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EQUINE PROMOTION BOARD INVITES HORESEMEN TO APPLY FOR UPCOMING VACANCIES Springfield, IL – The Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board (EPB) is asking interested, qualified Illinois horsemen to submit applications for two seats on the Board Deadline for applications is January 31, 2012 so appointments can be made at the Board’s annual meeting, according to Karen E. Freese, Chair. “We are particularly looking for applicants from the Southern part of the state,” Freese said. The Board is made up of Illinois horsemen who must represent a cross section of the industry by geography and segment. Application forms are available on the Internet at www.HorsemensCouncil.org. Click on the EPB logo, then locate Board Applications under the index for Directors & Committees. Applications also may be requested from the Board office in Springfield. All applications shall be submitted to: Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62703, phone (217) 529-6503, A resume or brief biography is requested to enable the EPB to make an informed and unbiased decision on the qualifications of each individual applying. By law, EPB funds must go to support equine research, education and promotion in keeping with the enabling legislation’s core purpose: "Enhancement of the Illinois equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities. Grants to institutions and individuals will be related to equine research, education and industry enhancements and promotion." Any group, individual, company or institution may apply for funding. Preference will be given to projects benefiting the largest number of people/horses. A detailed research application is available (as well as a shorter project application) at www.HorsemensCouncil.org or from the EPB administrative office. - 121411 - ILLINOIS EQUINE PROMOTION BOARDAWARDS MORE THAN $84,000 IN GRANTS A detailed research application is available (as well as a shorter project application) at www.HorsemensCouncil.org or from the EPB administrative office, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Suite 200, Springfield, IL 62703, phone (217) 529-6503. Springfield, IL – More than $84,000 in grants by the Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board (EPB) have been awarded, according to Karen Freese, chair. Grants are funded by the Illinois equine check-off program, which provides for the voluntary assessment of a nickel per 50-pound bag of horse feed sold at retail. The awards went to 10 projects in communities from deep in southern Illinois north to Rockford. The grants were presented at the 2011 Illinois Horse Fair, attended by more than 10,000 horse owners. Carbondale – Sheryl King, Ph.D., director of the Equine Science Program at Southern Illinois University, received $7,800 to start “HORSE SENSE,” an educational outreach program for horse novices across the state, intended to deliver education and practical experience about horses and their management. “We’ll include topics such as safety, nutrition, responsible care and welfare,” Dr. King said. The program will act as a vehicle for outreach, mentorship and retention of new horse owners while increasing their involvement in the industry. Decatur – Decatur Park District Advisory Board Member Colleen Klaiber accepted $10,450 for improvements to the District’s Big Creek equestrian facility. The funds will allow renovations to begin on the Show Barn, part of a 10-year master plan. It begins with replacing stalls in three phases. The show barn houses horses stabled at Big Creek during two and three-day events. Harvard – BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center in Harvard received $6,500 for materials volunteers will use to build a perimeter fence needed to separate the facility from a busy road. The grant was accepted by Marge Gunnar, BraveHearts’ founder, and Rolf Gunnar, M.D., chairman of BraveHearts’ board of directors. Hillsboro – Luck-N-Buck Saddle Club received $7,000 toward materials purchases so volunteers can rebuild the club’s arena to prevent standing water as well as to add lighting to improve its usefulness. Accepting the award was Holly Harvey, president; Mary Moore, vice president; Diane Dowdy, treasurer; and board members Brian Evans, Art Moore and Norman Hemken. Metropolis – Massac County Youth Fair Board was granted $6,500 for improvements to the Youth Fairgrounds, including adding round-pens and lighting for educational clinics and improvements to their concession stand so they can generate additional income to support programming. The facility serves not only Massac County, but also 16 surrounding counties. Dale Walter, board president, accepted the award. Moline – New Kingdom Trailriders received $4,200 to purchase harness (with a second set of reins for the instructor) and related equipment to allow them to expand their therapeutic riding program to include driving. A cart, complete with hydraulic wheelchair lift, already has been donated to the program. National – Dr. Samuel Black, who heads University of Massachusetts’ Veterinary and Animal Science department, in conjunction with the Morris Animal Foundation, was awarded $5,000 toward a study to identify the factors that lead to laminitis. ”Teasing apart the chemical cascade that leads to laminitis is the