The 2010 Kentucky International Equine Summit, a biennial event to be held on Monday and Tuesday, April 26 and 27, in Lexington, Kentucky, and sponsored by the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program in cooperation with the University of Kentucky Equine Initiative, will feature more than 70 speakers and panelists dealing with a range of future challenges facing segments of the international and domestic horse industry.

Dr. Veronique Julliand of AgroSup, Dijon, France, responsible for a French Masters degree in Equine Science and Business, and also Mr. Ashley Ede, Senior Lecturer in Equine Business and Science at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, UK, will provide an international perspective on post-secondary programs of equine education, one of six subject being discussed at the Summit.

The Summit, which will be held at the Hilton Lexington/Downtown, is organized as a six-day conference that takes place over only two days by having three sessions occurring simultaneously with attendees free to move among tracks. The six tracks for the 2010 KIES event are: New Ideas in Equine Media and Technology; Equine Industrial Structures and Strategies; Increasing Globalization of Equine Activities; Equine Association Leadership/Management; Equine Regulatory and Jurisdictional Issues; and Postsecondary Equine Education Programs.

“The aim of the Summit is to bring experts from industry and academia together to discuss the most critical non-political issues in hope that industry leaders – officers, directors and committee members of national or state horse organizations – can use the dialogue to meet those challenges,” says Rich Wilcke, Summit chair, and director of the University of Louisville’s equine program.

John Long, Chair of the World Equestrian Games, and Nick Nicholson, President of Keeneland, will deliver the luncheon keynote speeches. Other prominent panelists include Greg Avioli, President, The Breeder’s Cup; Scott Bennett, President, Alliance Stud; Tom Charters, President, The Hambletonian Society; David Llewellyn, President, Wyvern International; Pete May, President, NBHA; David O’Connor, President, USEF; John Sikura, President, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms; Bernie Uechtritz, President, HorseTV; Alex Waldrop, President, NTRA; and many more from both the equine industry and also from academia.

A complete list of confirmed panelists by subject track follows.

Increasing Globalization of Equine Activities: Moderator, Alan Balch; Panelists, David Avery, American Quarter Horse Association; Greg Avioli, The Breeder’s Cup; Tom Charters, The Hambletonian Society; Case Clay, President Three Chimneys Farm; Rob Hinkle, World Equestrian Games; David Llewellyn, Wyvern International; Pete May, National Barrel Horse Association; Chauncey Morris, Keeneland Association; David O’Connor, United States Equestrian Federation; Dan Pride, Fasig-Tipton, Inc.; and James Wolf USEF Sport Program

Equine Industrial Structures and Strategies: Moderator, Tim Capps; Panelists, Jessica Barnes, Indiana Standardbred Breed Development Program; Scott Bennett DVM, Alliance Stud; Nick Eaves, Woodbine Entertainment; Cam Foreman, Ohio Quarter Horse Association; Robert Kulina, Monmouth Park Racetrack; Mark McDermott, Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association; Chris McErean, Penn National Gaming; Leverne Perry, Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association; Carol Rose, Caro Rose Quarter Horses; John G. Sikura, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms; and Michael Stone, Equestrian Sport Productions. Moderator- Alan Balch,

Equine Association Leadership/Management: Moderator, Norm Luba; Panelists, Remi Bellocq, National HBPA; Peggy Entrekin, US Pony Clubs; David Foley, American Association of Equine Practitioners; Jeff Hooper, National Cutting Horse Association; Lori Rawls, United State Equestrian Federation; Jane Seigler, Maryland Horse Council; Lyle Sussman, University of Louisville; Steve Taylor, Appaloosa Horse Club of America; and Rob Westler, Texas Quarter Horse Association; Remi Bellocq, HBP

Equine Regulatory and Jurisdictional Issues: Moderator, Tom Aronson; Panelists, Dave Basler, Ohio HBPA; Edward S. Bonnie, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission; Will Cummings, Cummings Associates; Hugh Gallagher, Delaware Harness Racing Commission; Rick Goodell, New York State Racing and Wagering Board; Bennett Liebman, Albany Law School; Curtis Linnell, Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau; David Ruffra, United Tote Company; John Veitch, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission; and Alex Waldrop, National Thoroughbred Racing Association;

New Ideas in Equine Media and Technology: Moderator, Dean Hoffman; Panelists, Jason Adams, Sponsorbarn.com; Joe Drape, The New York Times; Paul Gallagher, Burson-Marsteller; Susan Harding, Source Interlink Media; Greg Medley, Equine.com; Ray Paulick, The Paulick Report; Kenny Rice, NBC Sports; Dan Silver, New York Racing Association; Holly Kruse PhD, University of Tulsa; Bernie Uechtritz, HorseTV; and Gary West, Forth Worth Star-Telegram.

Postsecondary Equine Education Programs: Moderator, Bob Coleman; Panelists, Jeff Pendergraft PhD, Sul Ross State University; Jason Bruemmer PhD, Colorado State University; Karin Bump PhD, Cazenovia College; Ashley Ede, Royal Agricultural College, UK; Harold J. Hintz PhD, Cornell University; Veronique Julliand PhD AgroSup Dijon (France); Laurie Lawrence PhD, University of Kentucky; Doug Reed University of Arizona; Ellen Taylor, Harness Horse Youth Foundation; Shannon White, Fares Farm; David Whitaker PhD, Middle Tennessee State University; and Anne Rodiek PhD, California State University Fresno

For more information, including details on the sessions, special registration rates, media credentials, and events in Kentucky before and after the Summit, refer to the website of the Summit at www.kyequinesummit.com.