky@manrrs.org

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M A STHE A D

Wildcat Canter Editorial Staff Sabrina Jacobs, contributing writer Katelynn Krieger, 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, Mark Pearson Photography; this page: Jimmy Henning, photographer

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. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Katelynn Krieger, OfficialUKDressageTeam@gmail.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

Advisor: Dr. Roger Brown, rogerbrown@uky.edu President: Federico Puyana, Fpu223@uky.edu Facebook: U of Kentucky Polo

E Q UE ST RIA N TEAM

R O D EO TEAM

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

Advisor: Dr. Laurie Lawrence, llawrenc@uky.edu Presidents: Averie Levanti, Ukhorseracingclub@gmail.com Facebook: UKY Horse Racing Club

H UNT SEAT TEAM

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

Facebook: UKY Equestrian Team

SAD D L E SEAT TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Bob Coleman, rcoleman@uky.edu President: CSamantha Dolan, Uk.equestrianteam@gmail.com

W ES TERN TEAM

President: Maggie Rumbaugh, Ukwesternequestrian@gmail.com

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

Facebook: UKY Western IHSA Team

E V E N TING TEAM

Advisor: Dr. Jill Stowe, jill.stowe@uky.edu President: Jacqueline LeMastus, Jlemastus@me.com Facebook: UK Dressage and Eventing

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P R OG RAM U PDATES

UK Coronavirus Resource

Keep up to date on UK’s coronavirus information at https://www.uky.edu/coronavirus/

Two Equine Alums Graduate From Irish National Stud Michaela Kemp and Ben Hanley, both alums of the Equine Science and Management undergraduate program, recently completed their program with the Irish National Stud.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our Dean’s List students

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FEAT URE S T O RY

UK Equine Undergraduate Program Awarded Employability Certification

By Holly Wiemers The University of Kentucky’s equine science and management undergraduate degree program was recently awarded an Essential Employability Qualities (EEQs) certification by the QA Commons, a national nonprofit organization focused on preparing college students for the challenges they will face in the workforce.

UK’s equine program is one of only 13 programs certified nationally, and the only equine-focused one. Programs are EEQ certified through a comprehensive and integrated framework of criteria that includes graduate preparation; career services integration; employer engagement; student and alumni engagement; and public display of career information. The eight identified Essential Employability Qualities are communication, thinking and problem solving, inquiry, collaboration, adaptability, principles and ethics, responsibility and professionalism and learning.

“The UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is committed to preparing our students for the 21st century workforce. We are very proud of the equine science and management program for earning an Essential Employability Qualities Certification. This certification is a strong signal to employers that students who graduate from this program are prepared with the skills necessary to succeed in the equine industry,” said Carmen Agouridis, associate dean for instruction.

The undergraduate degree program is one of three pillars of equine excellence in the college. Education, research and extension/outreach are the hallmarks of a land-grant institution, and equine programming at UK checks each of those boxes with robust offerings.

The equine science and management program is also one of only three standalone four-year equine undergraduate programs in the U.S. connected to a land-grant university. All students in the major are required to take courses that provide a strong background in equine science, management and business. Additionally, they can customize their education in at least one of the three emphasis areas: equine science, equine management and business, and communications and leadership.

“Employability skills are essential to being pre¬pared for both initial and long-term profession¬al success,” said James MacLeod, UK Ag Equine Programs director and faculty member in the Gluck Equine Research Center. “In our curriculum, we absolutely value a strong foundation of knowledge in equine science and core subjects. Import¬antly, however, we concurrently strive to help students develop essential employability skills that will enable them to reach career goals and achieve their full potential.”

Students in the program have many opportunities for career and industry growth outside the classroom via academic enrichment in internships or study abroad, leadership via the program’s student ambassador program – Wildcat Wranglers – or participation in one of nine equine clubs and teams.

“The Essential Employability Qualities program certification program is a great way to solidify the measures we have taken to ensure that our students are ready for careers within the equine indus-try,” said Kristen Wilson, academic coordinator in the equine science and management program. “Preparing students in both the equine content and skills, as well as employability skills, is essential to have them succeed as professionals in the industry.”

