Posts Tagged ‘kentucky thoroughbred farm managers club’

Stuart serves as scholarship coordinator of the fund, which recently awarded 32 scholarships for 2009-2010, bring to 384 the number of annual scholarships (at an average of $2,000 apiece) handed out since the program began in 1996. Approximately 125 recipients have been graduated from college or technical programs, several with honors and many on the Dean’s list, including a 4.0 valedictorian.

The students must apply by July 1, and the scholarships are based on need, merit, essays and personal interviews with Stuart and the board members in late July. They are required to re-apply and interview each year during college. To be eligible, the applicant must have at least one parent working at a Kentucky Thoroughbred farm.

“These kids have these huge work ethics,” Stuart said, “and because most of them have never had family members go to college, it’s a whole new life experience. Some of them are shocked that they are actually getting the chance to go to college. It’s so gratifying for us because we get to hear their hopes and dreams, and it’s fun to see their confidence grow year to year. They have so much presence and are just the greatest kids.”

The idea for the scholarship fund came from Liberation Farm’s Rob Whiteley, who serves as president of the Horse Farm Workers Educational Assistance Fund, and Tom Evans of Trackside Farm, the fund’s vice president and treasurer.

Board members include Whiteley; Evans; Judge Wilson of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs,, the fund’s secretary; Dan Pride of Fasig-Tipton; John Stuart of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services; John Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm; and Chet Blackey, DVM. Churchill Downs Inc. chairman Carl Pollard serves as an informal advisor.

“I would like to thank all of the board members for their time, caring and commitment, as well as the many individuals who have generously supported and valued this remarkable group of young scholars since the Fund’s inception,” said Whiteley. “We are especially grateful to the Carl Pollard Foundation, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, Darley America, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, the Crafty Prospector syndicate, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders for their substantial contributions. In addition, I am appreciative that six of our female scholars for 2009-2010 will receive awards funded by the generosity of the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.”

This year’s scholars have a working parent at one of the following farms: Beech Spring Farm, Bradyleigh, CASA (2), Cedar Ridge, Claiborne (4), Crestwood, Darby Dan, Darley America (4), Denali, Fab Oak, Golden Age, High Point, Indian Creek, Loch Lea, Manchester, Niknar, Pin Oak, Six Winters, Stonehaven Steadings, Sunnyside, Three Chimneys (2), Wimbledon, and Winstar Farm.

The 2009-2010 Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance scholars and the schools they will be attending are as follows:

Do you know an individual or organization who you think we should consider for an upcoming “Good News Friday” feature? Then please e-mail info@paulickreport.com with the name of the individual or organization and a brief description of why you think they should be featured. Additionally, we’d like to thank Rob Whiteley and Liberation Farm for encouraging us to bring to light some of the industry’s positive stories and for sponsoring this exclusive Paulick Report feature.

By Ray Paulick
I attended my first Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club meeting in 1988, shortly after moving to the Bluegrass State to go to work for the Thoroughbred Times. The club’s monthly meetings typically offered a banquet meal of overcooked chicken or beef, a guest speaker of varying interest, and the latest gossip about horses and the people who work with them. I seldom went home hungry for food or information.

It wasn’t until many years later, however, that I learned the KTFMC is a lot more than a social club offering continuing education for its members. It is, in fact, one of the most charitable of Central Kentucky’s Thoroughbred organizations, spreading its generosity among many horse industry and community groups. In 2008, the KTFMC donated more than $100,000 to 25 different organizations ranging from those that do equine research to one that puts on a high school rodeo.

Foremost among those groups is Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, an organization whose motto is: “Help Unleash the Healing Power of the Horse.” Located at the Kentucky Horse Park, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope uses horses for therapeutic programs to improve the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs. It is a wonderful organization that really makes a difference in the community. (Incidentally, Central Kentucky Riding for Hope’s big fundraiser, the sixth annual Night of the Stars is on June 20. Click here for details.)

A colostrom bank managed by the KTFMC and facilitated by Rood and Riddle and the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute raised $42,000 in 2008, with all of the proceeds going to Riding for Hope in 2008. Another $5,000 was donated to Riding for Hope’s building fund. The colostrom program benefiting Riding for Hope has been in place about a decade and the building fund donations have been ongoing for about five years, said Matthew Koch, the 2009 Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club president.

“Mark McEntee (Miacomet Farm) has really worked hard to make the colostrom bank a success,” said Koch, the son of longtime Claiborne Farm manager Gus Koch who with his brother, Charles, and Ted Kuster, operates Shawhan Place Farm. “In 2005, the colostrom bank raised $21,000, and we’re up to about $45,000 this year. This is a totally volunteer organization and Mark is like so many of the other board members who steps up and takes responsibility. We all have a piece of the pie to make this work. Our administrator, Renee Wash, deserves a lot of credit, too.”

The second largest beneficiary of charitable giving from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club is the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI), which offers education and farm management opportunities for college students from around the country by bridging the gap between academics and practical experience. KEMI received $20,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club in 2008.

“By supporting KEMI, we’re getting something back when these kids become part of the industry,” Koch said.

KEMI and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation have been designated as the primary recipients of the farm managers’ biggest event, the 17^th Annual Challenge Cup Golf Scramble, which is coming up on Monday, June 29 at the University Golf Club near Lexington. Last year’s tournament, its biggest ever, raised over $30,000 through entry fees and sponsorships. Grant Williamson of Vinery and B.G. “Scooter” Hughes are co-chairing the Challenge Cup Committee. Click here for corporate sponsorship information, here for hole sponsorship and here to sign up to play.

There are other events, including the annual Sporting Clays Classic in August, and many other charities that benefit.

The best news I gathered about the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club when I attended one of their meetings earlier this year is that the organization is growing by leaps and bounds (its membership is over 800) and that its leadership is a blend of veteran farm managers and a younger generation who bring great enthusiasm and commitment. Combined they are helping the KTFMC fulfill its mission “to foster cooperation and understanding among members; to provide a forum for the discussion of topics critical to our profession, which will enhance and protect our professional interests; to promote fellowship among members; to be good stewards of the land and Thoroughbred industry; and to be good citizens of the community.”

The food has improved over the last 20 years, too. Keeneland’s Phoenix Room and Turf Catering provide a great setting and meal for most of the meetings (Fasig-Tipton is also a host). And it continues to be an event where you can catch up on all the industry gossip—some things haven’t changed.

Previous Good News Friday subjects: Father Chris Clay, The Race for Education, Military Appreciation Day at Keeneland, Kentucky Oaks Pink Out for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Mary Lee-Butte and the Blue Grass Farms Chaplaincy, Mary Jo Pons and the Radio Reading Network, TV Ratings Are Up, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report

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By Ray Paulick I was both flattered and humbled to be asked to speak at Wednesday night’s monthly meeting of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club and promised several people who asked that I would make a copy of the outline of my talk available on the Paulick Report web site. Click here to access the presentation.

The subject was “An Industry in Transition,” something that clearly has been true in several ways for more than a few years. The big question is where we are in that transition. My five key points were that we are 1) a cyclical industry currently in a “down” cycle, largely because of the global financial crisis but also because of self-inflicted wounds; 2)  racing must clean up its act on some issues that have been neglected and urgently need attention; 3) all wagering dollars are not created equally, and that it is extremely important that everyone understands how critical it is for horsemen to be vigilant in protecting their rights in negotiations with racetracks and account wagering companies; 4) there are some opportunities to help create a brighter future; and 5) people in the industry have a voice that can make a difference, and it’s important they use it.