2019 ANNUAL REPORT PRESIDENT’S LETTER It Continues to Be a Wonderful Privilege to Serve This Great Organization and the Equine Industry
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AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 2019 ANNUAL REPORT PRESIDENT’S LETTER It continues to be a wonderful privilege to serve this great organization and the equine industry. I’m grateful every day that I get to combine my avoca- tion and vocation! The enclosed report provides an overview of our accomplishments in 2019 and progress in selected key areas. In addition, the report provides an up- date on the status of our financials. We continue to be impressed with the bright minds we’ve been fortunate to host through our internship program. They contributed to some great re- search, and produced some outstanding white papers for our use. Our committees continue to stay abreast of issues, legislation and policies that impact the industry, your work and livelihoods. We’ve hosted some great meetings, work groups, task forces and webinars meant to educate our members and the industry on current topics. On behalf of myself, the staff, the board and all our 100+ volunteers we thank you for your membership and support of the American Horse Council, Foundation and all our programs. Sincerely, Julie M. Broadway Julie M. Broadway, CAE President Observations from Chairman The equine industry continues to play a significant role in our national economy. Every day, decisions are made in Washington, D.C., that affect all horses and all equine-related businesses, and the American Horse Council is committed to working on Capitol Hill to advo- cate for the equine industry’s best interests. Your support is needed and appreciated now more than ever. On behalf of our organization, I thank you for your continued support that enables us to work on your be- half. Thank you. Sincerely, Jim Gagliano Jim Gagliano AHC Board Chair BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIR SECRETARY TREASURER BOARD MEMBER Marilyn Breuer- James Gagliano Chrystine Tauber Craig Huffhines Matt Iuliano Bertera United States American Quarter United States The Jockey Club The Jockey Club Equestrian Horse Association Trotting Association Federation BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER Dr. Tom Lenz Don Marean Dr.Richard Mitchell Dr.Glenn Blodgett Alex Waldrop American Asso- United States United States American Quarter National Thor- ciation of Equine Trotting Association Equestrian Horse Association oughbred Racing Practitioners Federation Association AT LARGE-BOARD AT LARGE-BOARD BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER MEMBER MEMBER Russell Williams Joe Wilson Dr.Eleanor Green Dr.David Foley Billy Smith Jean Ligon United States Trot- Thoroughbred Rac- American Quarter American Asso- American Paint Coalition of State ting Association ing Association of Horse Association ciation of Equine Horse Association Horse Councils North American Practitioners 4 AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2019 AHC STAFF AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES AHC STAFF DIRECTOR DIRECTOR PRESIDENT POLICY & LEGISLATIVE HEALTH & REGULATORY Julie Broadway AFFAIRS AFFAIRS Bryan Brendle Cliff Williamson AHC ADVISORY COMMITTEES Health & Regulatory: Equine Welfare: Racing: Dr.Richard Mitchell, Chair Dr.Tom Lenz, Chair Alex Waldrop, Chairman Dr.Craig Barnett Kathy Alm Kathleen Anderson Dr.Duane Barnett Alece Ellis Moira Fanning Dr.Jerry Black Dr.Jerry Black David Foley Dr.Keith Kleine Lee Sackett Alan Foreman Joseph Santarelli Alison Umberger Eric Hamelback Scott Dorenkamp Beth Podhajecki Janet VanBebber Ward Stutz Ward Stutz Matt Iuliano Dr.Peter Timoney Chuck Smith Tom Luchento Jill Wagner Dr.Steve Schumacher Edward Martin Dr.Nat White Scott Dorenkamp Dan Metzger Dr.Scarlette Gotwals David Pruett Chauncey Morris Dr.Susan Tuller Dr.Emily Weiss Lonny Powell Dr.Janet Patterson Kane Dr.Nick Kohut David Richardson Dr.Paul Lunn Robert Puetz Hank Zeitlein Dr.Linda Mittel David Foley Mike Tanner Dr.Katie Flynn Gary Carpenter Bill Thomason Joe Wilson Competitions: Recreation, Trails & Land Use: Katy Ross Glenn Blodgett Chrystine Tauber, Chair Craig Huffhines, Chair Gary Carpenter Randy Rasmussen Darrell Bilke Monica Champman Tommy Hall Holley Groshek Stephan Hienzsch Dee Dee Miller Sale Peter Kyle Gwen Wills Rob Burke Harold Palmer Bud Wills Billy Smith Glenn Petty Bill Moroney AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2019 5 AHC PROGRAM MANAGERS TIME TO RIDE UNITED HORSE EQUINE WELFARE DATA COLLECTIVE Molly O’Brien COALITION Ashley Harkins Emily Stearns MARKETING ALLIANCE UHC COMMITTEE EWDC STEERING COMMITTEE: MEMBERS: COMMITTEE: Dave Andrick EXECUTIVE VISIBILITY AND Julie Broadway Jenny Beverage COMMITTEE: COMMUNICATIONS: Christie Schulte Kappert Julie Broadway Kristin Werner, Chair Shannon Luce Emily Weiss David Foley Christie Shulte Kappert Gary Carpenter Keith Kleine Dr. Clara Mason Steve Koch Mark Coley Ward Stutz Katy Ross David