In 2020, American Horse Publications (AHP) celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Founded in 1970, AHP is a membership association for equine media professionals and related businesses.
The AHP 50th Anniversary blog will take you back in time to the developmental years of the association and the people and events that have brought the association from print publications to multi-media-platform publishing for the horse industry.
The posts will also encourage you to attend the 2020 AHP Equine Media Conference in Lexington, Kentucky on May 28-30 where the AHP family will gather to learn, network and celebrate its anniversary.
If you think no one will be discussing college basketball in May when AHP meets in Lexington for its 50th anniversary conference, let me tell you a true story says AHP member and UK grad, Tracy Gantz, who wrote this article for the AHP 50th Anniversary blog.
Twenty-one years ago, Whitney Allen moved to Lexington, KY with the plan to stay for two years and then high tail it back to her hometown in Pennsylvania. As she crossed the state line into Kentucky, she was filled with the sense that this is where she was supposed to be. She thought the feeling would pass. It didn’t.
I have lived in Lexington, Kentucky since 1980, so when asked the question what my favorite place in Lexington is, you would think I would know immediately. However, I truly had to think about it, but I kept coming back to the same answer, The Kentucky Horse Park.
Many special moments happen during the annual AHP Equine Media Conference, especially when it comes time to honor those in the equine media industry, and also the horse industry as a whole, with special awards. When those times come, don’t hesitate to cheer on both new and old friends during one of the many awards ceremonies at the conference.
Is anything a more iconic vision of Central Kentucky horse country than Keeneland? As a horse racing fan ever since I can remember, I have always loved Keeneland, one of my favorite places in Lexington.
Tony Chamblin served two terms as president of American Horse Publications from 1974-1976 and then became AHP’s first Executive Director, a position he held from 1976 to 1983. “Tony was there during AHP’s formative years,” says current Executive Director, Chris Brune. “He has been extremely supportive and follows the progress of the association via social media and email. I was honored to present him with the AHP Champion Award in 2008.” We asked him a few questions about his thoughts on AHP becoming 50 years old and what he has experienced throughout the years. He gives us his insight on the changes in publishing and the horse industry.