The Kentucky Equine Education Project has scheduled KEEP Day in Frankfort during the 2017 legislative session for Wednesday, February 22, making it easy for those involved in the industry to meet with their state legislators to discuss the importance of horses to their districts’ economy.

“Twenty-eight new legislators were elected in the Kentucky State House of Representatives in the November elections, ushering in a change in leadership for the first time in nearly 100 years,” said Joe Clabes, KEEP’s executive director. “With important topics like tax reform expected to be considered in 2017, we need to educate new and returning members on the important role horses play in Kentucky’s economy and there are no better messengers than their own constituents.”

Horses of all breeds form a $4 billion industry in the commonwealth, supporting an estimated 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, spanning all 120 counties. Kentucky is home to 35,000 operations with at least one horse, totaling 242,400 equines (including mules and donkeys) and $23.4 billion in value when including related assets, according to a University of Kentucky Department of Agriculture survey.

KEEP’s top priority for 2017 remains the push for equine sales-tax equity, achieving the same exemption from 6% sales tax on feed, equipment and supplies that other livestock producers receive.

Clabes added, “We urge all supporters of Kentucky’s horse industry to ‘Join the Herd’ in Frankfort on February 22. There has never been a better opportunity to build relationships with our representatives in Frankfort to present a unified voice for the advancement of our horse economy.”

Those wanting to meet with their State Senator and/or Representative as part of KEEP Day can go to horseswork.com/advocacy and confirm their attendance by simply filling in their name and address. Their specific Senator and Representative will be automatically notified. Legislators will set up appointments for constituents by either email or going through KEEP in order to accommodate multiple members from their districts. Those interested in attending can also call KEEP at (859) 259-0007, and KEEP staff will help arrange appointments with legislators. The KEEP team will be in contact with all registrants prior to February 20 to provide additional information.

The first twenty attendees to register will receive a special gift. Upon their arrival in Frankfort on February 22, they’ll be given a 12 X 19” print signed by Courier-Journal photographer Michael Clevenger of his 2015 Eclipse Award-winning photo of American Pharoah clinching the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stake, with jockey Victor Espinoza looking back at the field far in his wake.

University of Southern Indiana Men’s Tennis was picked to finish second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division, according to a poll voted on by the conference’s head coaches.

USI, which received one first-place vote and 72 points, follows the University of Indianapolis, which received the other 12 first-place votes and 84 points. Rounding out the East, Lewis University was projected third (63 points), McKendree fourth (45), along with Bellarmine University (37), University of Illinois Springfield (30) and Saint Joseph’s College (26).

Drury University was voted to win the West Division, receiving 12 first-place votes and 72 points. The University of Missouri-St. Louis is projected second with 55 points and the final first-place vote. They are followed by Rockhurst University (53), Quincy University (33), William Jewell College (25), and Truman State University (25).

The Screaming Eagles will be led by sophomore James Hardiman (Backwell Bristol, United Kingdom), who is ranked 43rd in the ITA national singles rankings, and went 5-3 in the fall portion of the schedule.

Other returning contributors are junior Samuel Kiladejo (London, England) and senior Aaron Barris (Marietta, Georgia). Kiladejo and Barris each went 2-3 in the fall.

Freshman Denis Davydov (Chorvatsky Grob, Slovakia) had a successful start to his collegiate career, going 4-2 during fall play.

In doubles, Davydov and Kiladejo are regionally ranked, while Hardiman and Barris will look to build a new winning streak after having their school record 18 consecutive wins was snapped at the ITA Regionals.

The Eagles spring schedule begins February 3 when they host Indiana University Southeast at 11 a.m. at the Evansville Tennis Center. Their busy opening weekend continues February 4 when they visit Eastern Kentucky University at 3 p.m. and then travel to Butler University February 5 for a noon matchup with the Bulldogs.

2017 GLVC Men’s Tennis East Division Preseason Poll
Team                           Points      (1st Place)
1. Indianapolis                84              (12)
2. Southern Indiana      72               (1)
3. Lewis                         63
4. McKendree                 45
5. Bellarmine                  37
6. Illinois Springfield        30
7. Saint Joseph’s            26

2017 GLVC Men’s Tennis West Division Preseason Poll
Team                          Points      (1st Place)
1. Drury                         72              (12)
2. Missouri-St. Louis       55              (1)
3. Rockhurst                  53
4. Quincy                       33
5. William Jewell            29
6. Truman State             25