first step to finding treatments, or even a cure for this potentially devastating condition,” he said. This ongoing research also is supported by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Knapp Fresian Foundation, and has the potential to benefit not only horses in Illinois, but around the world. The grant was accepted by Megan Hampton, development manager for Morris Animal Foundation. Olney – East Fork Arena and Trails, a 40-acre site designated by the City of Olney for development of a horse arena, trails and camp site under the direction of the White Squirrel Saddle Club, received $10,000 to continue work on arena lighting and an announcer’s stand, plus additional campsites with electric/water hookups and wash racks. Summer plans include adding a shower house/bathroom and additional parking areas. The facility currently serves 700 participants and 500 horses, plus show crowds. The funds will go toward equipment and material purchases, with labor provided by volunteers. Allen and Cathy Zellmer of the White Squirrel Saddle Club accepted the grant. Pike County – The Pike County Fair Board Horse Committee received $6,600 to purchase materials for construction of an announcer stand and storage facility. Project director Eric Kirgan accepted the award. Rockford – Trailside Equestrian Center, operated by the Rockford Park District, received $20,000 for improvements to facilities and pastures at its Lockwood Park equestrian program. The program is home to 60 horses used for trail rides, lessons, youth camps and education programs, as well as being equine ambassadors to the park’s 120,000 annual visitors. Accepting the award was Debbie Ackerman, who manages the Trailside Equestrian Center. By law, EPB funds must go to support equine research, education and promotion in keeping with the enabling legislation’s core purpose: “Enhancement of the Illinois equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities. Grants to institutions and individuals will be related to equine research, education and industry enhancements and promotion.” Any group, individual, company or institution may apply for funding. Preference will be given to projects benefiting the largest number of people/horses. - 031410 - EPB Welcomes Three New Directors, Expresses Appreciation to Retiring Directors Marcy Heepke, Edwardsville; Lori Nelson, Mechanicsburg; and Peter Veit, Naperville, have been named directors for the Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board. The Equine Promotion Board is constrained by law to appoint persons who represent a variety of equine industry interests and who must represent Illinois' various geographic areas. Heepke will be representing the pleasure horse industry in the southern region. She is a graduate of SIU-C with degrees in Equine Science and Equine Reproductive Physiology, and she owns Triangle H Farm, providing a full service, family-oriented horse riding, training, boarding and education facility. In 2007, Heepke was named one of the "Top 50 Riding Instructors in America" by the American Riding Instructors Association, and Triangle H Farm was awarded Stable Management Magazine's "Top Stable" in the country for giving back to the community. Peter Veit will be representing the trail and pleasure industry in the northern region. Veit has been involved in the horse industry for over 30 years as an owner and participant in fox hunting, trail riding, horse camping, and showing. Veit is president and principal engineer at TSR engineering a consulting company specializing in metal finishing, plating, refining and related fields with major emphasis on pollution control. - 102009 - New director applications are being accepted at this time for seats expiring in 2010. Application forms are available on this web site. Locate Board Applications under the index for Directors & Committees. Applications also may be requested from the Board office in Springfield. - 102009 - Your Equine Research & Promotion Dollars at Work From roofs to fences, from pastures to trails, from first responders to Ph.D's, your equine checkoff dollars are working hard in Illinois. Most notably, an $8,700 grant to the Shawnee Trails Conservancy from the EPB, turned into $128,000 when it was used to obtain matching funds from the Recreation Trails Program, created through the National Recreation Fund Act. The grant-funded trail work will be designed to protect sensitive natural resources, while providing a well-maintained equestrian trail through some of the most visited areas of the Shawnee National Forest. Rainbow Riders provides an excellent volunteer opportunity for those who love to help and work with people and horses, according to Hoelscher. "It's an amazing place, and it really does provide hope and offer a beautiful and therapeutic experience for the children and their families," she said. Thanks in part to Becky's efforts, the Rainbow Riders horses have a new roof over their barn. - 102009 - Equine Promotion Board Invites Horsemen to Apply for Upcoming Vacancies Springfield, IL – The Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board (EPB) is asking interested, qualified Illinois horsemen to submit applications for three seats on the Board to be filled, beginning this year. Deadline for applications is February 28, 2009 so appointments can be made at the