Students have multiple opportunities to apply learning in work-relevant contexts. The required 150-hour internship, as well as internships students complete outside of curricular requirements, prepare students for work in the equine industry. In addition to internships, there are numerous other interactions with employers, such as the job-shadowing assignment, attending industry events and hosting guest speakers. Career development begins with a strengths assessment during the freshman year and progresses through a path to professionalism outlined by the program for the subsequent years.

“Our program is on the front lines of integrating high quality career development for our students. We want our students, alumni, university partners and our industry to know the ways we’re help¬ing our students grow in these key areas,” said Savannah Robin, the program’s internship coordinator. “We are excited to highlight the innovative efforts of our faculty and staff and the exceptional attributes of our students.”

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Equine Science and Management Alumni Profile Olivia Desch, ‘18 Bloodstock and marketing assistant at WinStar Farm Where is home for you?

Cincinnati, Ohio How did you first become involved in the horse industry?

I have always had a passion for horses. I was first put on a horse at 2 and also became an avid racing fan as a kid.

What were your career goals before graduation?

I knew entering college that I wanted to work in the Thoroughbred industry and bloodstock always seemed interesting.

How are you currently involved in the horse industry?

Besides working at WinStar, I have two Off-TheTrack Thoroughbreds. My newest one recently retired and I am retraining him.

What advice do you have for current equine students?

Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Working hard at whatever it is and making good connections will help you along the way.

What are your current job responsibilities?

I help our bloodstock and marketing team with whatever they need from sales research to budget tracking. Outside of that, I have many other responsibilities. I am our farm manager’s assistant, so I get to work yearling and breeding stock sales with him. I also coordinate with Visit Horse Country on WinStar’s tour schedule.

What led you to this position?

I started with WinStar my senior year as an intern and have been here ever since. My freshman year at UK, I joined the Horse Racing Club and the president at the time was a WinStar intern who became their marketing coordinator and she was actually the one who hired me as an intern.

Was there a turning point in college that had an impact on your career?

Not really, I always knew this was the path I wanted.

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Kristen Wilson

Academic Coordinator

Equine Programs Staff Spotlight

Education: I received both of my degrees from University of Florida (Go Gators!) I have a bachelor of science degree in animal sciences with an equine focus and minor in agricultural business. My master’s degree is in Extension education with minor in youth development.

Favorite aspect of her work: My favorite aspect of my job with UK is working with students and watching them grow. Each student has unique goals and backgrounds and I’ve been blessed to be part of their journey navigating through their academic career and beyond. I get to take two things I’m passionate about, the horse and students, and use them to teach and mentor students.

History with the program: I started with Ag Equine Programs in January 2013, so seven and one-half years. Wow. That went by fast!

Advice for equine students: Study hard. Network, network, network and find connections to the segments of the industry you love. Find a part-time job.

Experience a different part of the industry than you are used to, and learn more.

Take on leadership opportunities and stay connected once you graduate.

Why did you choose to educate equine students?: When I was an undergrad trying to figure out my own career path, I always looked at someone in a similar role to mine now and thought, "Wow, wouldn’t that be a cool job?" I knew I wanted to work with young people and started out my career working with the 4-H youth development program, which I loved, but really I was meant to be on campus. I enjoy working with students, teaching, mentoring and advising them, so my current job allows me to do all of those things.

F EAT U R E S TORY

July Equine Science Review Recap

By Holly Wiemers UK Ag Equine Programs launched the inaugural issue of the Equine Science Review: highlighting research and outreach efforts at the University of Kentucky this spring. July marks its fourth issue.

The Review is a monthly newsletter from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment that highlights the important equine work happening at the university. UK is home to world-class research and service excellence in equine health, safety, nutrition, pasture and forages, economics, engineering, environmental compliance and many others. Programs at UK offer the depth and breadth of scope fitting its location in the heart of horse country.

View the July 2020 issue here.

Stories featured in the July issue include: •

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Promising developments in quest to prevent catastrophic racehorse injuries; UK study shows association between mRNA biomarkers and catastrophic injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses A look at equine markets amidst COVID-19 Ashley Steuer wins prestigious award Zero confirmed equine lepto abortions, A 30-year first, demonstrates power of research leading to a successful vaccine Equine Innovators: African Horse Sickness with Dr. Peter Timoney Complete pasture renovation Science sleuths: the science that shapes diagnostic tests; PCR: what’s behind commonly used acronym?

