The Politics of Horses

P O Box 788 Quincy, IL 62306-0788 Phone: 217-689-4224 Voice of the Illinois Horse Industry Email: [email protected] 2016 - Issue 2 Spring 2016 The Politics of Horses In this Issue: In this increasingly divisive presidential election year, politics has become a nasty word. It doesn’t have to be. One definition of the adjec- President’s Message 1 tive “politic” is shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic. Trails Clean-Up 2 That is what the horse industry needs to be to fight remain relevant in the 21st century. To put it more bluntly, either horsemen defend their right to Legislative Activity 3 exist or we will cease to exist. Am I saying that I believe that horses will go extinct? Of course not. But I am saying that horse ownership and present Regional Planning 4 uses of the horse will become increasingly rare or even impossible. It is HCI Awards 5-6 happening even as you read this. Sheryl King, PhD Horse Fair Report 7-8 Our ability to own and enjoy our horses and to allow others to President Horsemen’s Council of Illinois Survey, Grants 9 discover the joy of horses is being eroded or even outright attacked from many fronts. Urbanization and zoning restrictions, even in subur- Foundation, 10 Committees ban and rural areas, is excluding horsekeeping. High insurance costs and a general loss of personal responsibility have driven many public stables out of business. The increasing power and Membership 11 influence of radical animal rights advocacy that rejects animal ownership and creates onerous and unreasonable restrictions on how, when and under what conditions we can enjoy our horses is a huge threat. Without our political involvement, those with no knowledge of horses are in- Horsemen’s Council of Illinois creasingly deciding humane rules and environmental requirements governing horsekeeping. Board of Directors Access to safe and maintained trails on which to ride our horses is shrinking. Even seemingly small things like regulations concerning hauling horses, and requirements for licensure have and Sheryl King, Ph.D. - President will continue to change. If we horse owners don’t become part of the process and get involved Need a speaker or presentation for your group? Makanda Paula Briney - 1st VP in these issues at the grassroots to protect and promote our passion, we have no one to blame Chatham but ourselves when we lose our freedoms. Horsemen’s Council of Illinois board members come from a diverse Elaine Ramesh, Ph.D. - 2nd VP equestrian background and can provide presentations on a wide Barrington Hills Benjamin Franklin said, “We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall range of topics from horse health & disease, legal, land use, trail rid- David Nobbe, Ph.D. - Treasurer Carpentersville all hang separately”. The horse industry is diverse and often fractioned. This favors the “divide ing, driving, showing, racing, disease and legislation. Russ Derango - Secretary and conquer” form of attack - - and it has worked well for opponents of various parts of our in- Lexington dustry. It is essential for our industry’s survival that horsemen recognize that our differences are We'd like to update your group on HCI activities and goals this year Dennis French, DVM - Urbana much less important than our commonalities and what affects any part of the horse industry to serve Illinois horsemen. We have several new programs, legisla- Kevin Kline, Ph.D. - Urbana ultimately affects the whole. Numbers and a united voice matter. tion and initiatives that we'd like to tell you about Yvonne Ocrant - Wheaton Ron Rhoades - Seymour The Horsemen’s Council of Illinois practices the politics of horses. HCI brings the entire We would also like to hear about the needs of horsemen in your ar- Anna Ruman, DVM - Coffeen horse industry under a single umbrella to promote and defend. Our political effectiveness de- pends on proving that we speak for the hundreds of thousands of horses and tens of thousands ea to find out how we might work together on solutions. Jim Stevens - Augusta of horse owners in our state. That means we need your membership and we need the member- Jerry Sutton - Norris City If you are interested contact the HCI office. ship of all the horse lovers that you know. Beyond membership, we need your involvement. We The mission of Horsemen’s Council Tony Troyer-Earlville need you to help us put horses in the spotlight. When HCI asks for your help to move an issue in 217-689-4224 or Staff: of Illinois is to educate, mobilize Springfield, we need you to contact your representative – it really does matter and it really does Cheryl Waterman, Operations Manager make a difference. When we organize an event to help fellow horsemen – be it a trails work day, and represent Horsemen and [email protected] a fundraiser for horsemen’s disaster relief, an educational event or a campaign to get something the equine industry to ensure a P O Box 788 recognized or accomplished for some aspect of our industry - we need you to respond, and to Quincy, IL 62306-0788 chip in