Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed an emergency regulation to implement the Kentucky Horse Breeders’ Incentive Fund, which will encourage and support excellence in non-race breeds in the Commonwealth.
 
The fund was one of three created as a part of Governor Fletcher’s “Jobs for Kentucky” initiative to aid in development of horse breeding and to secure Kentucky’s standing as the industry leader. Other funds created as part of Jobs for Kentucky–the Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders’ Incentive Fund and the Kentucky Standardbred Breeders’ Incentive Fund–were implemented earlier.

“Kentucky is synonymous with equine excellence, and the horse industry is indeed our signature industry,” Gov. Fletcher said. “We face aggressive competition from other states that have also instituted breeder incentive programs, but we are determined to remain the ‘Horse Capital of the World.’ “

The regulation was filed as an emergency regulation so breeders and owners of non-race horse breeds could receive awards for 2006. The fund will distribute awards annually, and the awards given in 2007 will be based on the performance of the horses in events that took place since January 2006.

“The American Quarter Horse Association salutes the Kentucky Legislature and the KHRA for their wisdom and foresight in fashioning an incentive program designed to maximize economic development within the Kentucky horse industry,” said Bill Brewer, executive vice president of the American Quarter Horse Association