Released Oct. 11, 2007
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The new Kansas State University Equine Education Center is about to become a reality. K-State will host a formal groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. for the first phase of the center.
To be built with private funds, the equine center will be located on the northeast side of K-State´s Manhattan campus.
"We are thrilled that this is coming together," said Fred Cholick, dean of K-State´s College of Agriculture. "We´ve had growing demand to expand the equine program, and with the state-of-the art facility that we have planned, we will be able to accommodate that demand."
Ken Odde, head of K-State´s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, cited the number of students in recent years who have enrolled in horse-related classes. They totaled 540 in 2006. That was more than double the 196 tally in 2004 and the 175 in 2001.
With the help of generous donors - both alumni and interested horse enthusiasts - K-State plans to build the equine education center in two phases, Odde said.
Phase I will include two buildings. One will house a large indoor arena named for R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard. The other will include a smaller indoor arena, horse stalls, classrooms and a space for K- State´s National Collegiate Athletic Association Equestrian Team.
The second phase will include a building with more stalls, a facility to serve as home for the KSU Rodeo Team, and space for a potential equine therapy program. Talks are underway with horse industry officials in the region about a collaborative effort for the second phase that would benefit the state, the community and the university.
A 2005 study, conducted by Deloitte Consulting LLP for the American Horse Council, found that more than 9.2 million horses were in the United States, with the equine industry contributing $38.8 billion directly in goods and services to the U.S. economy. The industry had a total impact of $101.5 billion on the U.S. gross domestic product.
"The horse industry also has a significant impact on the Kansas economy," Cholick said.
According to Kansas Horse Council data from 1996, Kansas had an equine population of 103,000 with an estimated value of $183 million.
"Preparing our students to work in this industry is a key reason for this new endeavor," Odde said.
The university currently offers an Equine Science Certification Program, designed to give students with horse experience a chance to further enhance their knowledge in equine science. K-State plans also to develop a certification program in equine-assisted human development and rehabilitation.
In addition to serving students studying various aspects of equine science, the new center will be a practice and competition site for K- State´s Equestrian Team, Horse Judging Team, KSU Rodeo Club, K-State Rodeo Team and Horseman´s Association.
The KSU Rodeo alone draws 10,000 people to Manhattan every year, Odde said.
Information about the Oct. 27 groundbreaking ceremony or about donating to the K-State Equine Education Center is available by contacting Ken Odde at 785-532-1227 (kenodde@ksu.edu) or Aaron Hund of the KSU Foundation at 785-532-7528 (aaronh@found.ksu.edu).
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/
Contacts: Ken Odde, (785) 532-6533
Aaron Hund, (785) 532-7528
Mary Lou Peter-Blecha, mlpeter@ksu.edu