UK grad student Mok defends PhD virtually Forage timely tips Is rained-on hay any good?

Graduate Student Spotlight: Anna Pasternak AAEP publishes African Horse Sickness guidelines UK webinar series to help farm families work through current economic challenges UK In the news

Have updates delivered to your inbox each month by subscribing to the Review here.

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C LUBS AN D TE AM S

Graduate Students in the Department of Veterinary Science Form a New Student Organization The graduate students within the Gluck Equine Research Center officially formed a graduate student organization named the Veterinary Science Graduate Student Organization (VSGO). This organization is sponsored and recognized by the Graduate Student Congress.

The current president is Erica Macon and faculty advisor is Dan Howe, faculty member at the Gluck Center.

According to Macon, the organization has many aims, initially starting with an increased presence because the organization is new.

She said the group serves to empower the graduate students within the Veterinary Science Department, increase their presence within the department and within the equine industry in Kentucky.

For more information, email Mason at Erica.Macon@uky.edu.

UK Dressage Team The UK Dressage Team competes with other colleges in the region. Team members will either ride a dressage test in front of a judge or will ride in dressage seat equitation. Dressage seat equitation is a flat class with other riders in that level; riders are judged solely on equitation and not the patterns of a test.

A student can get involved by coming to meetings and joining the team for events. Participants can also get involved by following the team’s social media outlets, which are kept up to date. The team does require tryouts to determine which level participants compete in.

Those who try out will hear back with the results within a week of the final tryout.

The team uses and practices out of the facilities at Clover Hill Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The team’s coach is also based out of there, enabling access and the ability to ask questions when at the barn. Students do not need their own horse to be a part of this team. The farm has horses available for practices and competitions use the horses at the school the team competes at.

Something that the team is very proud of is even with the season getting cut short, the team placed third in the region. The team has riders from all different backgrounds and styles of riding, and loves to learn from each other to grow as riders and as people. The team would love to get to know you and welcome you to the family!

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CLU B S A N D T E AMS

UK Polo Team UK Polo is club sport that focuses on practicing the sport of horse polo. Inside the student-run program, there are 15 members from different parts of the country and the globe.

UK polo has a string of 14 top-of-the-line polo ponies, which are used for games, practices and lessons. The men’s and women’s varsity teams compete year-round against other university teams in tournaments across the country representing the University of Kentucky.

The program has members of all levels and backgrounds. The team conducts polo clinics, one to one polo and riding lessons and teaches important horsemanship skills. Members greatly enjoy sharing their passion for horses and polo with anyone that is interested to try something new and different.

Something the team is very proud about is its varsity women's team. They are on route for the national intercollegiate tournament next semester. The men's team is ranked #2 in the entire southeastern region of the U.S. The team only requires tryouts for players interested in playing in the men’s and women’s varsity teams. Any new member has access to riding and playing while being accompanied by experienced members to help them develop their riding and polo skills. The only requisite is to be willing to learn and have fun.

Some of the team’s main events include open to public polo exhibition games, fundraisers and its annual polo ball.

The easiest way to get involved with UK Polo is to contact the team through any of its social media platforms and its members would be happy to introduce you to its program.

Insta: @Uk_polo Facebook: University of Kentucky Polo email: wildcatpolo1@gmail.com www.ukypolo.weebly.com

UK Rodeo Team The University of Kentucky Rodeo Team competes in the Ozark region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association, NIRA. Through NIRA, the team’s students can compete in events such as saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, barrel racing, goat tying, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping. Rode,o for many of the team’s members, is an outlet where they can escape the stress over classes and enjoy doing something they love. The team has students from all corners of the United States with different backgrounds and disciplines. The rodeo family at UK is continuously growing and is dedicated to taking the team to the next level. The team practices at Mark Wilks and Hodge Arena.

To get involved in the team, students can follow the team

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FEAT URE S T O RY on Facebook at University of Kentucky Rodeo Team or on Instagram at UKrodeoteam. The team will have an informational meeting the first few weeks of school for students to come learn more about the team and join.

You can also check out our website https://www.ukyrodeoteam.com.

Though the season got cut short, at the last rodeo the team had one of its members, current Vice President Kylie Jo Daugherty, win the short go round and the average at the rodeo in breakaway roping. The team can't wait for this upcoming year and its competitors as they are improving each rodeo.

