Equine Sports Council was pleased to host an educational forum at the UPHA National Convention on Friday, January 10th. Dr. Travis Mays presented, “Demystifying Drug Testing,” and shared information on the chain of custody process and testing procedures at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory. In addition to Dr. Mays’ presentation, Tamara Tucker, ESC Director and General Counsel, introduced our Show Safety Policy. Jackie Hale, Director, provided an update on the USDA’s Horse Protection Act and a checklist of regulations for trainers. And fellow Director, Shane Darnell, shared information about what we learned from the 2024 drug testing results and outlined some changes in withdrawal times we are considering for…

American Horse Council, President Julie Broadway issues formal request that the USDA delay its implementation of the Horse Protection Act of 2025. In a statement from AHC, “The USDA-APHIS has still not addressed big-picture, fundamental concerns on how the regulation applies to certain disciplines… clarity, accessibility, resources, guidance, and training—all the elements required for a successful implementation of the revised regulation—are lacking in the agency.“ Sign our Letter BelowHouse CommitteeOversight & AccountabilityChairman, James Comer

Link to Federal Register Show Management must disqualify any individuals that are in violation to the USDA Regulations below. Show Management is required to file regulatory reports 30 days before the start of the show, 15 days prior and then 5 days post show. All ESC Sanctioned shows are provided assistance with reporting and records retention management requirements. Pay special attention to toe and heel ratios defined in items 10-13. Any horse with foundered, small heels, low heels or high heels and whose heel is NOT 1 inch shorter than the toe should file an ESC Medical Report. Veterinarians must complete the ESC Medical report. Below is a diagram provided…

Communication Released by American Horse Council Monday 10/7/2024 4PM E.T. The American Horse Council (AHC) is releasing this advisory to inform members of important changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA). AHC asks that all members share this advisory with their competition organizers.  The HPA has always applied to all equine breeds and disciplines to protect against abusive practices and promote humane care. Past enforcement of the HPA has focused on elimination of soring within the gaited breeds. Newly updated HPA regulations will now focus on all shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions. This means that event participants and managers should be fully prepared for USDA targeted and random inspections, underscoring the importance of compliance…

Effective February 1, 2025, changes to the Horse Protection Act (HPA) will go into effect for all horse shows, exhibitions and sales. Event management will be required to register 30 days prior to the event with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is the inspection division of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). At the time of registration with APHIS, event management may elect to hire, or decline to hire, an approved inspector. Event management will then have additional reporting requirements two weeks before the event, and after its conclusion. According to the regulations, other information may be required, such as a copy of the prize list and…

The Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, will serve as the host this weekend for the Newmarket Equestrian High Point Show Series. Riders in multiple divisions competed in the May 2024 Newmarket Spring show, and many will compete again next weekend, where the Newmarket Series Champions will be presented with embroidered European coolers. The Equine Sports Council (ESC) is the national sanctioning organization for this Hunter/Jumper show series, and the Virginia Horse Show Association is the state sanctioning organization. Both the May and October Newmarket Hunter/Jumper shows have now been guaranteed ESC marketing grants in 2026 as part of the ongoing Give Back Program for the ESC Network of Shows. Also…

Equine Sports Council (ESC) is very honored to welcome the Cleveland Tri-State Charity Horse Show to our family of sanctioned events. Tri-State Charity begins today October 3, 2024 and will go through Saturday October 5, 2024 and is being held at the Tri-State Exhibition Center in Cleveland, TN. This charity event helps to sponsor the Reinbow Riders Therapeutic Program and Tri-State Exhibition Center. In 2026 and as part of the ESC Network the Tri-State Charity will receive a guaranteed grant from ESC. Some of the top Saddlebred, Hackney and Roadster horses will show here before going on to Kansas City for the UPHA National Championships. The ESC Show Commissioners for…

Equine Sports Council (ESC) is the proud partner of the Mid America Horse Show Association’s Mane Event and National Good Hands Finals in Springfield, Illinois from October 16-19, 2024. Several new and exciting classes have been added along with two very popular roadster classes: $90,000 Mid-America Roadster Challenge$35,000 Standardbred Breeder’s Cup Exhibition JudgesTammie Conatser, Matthew Roberts & Jimmy Robertson ESC Show CommissionersDan Shirley – Show ManagerKristen Pettry – Show SecretaryNancy Noble – Show Steward ESC Mobile Hub & Drug TestingThe ESC Mobile Hub has been customized for the Mane Event & National Good Hands Finals, offering benefits to exhibitors with quick links to medical forms and sports concepts by breed…