Press Release: Amplify Youth Educational Outreach in Full Stride for 2024
LEXINGTON, KY (April 16, 2024) – Amplify Horse Racing, a leading organization dedicated to introducing youth to the Thoroughbred industry through mentorship, education, and career pathways, is proud to announce significant achievements and engagements in the first quarter of 2024.
An Amplify mentor and mentee observe horses in the Keeneland paddock.
Amplify welcomed 16 mentees from nine different states into the spring intake of the Amplify Horse Racing Mentorship Program. The program, open to students of the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories, provides invaluable guidance and support to youth and young adults aspiring to be involved in any sector of the Thoroughbred industry. The application for the fall 2024 intake will open in June.
Actively promoting its youth horse programs nationwide, Amplify attended the National Mentoring Summit in Washington, D.C., in January, connecting with leaders in the mentoring field and exchanging ideas for supporting youth mentorship programs. In March, Amplify presented about horse racing careers to equine program leaders and youth participants from across the nation at the American Youth Horse Council Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Amplify team member Mary-Courtney teaches a student how to ride an equicizer at Inspire Curiosity.
At the community level in Lexington, Kentucky, Amplify engaged over 200 attendees at Everything Equine, an event hosted by the Woodford County Library and Midway University in March. Amplify also sparked curiosity for horse racing through interactive activities and demonstrations for approximately 3,000 students at the Inspire Curiosity 6th grade career fair held by the Fayette County Public Schools in partnership with Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park.
A highlight of the year so far was Amplify Spring Break, an all-day excursion through horse country that coincided with Fayette County Public Schools' spring break. Amplify welcomed 25 students and their guardians on visits to the WinStar Farm Training Center, Hallway Feeds, and Keeneland Opening Day to experience the horse racing industry firsthand. This event was made possible in part by the Seattle Slew Grant from the KEEP Foundation.
Participants at the Amplify Spring Break event.
Looking ahead, Amplify is gearing up for another action-packed weekend. On Friday, Amplify will offer interactive activities for students at Keeneland College Scholarship Day, including an exclusive number of paddock and winner’s circle tours, and a JockeyCam virtual reality simulator experience. Additionally, Amplify will be guiding children in a racetrack science activity during Keeneland Kids Club Family Day.
As Amplify Horse Racing continues to empower and educate the next generation of the Thoroughbred industry, the organization remains committed to fostering inclusivity, a connection to the horse, and collaboration within racing. For more information, visit www.amplifyhorseracing.org.
