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ANIMAL COMMUNICATION STORY by Debra Saum His name is Lukas and he's the current holder of the Guinness Book of World Records for the Smartest Horse. His owner and best friend Karen Murdock is a loving and enlightened woman who's devoted her life to teaching a simple yet powerful method of training animals using kindness and affection. When I first learned of Karen and Lukas, I wanted to create a portrait of Lukas as...

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Lukas Gets His Own Remote! World’s Smartest Horse Reaches a Quarter-Million Views on You-Tube Walnut, California --- Lukas, the World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and current Guinness World Record Holder (“Most numbers correctly identified by a horse in one minute: 19”), has exceeded 250,000 You-Tube views in just two years. The popular gelding quickly reached celebrity...

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Lukas’ Knows He’s Lukas: World’s Smartest Horse... Lukas, the World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and Guinness World Record Holder (“Most numbers correctly identified by a horse in one minute: 19”), has joined an elite group: those with the capacity for self-awareness. He has proved that he is able to recognize his own reflection in a mirror as an image of himself. To date, only humans (after the...

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No Wardrobe Malfunction for Lukas! World’s Smartest Horse Reveals Motive for Wearing Costumes Walnut, California --- Lukas, the World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and current Guinness World Record Holder (“Most numbers correctly identified by a horse in one minute: 19”), is also well known for his extensive hat collection. The ex-racer and former rescue, along with his...

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What’s Better Than a Guinness World Record? Another... Playing With Lukas Proposes a Second Test for Lukas, The World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and current Guinness World Record Holder (“Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute: 19”). Lukas, The World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and current Guinness World Record Holder (“Most numbers identified by...

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Oct

10

No Bling for Lukas! World’s Smartest Horse Declines Sixth Sponsorship

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Category : In the Press, Written Words

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Lukas (http://www.playingwithlukas.com), the World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and Guinness World Record Holder (“Most numbers correctly identified by a horse in one minute: 19”), has declined yet another product sponsorship offer. The ex-racer and former rescue has appeared on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, HLN, Inside Edition and Time Warner and countless newspapers and magazines to promote second chances for those in need. Lukas and his best friend Karen Murdock decided to forego association with a particular brand or company because, according to Murdock, “In this way, we are able to focus on Lukas’ message.” Instead, sponsors have been encouraged to contribute to rescues of their choice.

“The Million Hit Horse” has captured the word’s heart according to journalists around the globe. Lukas and Murdock freely share their message of hope and happiness; they donate their time and services to show how wonderful and smart animals are for their improved treatment.

The greatest dreams are always unrealistic. Will Smith

Feb

07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : LUKAS Looks Back on 2010 With Joyous Gratitude

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Category : In the Press

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The World’s Smartest Horse Spreads Christmas Cheer For All Creatures

Lukas, the World’s Smartest Horse (according to the World Records Academy) and Guinness World Record Holder (Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute:  19) has much to be thankful for.  His message of hope and happiness for those in need of a second chance has spread to fifty-five countries, over one million web-site visitors and thousands of You Tube viewers, Facebook and Twitter friends.

January – One million web-site visitors, Horses in the Sun Desert Circuit appearance.

February - Equine Affaire appearance to support the C.T.B.A. and Canter, Facebook Fan Page.

March -  Playing With Lukas book launch, featured in Horsenameographies.

April – Inside Edition clip airs, America’s Family Pet Expo appearance, World Records Academy recognizes Lukas as World’s Smartest Horse, 2010 Equine Vision Award nominee.

May – New web-site launched, updated video series released.

June - Guinness World Record attempt:  “Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute,” Documentary filmed, Lukas appointed to Equine Connection Board of Directors, CTBA web series distributed.

July - Costume Montage released and 100,000 You-Tube channel views.

August - Documentary and second edition Playing With Lukas released.

September - Included in Beloved Horse Book Series, visitors from fifty-one countries visit Lukas’ web-site and over 555,000 references to Lukas on Google.

October – International Certified Horsemanship Association Conference, Playing With Lukas goes to Amazon.

November – Appointed as After The Finish  Line Spokeshorse and Kerrits ambassador, Guinness record approved: “Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute: 19,” Holiday Montage released.

December – Story Time With Lukas video available, Lukas invited to participate in the Wounded Warriors program, Award Certificate from State Assemblyman Curt Hagman, Instructional videos (to promote kind training) released.

State Legislature Award Certificate video: http://bit.ly/PlayingWithLukasCurtHagmanVideo

Wishing you all the happiest holidays ever!

Jan

31

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: World’s Smartest Horse Recognized by World Records Academy

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Category : In the Press

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Former Racetrack Reject Paves Way for Second Chances for All Animals

Lukas, owned and trained by Karen Murdock, continues his goodwill journey to bring awareness and hope to all animals in need.  Murdock and the seventeen year old ex-racer and former rescue are devoted to sharing the happy results of kind training and showing how smart and wonderful animals are for their improved treatment. The World Records Academy has acknowledged Lukas as the World’s Smartest Horse in recognition of his amazing feats, including identifying numbers, letters, and shapes; and discriminating colors and understanding the concepts of object permanence, spatial relationships, same/different, proportion and absentness.

