American Horse Council Press Release

Contact: American Horse Council
bharrison@horsecouncil.org

AHC Urges Land Managers to use Stimulus Funding for Equestrian Trails

The American Horse Council has asked the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to use stimulus funding for trails.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed into law on February 17 appropriates over $1.7 billion for the NPS, USFS, and BLM that can be used for the maintenance and construction of trails and other infrastructure improvements on public lands.  

The AHC recently wrote to NPS Acting Director Dan Wenk, Chief of USFS GailKimbell, and BLM Acting Director Mike Pool urging the agencies to allocate a significant portion of stimulus funding to address the current backlog of needed infrastructure improvements on public lands, including maintenance and construction of trails and other facilities that are open to equestrians.

The AHC cited the importance of public lands and trails to recreational riders around the country and the economic impact of the recreational riding community on the national economy. “The recreational horse industry contributes $11.8 billion a year directly to the economy and directly employs nearly 130,000 people nationwide.  Indirectly the industry contributes an additional $20.1 billion and generates another 307, 000 jobs.  That is significant and extremely important in these economic times,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.

The NPS, USFS, and BLM have yet to finalize spending plans for this recently appropriated money.  “An opportunity exists for equestrian groups to provide input to land managers in their states and communities on how this money should be spent,” said AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass, “and recreational riders must work with these federal agencies to ensure that equestrian trails are among the projects to benefit from these funds.”

The AHC encourages members of the equestrian community who use these public lands to contact their local Ranger Districts, Forest Supervisors, BLM field or District offices and NPS Superintendents to work with them to identify projects beneficial to riders in their area.  “This is a great chance to improve trails for equestrians and stimulate the economy,” said Hickey.

The American Horse Council is pleased to announce that Mr. Cam Foreman has been appointed as Chairman of their Horse Show Committee.  AHC’s Horse Show Committee covers all breeds and disciplines to have an impact on legislation pertaining to horse shows and horse show related activities. 

Mr. Foreman is currently the Executive Director of Shows and Regional Services for the American Quarter Horse Association.  He oversees the shows, amateur, professional horsemen, international, drug testing, and regional services departments of AQHA.  He also serves as General Manager of the AQHA World Championship Show, Ford AQHYA World Championship Show, and the AQHA Bayer Select World Championship Show.  About their new chairman, AHC President Jay Hickey says, “We are very fortunate to have Mr. Foreman as the new Chairman of our Horse Show Committee.  With his extensive background in horse shows, he is sure to be a valuable addition to an already accomplished group of horsemen and women.”

The Horse Show Committee is an integral part of the AHC’s efforts to work directly with people involved in the horse industry.  The other committees that currently meet for the AHC are the Animal Welfare Committee, the Government Affairs Advisory Council, the Health and Regulatory Committee, the Racing Advisory Committee, the Recreation Committee, and the State Horse Council Committee.  As a whole, these committees collaborate with the AHC to pursue legislation that is in the best interest of the horse industry. 

For more information on the work that the American Horse Council does, please visit their website at www.horsecouncil.org.

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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.