FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2012

Contact:
Anne Burton
Sales Manager, Small-Package Products
Kentucky Equine Research
aburton@ker.com

Kentucky Equine Research Announces Associate Program

Do you love horses?

Do you have an interest in equine nutrition?

Do you have many friends and acquaintances that own horses?

If you answered yes to these questions, Kentucky Equine Research (KER) has a great opportunity for you.

KER is offering horse-savvy individuals with an interest in equine nutrition and a broad network of equine industry contacts the opportunity to become part of its first commission-based sales team.

After training and evaluation, individuals selected into the KER Associate Program will become certified nutrition advisors with the primary goals of providing sound nutrition advice and offering KER product recommendations to horse owners, trainers, and other industry professionals.

"The KER Associate Program is an incredible opportunity for motivated horsemen that believe in research-based nutrition and supplementation," said Anne Burton, sales manager for the company's KERx Special Needs Nutrition line of nutrition and wellness products. "KER has an incredible lineup of nutritional supplements, all of which are designed to target specific problems in horses."

The KER Associate Program is set to begin spring 2012.

To learn more about this opportunity or to apply online, visit www.ker.com/Associate.

Kentucky Equine Research is an international equine nutrition and exercise physiology research, consultation, and product development company. By providing a variety of products and services to horse owners, equine industry professionals, veterinarians, and the feed industry, KER strives to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses of all ages. For more information, go to www.ker.com.

For more information about Kentucky Equine Research, contact Anne Burton at ABurton@ker.com or call 859-873-1988.

John Crandell III, a legend of American endurance riding sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER), qualified to represent the United States at the Pan American Endurance Championship. The ride will take place October 22 near Santo Domingo, Chile.

Crandell will ride Heraldic, on whom he won the Tevis Cup in 2010 and 2006, as well as the 120-km OCTRA Spring Ride and 160-km FITS in 2011. See more of their successes.

Heraldic trains and competes on KER products, including:

• EquiShure, a time-released hindgut buffer;
• RiteTrac to support total digestive tract health;
• Nano∙E, a nanodispersed, natural source of vitamin E.

Other KER products that Crandell utilizes in his training program are:

• Hemabuild, trace minerals and vitamin B;
• Preserve, vitamin E and selenium;
• I.R. Pellet, concentrated, low-calorie, low-starch source of vitamins and trace minerals;
• Synovate HA, a safe, easily absorbed, and easy-to-use form of sodium hyaluronate.

For training updates, follow Heraldic on Facebook.

Out of nearly 1,600 entries, the lucky grand prize winner of Kentucky Equine Research's recent drawing for a rider's slot at the 2011 O'Connor Equestrian Camp was Melissa Fox of Leesburg, Va.

Fox will attend the camp, which will be held June 26-July 1 at the Virginia Horse Center, with her Thoroughbred gelding, Diamond Legacy. Fox is an HA-rated member of the U.S. Pony Club and competes at the Preliminary level. She is planning to move up to Intermediate level and compete in a classic CCI* with steeplechase this fall.

The second-place winner, who will receive $250 in his choice of KER products as well as a prize pack, was Barry Sheinbaum of Nuevo, Calif. Sheinbaum is a dressage rider and trainer who specializes in Norwegian Fjord horses.

"I am very careful about my horses' diets, and appreciate that KER offers a variety of supplements that can help my horses lead sound, happy lives," Sheinbaum said. "I am especially pleased to have won the nutritional consultation so I can assess my feeding program."

The third-place winner, recipient of a prize pack and $150 in KER supplements, was Karen Tankersley of Twin Tree Farm in Pendleton, SC. Tankersley evented through the Intermediate level and works in the Research Farms Division of Clemson University.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company serving both the horse producer and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. Subscribe to KER newsletters and follow the company on Facebook for news and upcoming contests.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) earned top honors for its two electronic newsletters at the 2011 American Horse Publications Annual Awards Competition.

Equine Health Review, a monthly compendium of health information and news, earned first-place honors, while The Weekly Feed,which focuses on equine nutrition topics, was awarded second place.

"Kentucky Equine Research has worked diligently to create and launch these information-packed electronic newsletters, and we are proud to receive this kind of recognition for our efforts," said Kimberly S. Brown, global marketing manager for KER.

"But what really makes us proud is how well these newsletters have been received by the industry," she continued. "Readership is growing by leaps and bounds not only because the newsletters are attractive and easy to use, but because the content is what horse owners want and need."

Equinews, the nutrition and health quarterly of KER, earned second place in cover design among those magazines with a circulation between 10,000 and 20,000. Designed by Lynsay Harris, the cover featured a photograph by Michael Modecki.

KER's award-winning electronic newsletters are available free to the public at www.Equinews.com/newslettters.

Bio-Bloom, a dual-action supplement designed to promote and maintain healthy skin, coat, and hoof condition from the inside out, has brought out the shine for Georgia Bruce, a two-time Paralympic bronze medalist in dressage sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Georgia Bruce and Rhumba demonstrating clicker training.

"My horses now have the most amazing, soft, and shiny coats. People always ask me what shampoo I use on them. I tell them it's not the shampoo; it's the Bio-Bloom," Bruce said.

