Gotland ponies

The next Kentucky Life features a high-tech scavenger hunt, a 14-year-old master fiddler-in-training and a herd of majestic Gotland ponies. The program, hosted by Dave Shuffett, airs Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8/7 p.m. CT on KET1; Sunday, Jan. 18 at 4:30/3:30 p.m. CT on KET1; and Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7/6 p.m. CT on KET2.

First, Dave tries the modern sport of geocaching, in which enthusiasts use global positioning systems and their wits to find items hidden by other participants. The coordinates of the hidden items, or caches, are posted on the internet, and the game is afoot. There are currently more than 2,000 caches in Kentucky alone. Dave and geocaching enthusiast Craig Rouse scour Fayette County to find a few of the hidden trinkets.

Next, Kentucky Life travels to Pulaski County to meet Rossi Clark, a teenage fiddler who is learning to keep traditional mountain music alive. Musicians Betty Vornbrock and John Harrod and musical archivist Nancy McClellan talk about Clark's potential, while the young musician discusses the importance of passing along Kentucky's musical heritage. Clark, who began fiddling at age four, performs a couple of her favorite songs.

Then, the program visits Harrison County's Kokovoko Breeding Farm, where owner Leslie Bebensee introduces her herd of Gotland ponies -- a Swedish breed considered to be "at risk" by the Equus Survival Trust. Bebensee gives the history of the ancient breed and reveals how they ended up in Kentucky. She also discusses the intelligence, versatility, anatomy and gentle disposition of the ponies.

Kentucky Life is a KET production, produced by Brandon Wickey. Segment producers are Jim Piston, Charlie Bissel, Tom Thurman and Valerie Trimble. More information about Kentucky Life, including streaming video, is available at www.ket.org/kentuckylife.