Unique career fair unites equine students and the industry

LEXINGTON, Ky. , (Feb 23, 2012) The University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs (formerly Equine Initiative) and the Georgetown College Equine Scholars Program are teaming up once again to host the fourth annual Equine Career Fair March 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. EST in the E.S. Good Barn on the UK campus.

This event provides equine students from area colleges the opportunity to meet prospective employers and to learn about potential volunteer, internship, part-time and full-time employment opportunities. In addition to booths, there will be a keynote speaker and sessions led by industry professionals offering both tips and one-on-one career advice. This event also gives area equine businesses a chance to interact with future equine industry leaders.

"I am really excited to be partnering again with Georgetown College for the fourth annual Equine Career Fair. This event is such a unique opportunity for equine programs across the state to come together and for students and the industry to connect," said Elizabeth LaBonty, lecturer and internship coordinator in the equine science and management undergraduate degree program in the UK College of Agriculture.

The event will open with a welcome from Shannon White, general manager at Fares Farm, and will follow with pizza and a chance to visit local equine business and organization booths. Informational sessions will allow participants explore careers related to pharmaceutical sales, the Thoroughbred industry, breed associations and veterinary medicine. Graduate school opportunities will also be a session topic.

"The equine career fair exposes students to myriad job and internship opportunities available to them here in the Bluegrass. By offering more in-depth information in five different equine career path sessions, the knowledge participants gain will be invaluable," said Sarah Coleman, executive director of the Georgetown College Equine Scholars Program.

Confirmed participants include American Saddlebred Horse Association , Animal and Food Science Graduate Association , Blood-Horse Publications , Bluegrass Conservancy , Central Kentucky Riding For Hope , Darley Flying Start Program , Gluck Equine Research Center , Fasig-Tipton , Hagyard Equine Medical Institute , Hallway Feeds , KBC International Horse Supplies , Kentucky Equine Education Project , Kentucky Equine Higher Education Consortium , Kentucky Equine Management Internship , Kentucky Equine Research , Kentucky Horse Council , Kentucky Horse Park , Kentucky Horseshoeing School , Kentucky Quarter Horse Association , Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club , Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center (KESMARC) , Maker's Mark Secretariat Center , North American Racing Academy , Paso Fino Horse Association , Race for Education , Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital , Three Chimneys Farm , Woodford Equine Hospital , UK Ag Equine Programs and United States Equestrian Federation .

Students and potential employers who would like more information about the Equine Career Fair may contact Elizabeth LaBonty at 859-257-2226 or e-mail equine@uky.edu . For more information about UK Ag Equine Programs and the Georgetown Equine Scholars Program, visit http://www.ag.uky.edu/equine and http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/equinescholars, respectively.

Contact: Elizabeth LaBonty 859-257-2226; Holly Wiemers: 859-257-2226

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