GOOD NEWS FOR AMERICAN QUARTER HORSES IN KENTUCKY!

BREEDERS' INCENTIVE FUND WILL AWARD NEARLY $370,000 TO ELIGIBLE AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE OWNERS IN KENTUCKY

On April 16, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority approved the Kentucky Quarter Horse Association’s Breeders’ Incentive Fund application that will provide $368,942 to eligible American Quarter Horse owners. The money represents 32.6 percent of the total money made available for the 2006 performance year and the largest portion distributed among the nine approved non-race breed associations. 

"The Kentucky Quarter Horse Association Breeders’ Incentive Fund will be one of the most significant occurrences ever for the Quarter Horse industry in Kentucky,” said KyQHA President Norm Luba.

Luba said the primary goal of the KyQHA BIF is to increase equine economic activity related to the Quarter Horse breed, by enhancing profit opportunities for both new and existing owners and breeders.

“While the Commonwealth is best known for its Thoroughbred industry, Kentucky has more verified Quarter Horses than Thoroughbreds,” noted Luba. “The Quarter Horse industry is a vital element in Kentucky’s collective equine industry.”

KyQHA BIF monies are available for both racing and AQHA Incentive Fund-enrolled performance Quarter Horses conceived and born in Kentucky during 2002 or later. Additionally, the sire must have stood the entire breeding season in Kentucky.

Payout will be determined by the number of points earned by each eligible horse. The horse owner will receive 80 percent of the award; 10 percent will go to the breeder or foal nominator and 10 percent will go to the sire owner or nominator. AQHA and KyQHA membership also is required in order to receive funds. Complete program rules for eligibility and payout calculations are available on the KyQHA Web site at www.kyqha.com.

Governor Ernie Fletcher signed the emergency regulation in December 2006 to implement the Kentucky Horse Breeders’ Incentive Fund.

According to the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, a total of $1,131,706 was collected and transferred by the Department of Revenue between July 1, 2005, and June 20, 2006, to the Kentucky Horse Breeders’ Incentive Fund account for 2006 awards. Non-race breed Incentive Fund money is guaranteed through at least 2008.

KyQHA will distribute 2006 awards within the next few months.

The Kentucky Quarter Horse Association is an official affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association. Its mission is to promote and protect the interests of the Quarter Horse in Kentucky and raise the standards of the breed.

For more information, contact  Executive Secretary Jennifer Elwell at (502) 921-2625 or Norm Luba, KyQHA President at (502) 599-2468.