Board's annual meeting, according to Karen E. Freese, Chair. The Board is made up of Illinois horsemen who must represent a cross section of the industry by geography and segment. Members whose terms are expiring are Penny Boyer, southern Illinois, working horses; Lois Guyon, northern Illinois, pleasure horses; and Steve Hollewell, northern Illinois, show horses. Application forms are available on the Internet at www.HorsemensCouncil.org. Click on the EPB logo, then locate Board Applications under the index for Directors & Committees. Applications also may be requested from the Board office in Springfield. All applications shall be submitted to: Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board, 3085 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703, phone (217) 585-1600, fax (217) 585-1601. A resume or brief biography is requested to enable the EPB to make an informed and unbiased decision on the qualifications of each individual applying. The EPB is charged with selecting recipients for grants funded by the Illinois equine checkoff program, which provides for the voluntary assessment of a nickel per 50-pound bag of horse feed sold at retail. By law, EPB funds must go to support equine research, education and promotion in keeping with the enabling legislation's core purpose: "Enhancement of the Illinois equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities. Grants to institutions and individuals will be related to equine research, education and industry enhancements and promotion." Illinois has more than 77,000 horse owners and 213,000 horses, constituting a $3.8 billion industry and providing more than 15,000 fulltime jobs. Any group, individual, company or institution may apply for funding. Preference will be given to projects benefiting the largest number of people/horses. A detailed research application is available (as well as a shorter project application) at www.HorsemensCouncil.org or from the EPB administrative office. For information: Karen Freese (217) 677-2152 - 010509 - ILLINOIS EQUINE PROMOTION BOARD AWARDS $70,600 IN GRANTS Springfield, IL – More than $70,600 in grants by the Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board have been awarded, according to Karen Freese, chair. Grants are funded by the Illinois equine checkoff program, which provides for the voluntary assessment of a nickel per 50-pound bag of horse feed sold at retail. The awards went to projects in seven communities from north to south across the state, including Carbondale, Cisne, Eddyville, Hillsboro, Kampsville, Manhattan and Moline. A joint proposal from the Shawnee Trails Conservancy and the Shawnee National Forest received $20,000 in matching funds for construction and improvement of segments of the Designated Trail System in Pope and Gallatin counties. The funds are to leverage a larger grant request from the Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The total cumulative project cost is estimated at $400,000, according to Tim Pohlman, Shawnee National Forest Recreation Program Manager, Harrisburg, IL. "RTP funds will be sought for 80% of the cost, the Shawnee NF will fund 15% and a 5% non-federal source is required," Pohlman said. "The EPB grant covers this 5%," he explained. The Shawnee NF trail system is used by thousands of equestrians a year, making it an economic magnet for the area, according to Cindy Cain, executive director of the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau. A study in 2003 counted more than 38,000 visitors to horse campgrounds alone in the area. Sheryl S. King, Ph.D., director of the Equine Science Program at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and researcher Karen L. Jones, Ph.D., of SIU's Department of Animal Science, were given $15,000 to complete the second year of a study on the effects of Omega-3 fatty acids in reducing stress in horses. "Stress compromises physical and mental capabilities in the horse," according to Dr. King, who notes that horses under stress fatigue faster, turn in poorer athletic performances and are more susceptible to illness. "Dietary supplements that can reduce stress in horses without altering their normal physiology would be of great benefit to equine health and to the horse industry," she affirms. Francis Field Youth Foundation, Manhatten, received nearly $10,000 toward arena updates, including materials to build 50 horse stalls in the current open-floor barn. Labor will be provided by Foundation volunteers. Francis Field is a 17-acre youth and family oriented show and recreation field in New Lennox, home to all Will County 4-H equine shows, programs and club functions. The Field hosts 10 shows during a typical season, each attracting up to 200 horses. Stall rentals are expected to increase Field revenues sufficient enough to allow additional improvements, such as a new barn roof, covered outdoor arena, lighting, electrical hookups for overnight trailer stays and opening the Field to a wider variety of uses, including therapeutic riding, according to Joe Messina, Foundation president. Coon Creek Ridge Riders Club, Cisne, received $12,500 for materials to improve its Summer Horse Camp site. This is a two-year project. Last year the EPB granted $12,500 for stall construction. The new grant is to build handicapped accessible bathrooms. The majority of