The American Horse Council is pleased to announce the tentative program for the October 26-28, 2020, Virtual Conference. The agenda is as follows:

Monday October 26 – Free and open to anyone to listen in – registration required

11:00 AM ET Recreation Trails & Land Use Committee

1:00 PM ET Racing Advisory Committee

3:00 PM ET Health & Regulatory Committee

5:00 PM ET Equine Welfare Committee

7:00 PM ET Marketing Alliance – Time to Ride Program Update

Tuesday October 27 – Free and open to anyone to listen in – registration required

11:00 AM ET Shows & Competition Committee

1:00 PM ET United Horse Coalition & Equine Welfare Data Collective

Guest Speakers: Retired Racehorse Project – Jen Roytz
Heart of Phoenix/Appalachian Trainer Face Off -Tinia Creamer

Wednesday October 28 – Paid registration required

11:00 AM ET Legislative Update & Overview of AHC Initiatives

1:00 PM ET Guest Speaker – Crisis Management – Davis Fuscus of Xenophon Strategies

2:00 PM ET Guest Speakers – Dude Ranch Association members on outdoor riding destinations – Russell True of the White Stallion Ranch and Cheri Amos-Helmicki of the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch

3:00 PM ET Guest Speaker – Dr. Victoria Lac of the Herd Institute

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

5:00 PM ET Awards Cocktail Party honoring Rolapp, Hickey and Van Ness Award Winners

The AHC is known for convening the equine industry’s visionaries and leaders in an intimate three days of 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.

Registration will open on or around September 1, 2020, and video conference logistics will be sent to registered participants along with committee meeting agendas and bios for guest speakers.

AHC will hold its 2021 meeting on June 6-9 at The Le Meridien in downtown Denver, Colorado.

Contact AHC President at jbroadway@horsecouncil.org for more information.

AHC Award Winners

Please join the American Horse Council on Wednesday, October 28, at 5:00 PM ET for the AHC’s Award Reception, which will be held virtually as we honor and recognize industry leaders for their numerous contributions.

• Van Ness Award  This award was named in honor of the late Marjorie Van Ness of New Jersey, a long-time leader and friend to the horse industry. This award is presented to an individual that best emulates the dedication and commitment of Marjorie Van Ness to the improvement of the horse industry at the state level. Without a doubt Fred Sarver of Carlisle, Kentucky, has shown dedication and commitment to the horse industry in Kentucky and Virginia that mirrors the noble example set by Marjorie Van Ness.

• 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 G. Marvin Beeman, DVM, of Littleton, Colorado, to recognize his contributions to the American Horse Council and the horse industry in general over a 63-year veterinary career, which epitomizes the spirit of this award.

• Rolapp Award  Each year the 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 Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) to recognize his support for the $122-billion equine industry. His 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 for the AHC Conference and/or the Awards Reception opens September 1, 2020. Contact info@horsecouncil.org for more information or go to www.horsecouncil.org.

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.