for every part of our great industry. Prove that horses matter. thriving Illinois horse community. Phone: 217-689-4224 Email: [email protected] MEMBERSHIP FORM ON PAGE 11 Illinois Statewide Horse Trails Spring Clean-up HCI Represents YOU! THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS AND IDNR Equestrian trails and campsites across the state recently got Founded in 1987, Horsemen’s Council of Illinois is the STAFF WHO COMPLETED some TLC from volunteers who assisted in HCI’s first annual only statewide organization that works to serve the entire CLEANUP PROJECTS Trails Work Day. To bring a focus to horse community. We are amateurs, professionals, horse AT THESE SITES! equestrian trail use Horsemen’s hobbyists, breeders, local riding clubs and larger business- Membership Application Council of Illinois and Illinois De- Name: ___________________________________ es. Individuals and groups from all disciplines, breeds and partment of Natural Resources part- Street: ___________________________________ nered in the effort to have a types of horses are welcome. We are led by a Board of APRIL 30 City: _______________ State: _______________ statewide trails work day. HCI mobi- Directors and committees that address education, equine Franklin Creek State Natural Area County: ________________ Zip: _____________ lized horsemen in response to con- health and welfare, trails, land use and legislative and Elmer Stauffer - Site Office Phone: __________________________________ cerns voiced for several years that regulatory concerns. Rock River Trail & Horsemen Assoc horse trails in parks throughout the Email: ___________________________________ Siloam Springs State Park state need attention. What began Memberships are critical to HCI success for two reasons: # of Horses: ____ Boarded ____ At Home: ____ Mark Gerard - Site Office as a single weekend event was Giant City 1) We can better represent you, your organization, your Quincy Saddle Club - Ron Gaus extended to several weekends due discipline, your PASSION if we know who you are; Membership Levels Illinois Prairie Path - Elgin Branch to wet weather. From April 30th 2) The income from memberships helps sustain the operat- Trail Riders of DuPage DuPage through May 14th groups worked on All memberships run January through December ing budget of HCI and provide key services to mem- MAY 7TH trimmed trees over campsites, installed pick- Youth Membership - Free et lines, picked up trash, cleared trails and bers. 18 years or younger can join HCI at no cost Giant City State Park Basic - Family Membership - $30.00 installed new signage. The weather was wet 3) There are more than 70,000 horsemen in Illinois. Calvin Beckman - Site Office Bundle (list all family members on the membership) and cold, not ideal for riding but just fine for Please encourage others to join HCI so we can do Gold - Family Membership - $75.00 Volunteer Leader - Jerry Sutton the clean-up and projects. MORE to educate, mobilize and represent horsemen. Includes $1 Million Excess Equine Liability Policy MAY 7TH Memberships are accepted throughout the year. Basic-Individual Membership - $25.00 HCI board member and Trails Committee Rock Cut State Park Gold – Individual Membership - $50.00 Chair Tony Troyer says the project has sev- Melinda Kitchens - Site Office Includes $1 Million Excess Equine liability Policy eral benefits, “IDNR and the site staff now HCI Member benefits: Valley Rider's Saddle Club - Liz Longenecker Life Individual Membership - $350.00 know they can count on horsemen to All Membership Levels: weekly email bulletin, monthly -e $1 Million Excess Equine Liability insurance option, Billed $20 annually. NEW - Optional American Horse Council MAY 14TH assist with volunteer labor and acquir- newsletter, equine health and legislative alerts, print news- Grassroots Membership - $15.00 Jubilee College State Park ing resources for some projects. We’re letter, access to members only resources on website, access to Weinberg King Joe Bassetti - Site Office demonstrating good stewardship for professional expertise of HCI board members and speakers for Organization/Business Name: Volunteer Leader - Jerry Lutker these valuable natural resources, lead- your group events, regional event invitations, American Horse ________________________________________ Weinberg King State Park ing by example to other user groups Council Advantage Plan, option to purchase American Horse Council Grassroots Membership at 40% discount. (Provide primary contact information above) Mark Gerard - Site Office and cultivating volunteer resources for Number of Members: ______________________ Volunteer Leader - Jim Stevens ongoing projects.” Gold Level Membership: all of the above benefits and $1 million Excess Personal Equine Liability Insurance There are workdays yet to be complet- Business & Professional Membership - $100 Bundle (up to 50 members can be listed) ed at two sites. This will become an Non-Profit Organizations - $50 annual event coordinated by HCI.

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