Wednesday Mini Mag

The Bud Newell Award is presented annually to a KHC member for outstanding service to the Kansas horse industry. With the honoree selected by KHC directors, the award is named and presented in memory of KHC founder Bud Newell. Earlier during the KHC annual meeting, Rodina was the main speaker discussing his diverse horse media enterprises. “My goal is to do everything I can for betterment of horses and their owners,” he emphasized. “There is great opportunity for us to work more closely together with the Kansas Horse Council in our mutual efforts.” An account manager for Purina Mills beginning in 1978, Rodina started the Better Horses newspaper in 1998. “With my lifelong horse interests, the publication served as expansion of my service to my horse clientele,” he explained. With assistance from his wife Connie, Rodina’s Better Horses circulation totals 12,000 copies printed five times a year. “It’s actually widely read hard copy throughout the Midwest and an e-blast goes to more than 15,000 each issue. Readership multiples further with the vast website hits,” he said. “Better Horses is driven by inspirational and entrepreneurial thinking,” Rodina insisted. “It combines integrity, energy and vision through our core publishing and events business.” Popularity of the newspaper soon led to development of a weekly radio program and then a television show. “I retired from Purina seven years ago to dedicate my life to the Better Horses Network,” Rodina said.