The American Horse Council (AHC) Annual Convention is known for convening the equine industry’s visionaries and leaders in an intimate, informative and innovative discussion on some of the most relevant challenges and initiatives facing the industry. Attendees get to participate in discussions that help shape the industry and optimize existing and emerging legislative and regulatory issues.
The American Horse Council is pleased to announce the tentative program for its June 14-18, 2021, Virtual Conference as follows:
Monday June 14: Federal Legislative & Regulatory Day
10:00 AM – Noon Legislative Updates with invited guests Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) – Industry champion on horse protection issues and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) – Small business and H-2B visa champion, member of the House Hispanic Caucus
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Regulatory Updates
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Health & Regulatory Committee with guests Dr. Angela Pelzel- McCluskey and Dr. Iwona Popkowski
Tuesday June 15: State Day
10:00 AM – Noon State legislative issues with guests Amy Showalter – noted speaker, author and founder of the Showalter Group on grassroots advocacy; State presenters include West Virginia – Maria Catignani, Mary Sell; Iowa – Jon Moss; Florida – Lonny Powell; Michigan – Jean Ligon and Colorado – Scott Dorenkamp.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Coalition of State Horse Council Meeting
Wednesday June 16: Industry Sector Day
10:00 AM – Noon Recreation, Trails & Land Use Committee
Noon – 2:00 PM Show & Competition Committee
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Racing Committee with invited guest Dr. Jerry Black on Horse Integrity & Safety ACT (HISA)
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Working Horse Sector Panel with invited guests Kathy Alm of PATH Intl.; Beth Podhajecki of Carriage Operators of North America; William Crimbring- North America Mounted Unit Commanders
Thursday June 17: Equine Welfare Day
10:00 AM – Noon Equine Welfare Committee
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM United Horse Coalition /Equine Welfare Data Collective with guests Dr. Stacie Boswell; Dr. David Ramey (Ramey Equine); Karen Gustin (Kentucky Equine Adoption Center); Christy Landwehr (Certified Horsemanship Association)
Day 5: Industry Initiatives Day
10:00 AM – Noon Marketing Alliance
Noon – 1:00 PM AWARDS Ceremony
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Youth Engagement Task Force Update
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Diversity Equality and Inclusion Task Force Update
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM 2022 Economic Impact Study Update
Please join the American Horse Council on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Noon ET for the AHC’s Award Ceremony as we honor and recognize industry leaders for their numerous contributions.
- Hickey Award – each year the AHC honors an individual who has been a great supporter of the horse industry and the American Horse Council with the James J. Hickey Jr. Award. The award is presented in honor of the past AHC President, “Jay” Hickey, who served from 1993 to 2016. This year AHC will present this award to Dr. Peter Timoney and recognize his contributions to the American Horse Council and the horse industry in general. Dr. Timoney has worked at the Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dublin, Ireland; Cornell University; and the Irish Equine Centre and has specialized in infectious diseases of the horse since 1972.
- Rolapp Award – each year AHC honors a Member of Congress who has greatly supported the American horse industry with the Rolapp Award. The award is presented in remembrance of the long-time president of the AHC, R. Richard Rolapp. This year AHC will honor Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to recognize her support for the $122 billion equine industry. Her leadership and support of common-sense equine welfare legislation such as the PAST Act, and efforts on trails access legislation on behalf of the industry in the last Congress make the selection this year very easy.
Registration is open through Eventbrite and video conference logistics will be sent to registered participants along with committee meeting agendas and bios for guest speakers.
Contact AHC President at jbroadway@horsecouncil.org for more information.
About the American Horse Council
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day. The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen’s associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.