the construction will be done by volunteers, as was the stall construction last year, according to directors Rick Rodgers and Jacqueline Lueking. The improvements benefit 1,100 youth and adults participating in equine events at the club each year. CCRR Club also provides volunteer programs to 180 developmentally disabled individuals from 11 group homes at its facility. New Kingdom Trailriders, Moline, which has provided therapeutic horseback riding to physically and mentally challenged children and adults since 1984, received $6,700 for arena fencing adjacent to NKT's new barn at Schone's Friendship Farm in Milan. The Farm is a large boarding facility. The NKT barn and fencing will provide a sheltered area consistent with North American Riding for the Handicapped Association standards for safe operation. University of Illinois Extension, Montgomery County Office, Hillsboro, received $3,100 to produce a series of five equine educational sessions: (1) Horse Ownership 101, (2) Traveling with Your Horse, (3) Around the Ranch, (4) Equine Health Management, and (5) Horse Handling and Emergency Care. Nancy Young director of Extension's office of sponsored programs, estimates that there are nearly 6,500 horses and ponies in the Region (Montgomery, Macoupin, Sangamon, Christian, Shelby, Bond, Fayette and Madison counties) with 1,017 farms involved in the equine industry, according to the 2002 Census of Agriculture. Nearly 300 young people were enrolled in equine-related 4-H programs last year in the Region. McCully Heritage Project (MHP) Equine Trail Improvement Project, Kampsville, was funded with a $3,000 grant to help create maps of the trails, signage along the trails to correspond with the maps, and improve trail routing and surfacing. MHP covers 940 acres and provides 15 miles of trails free and open to the public. In 2007, MHP expanded its parking area and created a second entrance to accommodate horse trailers. By law, EPB funds must go to support equine research, education and promotion in keeping with the enabling legislation's core purpose: "Enhancement of the Illinois equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities. Grants to institutions and individuals will be related to equine research, education and industry enhancements and promotion." Illinois has more than 77,000 horse owners and 213,000 horses, constituting a $3.8 billion industry and providing more than 15,000 fulltime jobs. Any group, individual, company or institution may apply for funding. Preference will be given to projects benefiting the largest number of people/horses. A detailed research application is available (as well as a shorter project application) at www.HorsemensCouncil.org or from the EPB administrative office, 3085 Stevenson Dr., Ste. 308, Springfield, IL 62703, phone (217) 585-1600. For release: Immediate For information: Lois A. Guyon (815) 673-1333 Five Named to Illinois Equine Promotion BoardFive new members have been appointed to the Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board (EPB), according to Lois A. Guyon, chair.
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| About
the Equine Promotion Board The Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board is an Illinois not-for-profit entity, organized to provide research, promotion and education for the equine industry in Illinois. Authorized by the enabling legislation, the Equine Promotion Board collects a voluntary assessment on equine feed purchased in Illinois. Run by a 12-member board of directors, the Equine Promotion is responsible for the collection, monitoring and disbursements of the equine checkoff funds. |
| Mission
Statement - Core Purpose
The core purpose of the Illinois Equine Industry Research and Promotion Board is to enhance the Illinois equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities. Chairman
of the Board Vice
Chairman of the Board Secretary/Treasurer "Horses are our lives in the Dailey family," Kirk says, referring to the Quarter Horses he keeps at home in Ashton, IL, and the 20 to 40 head his father keeps on the 104-acre family farm in Livingston, WI, in addition to standing an AQHA Buckskin stallion and the 16-20 mares he breeds each year. Kirk and his father hold two consignment auctions a year in Livingston, drawing buyers and sellers from all the large horse population states. Board Members Britt L. Douglas, D.V.M, Mary Heepke Jennifer King Lea Ann Koch Lori Nelson David Nobbe Elaine Ramesh Don Shepherd, PhD Max Webel, M.D. The enabling legislation Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Act (PA 93-0135) establishes the structure and provides for a "volunteer" assessment of $2.00 per ton on commercial horse feed that will be dedicated to:
The program requires no State resources, requires no State funding and is not a tax. Rather it is a structure that will enable the horse industry, in a volunteer manner, to self-fund the programs. In the Illinois fiscal environment, it is vital that we act to ensure that equine programs and services remain an ongoing benefit to Illinois citizens and the Illinois economy. Further, the funds collected from the Equine Promotion Board will be returned to the equine industry through self-funded programs, projects and activities -- not funneled to state GRF!
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