Lexington, KY - At the Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) Annual Conference, outstanding achievements in the Kentucky equine industry were recognized. High point individual accomplishments were recognized at the January 14 banquet through six KHC programs: Youth Saddlebuster, KHC Natural Pleasure, KHC Trail Pleasure, Eventing/Dressage Horse of the Year, Hunter/Jumper Horse of the Year, and Stock Seat Horse of the Year.

For the second consecutive year, Colt McGuire of Campbellsburg earned the 2010 Youth Saddlebuster Award riding his Rocky Mountain Horse. McGuire received an embroidered bridle bag and $25.

Suzanne Meeks of Louisville and her horse "Wildfire Jewels" were awarded the KHC Natural Pleasure 2010 High Point Winners and presented with a $300 check. Morehead resident Melissa Marcum and her horse I'm Clean and Sober tied with Debbie Smothers of Nicholasville and her horse She is a Bad Cat for 2010 KHC Trail Pleasure High Point Winners. Marcum and Smothers each received a $150 cash prize.

The Horse of the Year recognized horses competing in three discipline classifications: Hunter/Jumper, Eventing/Dressage, or Stock Seat. The high point competitor from each discipline received a $300 cash prize. The 2010 Dressage/Eventing Horse of the Year was presented to "KheFaala Muscatel" owned by Lance Bowman of Paducah. "Diskus" owned by Arie van der Heiden of Carlisle was recognized as the Hunter/Jumper Horse of the Year. The Stock Seat Horse of the Year was awarded to "Peppy Fox Jet" owned by Donna & Dewayne Waldrup of Moorefield.

The Lewis County Rough Riders was recognized as the 2010 Association of the Year. After forming the Rough Riders in 2009, the new equestrian group hosted trail rides and activities for the 4-H horse club and where an overgrown field and trees once stood, they built a horse show ring with local community and business support.

In honor of the outstanding contributions made to protect and sustain Kentucky trails for equestrian use, Dennis and Pat Blackburn of Harrodsburg were recognized in memoriam as Trail Masters of the Year. Sons Samuel and Jonathan accepted the award. Dennis Blackburn was chair of the KHC Trail Committee and Kentucky Back Country Horsemen. The husband and wife duo were true stewards of the land and spent hundreds of volunteer hours annually working to develop land use relationships, restore and improve existing equestrian trails and facilities, and teach others about the importance of responsible trail use.

"The Blackburns put other people's needs ahead of their own, and didn't know the meaning of the words 'no', or 'we're too busy'", commented Ginny Grulke, KHC Executive Director.

Rusty Ford, Equine Programs Manager for the Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian, was named the 2010 Equine Health Steward. Ford has been safekeeping the health of Kentucky's horses for more than 20 years. His contributions to the planning and implementation of the import of foreign horses for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were critical to the success of the event.

"Rusty is an incredible asset to the Office of the State Veterinarian, veterinarians, equine event managers, and horse owners because of his connections within the industry and with the USDA as well as his innate ability to recognize who needs to be involved in decision making processes. As an expert in epidemiology, Rusty diligently works to protect Kentucky horses from disease outbreaks such as Contagious Equine Metritis, Equine Infectious Anemia, and more recently Piroplasmosis," reflected Dr. Jeremy Whitman, KHC Equine Health and Welfare Committee Chair.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) was recognized as the 2010 Educational Partner of the Year for their commitment to quality equine education. KHC publishes a weekly e-newsletter containing current equine news, information, and events. In every edition of the e-newsletter, an educational article is also included. Because these articles cover a range of topics and include a variety of expert authors, KHC often borrows from the Kentucky Equine Research library. The KER articles are well written, professionally researched, and accessible to a diverse readership.

KHC Immediate Past President, Madelyn Millard of Lexington, was presented an Award of Excellence in gratitude for her years of dedicated service as President of the Kentucky Horse Council. Millard owns and operates Goose Creek Stables at Waterwild Farm, continues to serve on the KHC board of directors, and is the Vice-President of the Coalition of State Horse Councils.

Current President, Anna Zinkhon presented Millard with a custom barn quilt and recognition plaque saying, "Because of Madelyn's leadership and vision, the Kentucky Horse Council has a national reputation for extensive trail support and equine welfare programs. It is an honor to take the leadership reins from Madelyn's capable hands."

ENDS