Foley Dr. Emily Weiss Jen Roytz Mark Herthel Craig Huffhines PROGRAMS AND MEMBERSHIP AND Jamie Kinnear EDUACTION: FUNDING: Melissa Kitchen Dave Andrick Christie Shulte Kappert Christy Landwehr Glenn Blodgett Vicki Lowell Karen Gustin Eric Hamelback Stuart Meikle Ellen Harvey Jessica Normand Melissa Kitchen Billy Smith Shannon Luce Patty Tiberg Glenn Petty Theresa Woods Billy Smith *Ward Stutz Tracy Turner 6 AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2019 POLICY & LEGISLATIVE 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY (EAT) VICTORY! For the third year in a row, successfully advocated for dedicated funds for Equine Assist- ed Activities and Therapies (EAAT) for veterans, a measure championed by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), in the amount of $1.5 million, within the FY2020 Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) spending bill. Also, advocated for final passage of theWhole Veteran Act (H.R. 2359), authorizing a study analyzing the effectiveness of various treatments for veterans, including equine assisted therapy. The bill passed the House in 2019 and is awaiting consideration in the Senate. PREVENT ALL SORING TACTICS (PAST) ACT VICTORY! Advocated for historic passage of the Prevent All Soring Tactics (PAST) Act (H.R. 693) in the House of Representatives by a vote of 333 to 96. The senate version, S. 1007, gains momentum, where it has more than 50 co-sponsors. LAND CONSERVATION VICTORY! Successfully advocated for permanent reauthorization for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, increas- ing resources for conservation projects and easements that promote riding. Continued advocacy for “Re- store Our Parks Act” (H.R. 1224/S. 500), addressing backlog trails maintenance. PUBLISHED! 2019 TAX HANDBOOK 2019 HORSE INDUSTRY TAX HANDBOOK Finalized the 2019 Horse Industry Tax Handbook: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a reference tool outlining major changes resulting from tax reform legislation Current through June 2019 Copyright 2019 by American Horse Council All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form. impacting the equine sector. AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL 1616 H Street NW, 7th Floor Washington, DC, 20006 GUEST WORKER VISAS Successfully advocated for guest worker visa “cap” flexibility for FY2020, authorizing a two-fold increase of H-2B guest worker visas allowed by federal law. Expanded eligibility for horse industry in H.R. 6083, H-2A visa reform legislation drafted by Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL). Met with White House officials, submitted com- ments to Department of Labor advocating for a streamlined H-2A guest worker visa application process, clarifying eligibility of equine workers. UNRELATED BUSINESS THREE-YEAR DEPRECIATION INCOME TAX (UBIT) FOR RACE HORSES VICTORY! VICTORY! Successfully advocated for repeal of the Unrelat- Successfully extended an expired three-year depre- ed Business Income Tax (UBIT) burdens imposed ciation incentive for racehorses through 2020 within on non-profits within 2019 tax legislation. 2019 tax legislation. AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2019 7 HEALTH & REGULATORY 2019 YEAR IN REVIEW USDA Import and Export Regs Public Space Access AHC staff engaged with USDA staff and leadership AHC staff were approached in 2019 with multiple throughout the year on behalf of stakeholders and instances of horse business, facilities and owners the entirety of the equine community regarding being cut off or pressured out of public spaces by import and export regulations, protocols and pol- community efforts. This includes equine assist- icies. The ability to transport horses across inter- ed therapy providers, carriage operators, horse national borders is a critical component to main- rentals and more. While the AHC does not have taining a healthy industry. The realities of equine resources to engage directly in local or state regu- health, welfare and business change faster than latory efforts, AHC continues to collect resources the government generally allows, and AHC staff and identify people and organizations fighting to continue to voice concerns at all levels of govern- preserve public space access. ment. Private Horse Transportation AHC staff continued efforts to keep private horse transportation unhindered by Department of Transportation policies intended to regulate large, commercial hauling enterprises. The DOT continues to support their Recreational Equine Exemption and the AHC educates law enforce- ment nationwide on how this exemption ap- plies to the horse community. In addition, AHC staff work on Capitol Hill to expand commercial equine transportation laws to better serve the health, welfare and business interests of the equine industry. Wild Horses and Burros AHC staff attended a conference on the current issues and potential solutions to the concerns surrounding federally managed wild horses and burros. While the AHC maintains a neutral