Bio-Bloom contains biotin, methionine, and chelated zinc at levels shown to be beneficial for hoof growth, development of strong hoof wall and a soft shiny coat.

"My farrier has also noticed the vast improvement in their feet," Bruce said. "Before I found Bio-Bloom I tried nearly every other hoof and coat product available, but nothing compares to the results I get from Bio-Bloom. 

"My horses are regularly on public display with competitions, trick shows, and clicker-training demonstrations. It is a relief for me to know that they will always be looking their best."

Learn more about Bio-Bloom.

Want to ride with Olympic three-day eventers David and Karen O'Connor? Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is proud to offer one grand prize winner a rider's slot at the 2011 O'Connor Equestrian Camp, to be held at the Virginia Horse Center June 26-July 1. Enter the contest.

The grand prize winner will take his or her own horse to camp to learn:

• O'Connor safety system for cross-country
• Horsemanship and stable management skills
• Professional show-grooming techniques
• O'Connor "horses-first" training methods
• Secrets of dressage
• Fundamentals of show jumping
• Keys to success in cross-country

In addition to the grand prize winner, second- and third-place winners will be drawn. The second-place winner will receive $250 in KER nutritional supplements, and the third-place winner will receive $150 in products. All winners will get an additional prize package that includes a nutrition consultation for one horse, an embroidered saddle pad, and a hat.

To enter the contest, just sign up for KER's award-winning free weekly newsletters, The Weekly Feed and Equine Health Review. Already a subscriber? Just select the newsletter you already receive. Enter the contest.

The winners will be selected June 15, 2011, and will be notified by e-mail. See official contest rules here.

The camp is targeted toward riders at the equivalent of Beginner Novice through Advanced, but it is not limited to eventers; equestrians from all other disciplines are welcome. Campers must be at least 12 years of age; those under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the entire camp. See more frequently asked questions about O'Connor Event Camp.

Stabling for one horse is included in the entry. The winner is responsible for all transportation to and from the event, as well as lodging and horse care during the event.

David and Karen O'Connor have long been associated with KER, an international equine nutrition, research, and consultation company that serves both the horse owner and the feed industry. Its goal is to advance the industry's knowledge of equine nutrition and exercise physiology, and apply this knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. Learn more about KER at ker.com.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is teaming up with the promoters of the inaugural Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup to give 20 pairs of tickets to lucky fans to attend the April 29-30 CRI5* reining event, or the first-ever World Championship Reining Freestyle competition.

Visit KER's Facebook page for instructions on how to enter.

The Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in the evenings during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. It will feature the world's best reining competitors, including the four members of the winning team from last year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The World Championship Freestyle marks the first time that the title of "world champion" will be awarded in freestyle reining, a consistent crowd favorite. The event's $25,000 prize money also marks the largest purse for a reining freestyle anywhere in the world.

"In 2010, the world turned its attention to the Kentucky Horse Park for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games," said Christina Gray, director of competition for the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event. "We are ready for that attention again as we welcome back riders who participated in the Games as well as an impressive roster of Olympians, past champions, and legends in the sports of reining and three-day eventing."

Buy tickets now. Tickets for both nights are open seating, so buy your tickets soon and plan to arrive early!

For more information about the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup visit www.kentuckyreining.com. For more information about Kentucky Equine Research visit www.ker.com or www.Equinews.com.

Kentucky Equine Research (KER) is the naming-rights sponsor for the 2011 Kentucky Equine Research HRCAV Top Teams Horse Trials.

This prestigious annual event, put on by the Horse Riding Clubs Association of Victoria, will be held at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre on 30 and 31 July. It will be hosted by the Wandin Park Riding Club. Further information on the event.

The event attracts over 400 competitors from around Victoria and bordering states. KER will have a trade stand for the weekend and will be involved in the prize-giving ceremonies and many other activities. Winners and placegetters at the event will receive prize packages that could include inscribed rugs, sashes, trophies, and KER supplements. The feature of each prize pack is a one-on-one consultation with a KER equine nutritionist, who will perform a diet analysis for the prize winner's horse. The winner will then receive KER products to suit his or her horse's individual needs. 

Joe Pagan, Ph.D., founder and president of Kentucky Equine Research (KER), authored a chapter in the new book Equine Welfare.

Pagan's chapter, Nutritional Management of the Horse, offers an authoritative explanation of equine digestion and dietary requirements, as well as general rules of feeding management for different classes of horses.

The text was edited by C. Wayne McIlwraith, B.V.Sc., Ph.D., and Bernard E. Rollin, Ph.D.

Veterinarians, officials, and competitors involved in the sport of endurance will have an opportunity to learn from some of the sport's top authorities at the upcoming Australasian Endurance Conference and Forum, to take place in Bardon, Queensland, in June. The event will be the first of its kind to be held outside of Europe.

Peter Huntington, B.V.Sc. (Hons), M.A.C.V.Sc., Australian director of nutrition for Kentucky Equine Research (KER), will speak on advances in the nutrition of the endurance horse. Additionally, KER-sponsored rider Meg Wade, one of Australia's most experienced riders, will take part in a discussion on the risk of injury from horse activities.

Other topics include training of endurance horses; the role of the team veterinarian and officials; medication control; metabolic and orthopaedic diseases; lameness in competition horses; new therapies, and the future of international competition in Australasia.

Read more about the conference.