The 2025 Kentucky Equine Education Project Day at the state Capitol annex focused on relationship-building rather than major legislative issues for the horse industry in Kentucky. Around 100 industry-connected individuals met with lawmakers to introduce themselves and emphasize the importance of the state’s signature industry, which supports around 60,000 jobs and has an annual economic impact of $6.5 billion.
KEEP has successfully advocated for legislation in the past, such as protecting historical horse racing pari-mutuel games and banning “gray games” in Kentucky. The industry is now facing challenges in California and Florida, with Kentucky Speaker of the House David Osborne emphasizing the importance of staying engaged with lawmakers to avoid pitfalls and ensure continued success for the state’s horses.
Lawmakers at the event discussed a bill that will “clean up” details in legislation transforming the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. They also highlighted the need for ongoing communication with legislators to address issues before they become crises. The event aimed to strengthen relationships between the horse industry and lawmakers to ensure continued support and success for Kentucky’s horses.
