The Kentucky Horse Council and the University of Kentucky Equine Initiative recently announced the formation of the Kentucky Equine Networking Association (KENA) and held its inaugural meeting to a capacity crowd on Sept. 16 at Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Ky. More than 140 equine professionals were in attendance.

KENA was established this year as an educational and networking organization for equine professionals in Kentucky, targeted specifically at those who participate in breeding and reproductive services, instruction, training, boarding, and showing.

Ed Squires, MS, PhD, Hon. Dipl. ACT, executive director of the Gluck Equine Research Foundation and director of advancement and industry relations at the Gluck Center, compared the group to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club (KTFMC) and said he believed KENA would give those involved in the pleasure and performance horse industries an opportunity to come together.

“What we’re trying to do is to unite all pleasure and performance horse professionals, who in some ways weren’t connected … and educate them at the same time,” Squires said. Ginny Grulke, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Council, anticipates some crossover attendance from the KTFMC and is appreciative of that organization’s efforts to educate its members and to provide a model for KENA