The team volunteers at all the rodeos the Kentucky Horse Park offers and is a big part of Cowboy Up for a Cure Rodeo. You do not have to have a horse to join the team. The team has many students that learn to ground rope with its members and attend rodeos as a group.

UK in the News The UK Equine Science and Management undergraduate degree program was recently featured in the BloodHorse magazine. The story, downloaded from the publication, can be read here.

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U K IN THE NEWS

The Next Generation with Sam Bussanich

By Katie Ritz, Source, Thoroughbred Daily News, July 21 The TDN has partnered with Amplify Horse Racing to present “The Next Generation,” an ongoing video series featuring young people who were not born into the Thoroughbred business, but are now excelling within the industry.

The only thing 6-year-old Samantha Bussanich needed was a trip to Calder Race Course with her grandfather to know that racing was the sport for her. Flash forward less than 20 years later, and she’s now an alumna of the University of Kentucky, and has made a name for herself in many sectors of Lexington’s Thoroughbred industry from racing, to breeding, to marketing. ‘Sam’ just wrapped up a threeyear stint working for top trainer Mark Casse, and is now preparing to board a plane for Ireland in a few weeks to begin her journey with Future Godolphin Flying Start trainee Saman- the Godolphin Flying Start program. tha Bussanich | EquiSport Photos

Read the story in its entirety here.

2020 Godolphin Flying Start Alumni Awards Recognize Alum Madison Scott Source: BloodHorse The 2020 Godolphin Flying Start Alumni Awards, held virtually June 23, included recognition for UK Equine Science and Management alumni Madison Scott.

According to the organization’s news release, the alumni awards are peer-voted accolades aimed to recognize achievements among the network of 177 graduates.

The "Rising Star" Influence Award is for the graduate who has shown greatest leadership or example to others in the industry. This includes changing an aspect of the industry for the better or making improvements where others have been unable to before through supporting or initiating community, charity or industry initiatives.

The 2018 graduate, Madison Scott, was the worthy recipient of this accolade. Scott works for Solis/Litt Bloodstock in Kentucky, but is also the co-founder, alongside current Godolphin Flying Start second year trainee Annise Montplaisir, of Amplify Horse Racing.

Launched in 2019, Amplify is a U.S.-based initiative aimed at welcoming and educating newcomers to the Thoroughbred industry while collaborating with existing initiatives and promoting opportunities for involvement. Amplify has already received a huge amount of traction since its inception in 2019.

"This award is voted for by your peers, which is probably the most meaningful accolade that anyone could give you," Scott said. "Your peers are quite often your harshest critics so it's very special that anyone would even think of me for this, let alone to get enough votes to actually win it. So thank you everyone, I really appreciate it."

Read the story in its entirety here.

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FEAT URE S T O RY

Mick Peterson and Track Safety Testing and Research Featured Recently Source: WKYT July 6 story The eyes of horse racing fans are shifting back here to the Bluegrass.

Keeneland opens Wednesday for a short summer meet, and a much-delayed Kentucky Derby is coming up in September at Churchill Downs.

But in recent months, particularly before the coronavirus pandemic upended nearly all facets of life, the sport has remained under a lot of scrutiny over the safety of its thoroughbred athletes.

Lawmakers are extending oversight and the industry is making reforms, but addressing questions of safety is about more than meets the eye. It is about what meets the hoof, and one professor at the University of Kentucky is at the center of a major effort to ensure the safety of the surfaces on which horses run.

“It’s one of those situations where we started late, and we’ve managed to leap-frog other sports,” said Dr. Mick Peterson, a UK professor and racetrack safety director.

For the past 15 years, Peterson has worked to develop a series of protocols to test horse racing surfaces. He and his team at the Racing Surface Testing Laboratory monitor weather conditions, document everything done to the track and measure the track’s makeup, especially the moisture content.

"We approach the thoroughbred racing surface the same way you approach taking off in an aircraft," Dr. Peterson said. "We have every safety system in place and we need to document that everything has been done to provide the most consistent surface possible for the races that are coming up."

Peterson says their protocols are now used at 14 top race tracks across the country, and industry experts want more to sign on. The goal is consistency on the track from coast to coast, day to day, even race to race.

Read and watch the story in its entirety here.

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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