About KEEP
Bill Casner

Bill Casner,
Winstar Farm

Bill Casner grew up in El Paso, Texas and developed a love of the horse at an early age. Upon graduation from college, Casner embarked on a race training career in the midwest. In 1979, Casner left the Thoroughbred industry. With his partner Kenny Troutt, the two founded Excel Communications. Casner also owns B& R Equipment, which sells and leases heavy, earth-moving equipment. Casner re-entered the Thoroughbred industry in the mid 1990’s through various racing partnerships. In early 2000 he and Mr. Troutt came full circle and formed another partnership establishing WinStar Farm in Versailles, KY. Mr. Casner is currently vice chairman and co-founder of the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP), and he serves on the board of trustees for the Thoroughbred Owner Breeders Association and Breeders' Cup. In addition, he was a founding board member for The Race For Education Inc., a national scholarship foundation that provides educational opportunities to children of racing’s backside workers and farm workers.

Our Mission

To increase awareness of the benefits of Kentucky's horse economy and to promote jobs and economic opportunities for Kentuckians through the Commonwealth's world-class horse industry.

Goals

Educate the public and key state constituencies about the benefits the entire horse industry provides to all sectors of Kentucky's economy

  • Develop a state grassroots network involving Kentucky's horse economy in all 120 counties
  • Build a state coalition of diverse organizations supporting Kentucky's horse economy.

Encourage the development of a pro-jobs and economic opportunities agenda for the Kentucky horse economy to include:

  • Increased state advocacy and promotion of the Kentucky horse industry
  • Initiatives to stimulate jobs and economic growth through economic incentives and tax reform to solidify Kentucky's horse economy leadership to attract new horse industry interests to the state.
  • Expansion of existing state horse economy programs for all breeds such as the Kentucky Breeder's Incentive Program, to encourage ownership of Kentucky-bred horses
Key Initiatives
  • Distribution of fact-based Kentucky horse economy information.
  • Team 120: A broad-based grassroots network of horse economy participants in every Kentucky county.
  • A state advisory committee consisting of prominent horse industry representatives from all sectors of Kentucky's horse economy.
  • A state coalition of organizations with horse economy-related interests including state and local chambers of commerce, rotaries, businesses, labor and trade associations.
Charter Member Organizations

Chairman

Brereton Jones
Governor of Kentucky (1991-95)
Airdrie Stud

Vice-Chairman

Bill Casner
Chairman and Co-Founder
WinStar Farm

Copyright © 2007 Kentucky Equine Education Project [KEEP] All Rights reserved