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.

03-14-11