About Us
Vision & Mission
To grow the non-olympic horse industry by insuring quality and standards throughout our Network. To provide rules and standards, marketing, and support to our network of horse shows with an emphasis on integrity, sportsmanship and safety.
We Offer
A sanctioning partnership with horse shows using Standardized Rules and Guidelines that are customized for the non-olympic horse industry.
A Drug Testing program that adheres to international guidelines and penalty standards, using an ISO-certified drug lab.
An Independent Neutral Dispute Resolution process.
A $6 Million Liability Insurance policy for officials.
A 25% return of revenues to all the horse shows in our network in the form of class sponsorships and marketing grants.
Our History
Equine Sports Council (ESC), a private Alabama corporation was co-founded in 2019 by show horse enthusiasts Shane Darnell and Jackie Hale, later joined by Tamara Tucker as an Officer and General Counsel. In 2020, a group of horse shows joined ESC including the Monarch National Championship, followed by continued growth. In 2024 ESC partnered with the Mane Event Horse Show (home of the National Good Hands Finals) followed by the KY State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show. Year over year ESC continues to see growth in our Network and an increase in our annual “giveback” grants. In 2024, the grants from ESC exceeded $50,000 since our inception.
Equine Sports Council Foundation (ESCF) is the educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of ESC. The ESC Foundation’s mission is to educate, raise awareness, and advocate for the trotting breed show horse industry. The ESC Foundation is funded by donations from ESC Corporation and private individuals.
ESC Officers & Directors
Shane Darnell, Officer, Co-Founder, Managing Director & Head of ESC Corporation
Jackie Hale, Officer, Co-Founder, Managing Director & Head of ESC Foundation
Tamara Tucker, Officer & Legal Counsel
Todd Graham – Board Member at Large
ESC Professional Advisory Council (PAC)
Donna Pettry-Smith, Chairman
David Cater
Janet Crampton
Robert Gardiner
Todd Graham
Will Harris
Tom Lowry, Vice Chairman
Barbe Smith
Tom Thorpe
Richard Yoder
Industry Consultants & Competition Advisory Council
Angie Boyle, American Dutch Harness Industry Consultant
Rich Campbell, Hackney Industry Consultant
Susi Day, Saddlebred Morgan Hackney Roadster Industry Consultant
Patrick Gallagher Ph.D., Legal Consultant
Vicky Holston, Rules & Standards Consultant
Dwayne Knowles, Morgan Industry Consultant
Lori Nelson, Rules & Standards Consultant
James Nichols, Roadster Industry Consultant
Kristen Pettry, Show Administration & Management Consultant
Donna Pettry-Smith, Saddlebred Industry Consultant
Dan Shirley, Show Administration & Management Consultant
Glenn T. Werry, Morgan Industry Consultant
Our Industry Consultants and Competition Advisory Committee analyze areas of competition challenges and present solutions utilizing the development of new rules and standards, protocols, and educational opportunities for stakeholders.
The Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) aims to provide expert guidance and support in promoting the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and welfare in equine sports. With representatives across the country, these industry professionals will collaborate with stakeholders and show organizers to educate and implement best practices and policies that enhance the well-being of horses and ensure fair competition. Through our collective expertise and dedication, we strive to advance the sport of equine athletics while prioritizing the health, safety, and ethical treatment of our equine partners.
Each ESC Advisor has over 20 years of trotting breed experience. They have either served in various leadership roles in breed/professional associations, are involved with judging at the National and World Championship levels, and/or manage the office administration of horse shows in our Network.
The role of the Advisors for ESC is not to make overall policy decisions, but rather to provide current knowledge, critical thinking and analysis that serves to educate the public and ensure key facts are in the hands of the decision-makers. Advisors may at will, engage in social media discussions that provide historical information, are educational or constructive to further our goals.