According to the World Records Academy:

“Lukas … has set the record for the smartest horse.  The World’s Smartest Horse ran in three races as a two-year-old and bowed both front tendons.  After leaving the racetrack, he changed hands several times over the following years and ended up neglected and emaciated in a backyard. ’The woman I bought him from saw Lukas while she was driving by and was filled with pity,’ Murdock said. ’He was skin and bones and his tail was basically dried mud. The owners had never owned a horse before and didn’t know how to deal with him.’

“Like many geniuses, animal and human, Lukas…has his quirks.  ‘He definitely has his opinions and he’s definitely sensitive, observant and empathetic,’ Murdock said.  ‘He just has a particular way of being asked to do something before he’ll do it.  Some people become more demanding when they’re not getting results, but when you try to look out for other’s best interests, great things happen.’”

Lukas’ efforts have been entirely donated to benefit those less fortunate. He is the Spokeshorse for After The Finish Line, an organization helping to ensure second careers for racehorses.

For more information about Lukas and his extraordinary achievements, please visit www.PlayingWithLukas.com.

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Contact Information:
Karen Murdock
email: info@playingwithlukas.com
phone: (714) 403-7730

Jan

24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: World’s Smartest Horse Now Holds Official World Record

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Category : In the Press

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Seventeen-year-old thoroughbred gelding Lukas, widely recognized as the world’s smartest horse, now holds the official Guinness World Record title to prove it. Lukas, a former race horse who was rescued by handler Karen Murdock eight years ago, was able to correctly identify 19 numbers in one minute.

To qualify, Lukas had to follow Guinness’ strict guidelines. In part, the organization requires:

  • A qualified veterinary surgeon to be on hand.
  • No equipment – including a harness of any kind – is allowed in the ring.
  • The handler is not allowed to touch or point at the horse.
  • A single, verbal request must be made only by the handler.
  • The horse must clearly indicate his choice from a series of numbers placed 20 centimeters apart on the ground or table.
  • The horse must return to his starting place after each choice is made.
  • Only correct responses are counted.
  • Numbers are spoken at random and may not be consecutive.
  • Two expert witnesses must be on hand.

“I’m very grateful for the help of so many good friends who have helped to bring this about, ” says Murdock. ”We’re fortunate to have had the support of animal lovers all over the world who have sent encouraging messages and given us inspiration. I also want to express my appreciation to Guinness for their acknowledgement of Lukas’ abilities and to Guinness talent manager Louise Ireland for her wonderful assistance.”

On hand for the event were Hadi Khalil, veteran producer at International Production and Advertising, who filmed Lukas’ demonstration; IPA staff photographers and Linda Alexander Walton, who generously donated still pictures; and Lukas’ veterinarian, Dr. Don Scott Vrono, who assisted with overseeing the event. Expert witnesses included Stacey Erb and Kathleen (Tat) Yakutis. After the Finish Line president, Dawn Mellen, was on hand to congratulate Lukas, who dedicated his achievement to ex race horses everywhere.

For more information about Lukas and his extraordinary achievements, please visit www.PlayingWithLukas.com.

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Contact Information:
Karen Murdock
email: info@playingwithlukas.com
phone: (714) 403-773

Jan

17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Book Details the Extraordinary Achievements of One Woman and Her Amazing Horse, Lukas

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Category : In the Press

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Seventeen-year-old thoroughbred gelding Lukas, widely recognized as the world’s smartest horse and holder of the world record for most numbers identified in 60 seconds, in collaboration with his trainer, Karen Murdock, has released the second edition of his hit book, Playing with Lukas.

According to Dressage Today book reviewer Mary Daniels, “Playing With Lukas is the most unique book on training I have yet to see…Author Karen Murdock heads one of her chapters with a quote by Helen Keller…an icon of spiritual strength. ‘Although the world is full of suffering it is full also of the overcoming of it.’  This is what this self-published book really is about – how two beings, who couldn’t find their place in life, finally did through each other.  It’s a wonderful story of the triumph of the spirit.

“Dressage had always appealed to her, and she tried formal training at the start of Lukas’ career, but it did not work out.  So she created her own method, achieving impressive results.  She uses a form of liberty training – no whip but with subtle physical cues – in a non-confrontational way.  Her three primary tools are shaping (light touch), a behavior modification term, a version of clicker training using vocal sounds instead, and positive reinforcement.

“Murdock did it her own way and feels Lukas gave her as much as she gave him. Their journey serves as an example of how far-reaching the healing powers of love and compassion can be.”

Lukas is an off-the-track thoroughbred gelding who reached international acclaim following his YouTube debut in 2009.  His legendary story has spread to fifty-one countries and his media links continue to grow.  Lukas has been profiled on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, HLN and Inside Edition and in feature stories released by the Associated Press and America Online.  His journey has been heard on Pet Talk Live Radio, Pet Life Radio, Pet Place Radio, All Paws Pet Talk Radio, RFD-Radio and Animal Talk Radio.  Lukas was nominated for the 2010 Equine Vision Award sponsored by Pfizer and American Horse Publications and he’s been invited to participate in the Wounded Warriors program.

For more information about Lukas and his accomplishments, please visit www.PlayingWithLukas.com. To schedule an interview, review Playing with Lukas or the accompanying documentary, please contact Karen Murdock via email at info@playingwithlukas.com or by phone at (714) 403-7730.

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Contact Information:
Karen Murdock
email: info@playingwithlukas.com
phone: (714) 403-7730

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