| Goal to KEEP Horses Working
By Brooke Melville Henry County Local In 1986, Kentucky was home to about 625 Thoroughbred stallions. Today, the state boasts just 385. Kentucky once had a thriving Standardbred breeding industry. Now, it's practically gone. These are just a few of the facts driving the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), an organization dedicated to protecting the state's number-one agricultural cash crop-the horse. Formed in May 2004, KEEP represents all horse breeds and uses a grass-roots approach to increase awareness of the benefits of Kentucky's horse economy, including $950 million in farm cash receipts for 2004, direct and indirect job opportunities, tourism dollars, and an inexpensive source of recreation. The latter is one of the primary motivators of Henry County's KEEP chairman, Larry Congleton. Congleton has been raising horses practically all of his life. His family represents four generations of Quarterhorse enthusiasts. "We've been in this for a long time, and we're in it for the long haul," Congleton said. "We're not just weekend riders; we ride every day of the week." They ride, they breed, they show and they sell. And Congleton hopes organizations like KEEP will help keep his horses working for Kentucky, as the coalition's motto indicates. But contrary to what some may believe, that notion is no longer a slam-dunk here in the Bluegrass State. Kentucky is unique in one very important facet-in many ways, it's actually more expensive to breed and raise horses here than in other states, Congleton said. Through tax incentives, other states are drawing horse breeders away. "We pay taxes on everything for the equine industry," Congleton said of current Kentucky laws. "People are taking mares to other states for the incentives. And we're trying to get them back." Congleton pointed out that the last two Derby winners were foaled in states with tax and farming incentives designed to attract horse breeding away from Kentucky. While he believes Kentucky will always be known as "The Horse State," those incentives have inspired more and more people in the equine industry to go elsewhere-and to stay there. The KEEP organization was successful in the 2005 legislative session in helping secure appropriations for a breeder incentive fund to benefit all breeds in Kentucky, as well as getting a tax waived that had previously been placed on out-of-state buyers, causing them to look elsewhere to breed their mares. Congleton said those changes would likely not have occurred were it not for the influence of KEEP, which lists as one of its goals encouraging initiatives to stimulate jobs and economic growth through economic incentives and tax reform. In other words, a key focus of KEEP is to influence legislation, Congleton said. "It's not so much that we want money; we want membership," he explained. As of May, the organization had raised about $5 million in donations. But finances are not the problem. There are currently about 30 members of KEEP in Henry County, but there are many more horse enthusiasts here. Congleton's hope is to increase the membership rolls locally, as there is power in numbers. In Henry County, KEEP hopes to contribute significantly to the new agriculture marketing center set for construction at the fairgrounds. Congleton also hopes the group will become more involved with other local projects, such as the Henry County Harvest Showcase. Ultimately, he believes KEEP will benefit the horse industry in Henry County, which is already growing as more and more families seek the fellowship of trail rides, horse shows and other equine-related activities. "This is not only for me, but for my grandchildren, and for the 4H, and for generations in the future," Congleton said. "It's something we need to look at for down the road. "If they want to see the horse industry stay big in Kentucky, every county has to do their part," Congleton added. For more information on KEEP, or to become involved in the program, visit www.horseswork.com or contact Congleton at (502)532-6016. Congleton also encourages all horse enthusiasts to join the Henry County Equine Association, which has regular meetings here in Henry County. For more information, contact Connie Snowden at (502)532-0318. |
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