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Friesian Show Horse Rules Developed for ESC & 2025 National Championship Advisory Committee Organizes
Equine Sports Council (ESC) announces the DRAFT release of it’s Sports Concepts developed for the Friesian Show Horse division. The Friesian (FR) Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) is under selection and review. The FR PAC will offer guidance to the ESC board and leadership team as the Friesian Show Horse is welcomed into the 2025 ESC Network. The ESC Professional Advisory Committee for Friesian Show Horses will concentrate on the 2025 Show Season, seeking to establish a qualification system and organize a National Championship event within the ESC Network of horse shows. Horse shows that would like to offer Friesian classes in 2025 for Purebred or Half-bred Friesian show horses should…
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New ESC Medication Guidelines Outline Allowed Therapeutic Treatments
June 7, 2024 – Now available online are the ESC Medication Guidelines that outline allowed therapeutic treatments. “One positive change is allowing medications prescribed for Cushing’s and Navicular hoof disease at ESC events,” said Shane Darnell, ESC co-founder. “These medications, that are given daily at home, will be allowed to continue on the regular schedule without a withdrawal time.” A single ESC Medication Report will need to be filed at the start of the show with the prescribing vet’s contact information, diagnosis and prescription instructions. This single form will be sufficient for the duration of that show for those medications. Jackie Hale continued, “Another allowed treatment that we are very…
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Newmarket Equestrian Joins ESC Network & Hunter Jumper Events Begin Saturday
Saturday May 11, 2024 at the Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia a series of two Hunter Jumper shows kicks off that includes classes for Hunters, Jumpers, Jumper mini prix, Hunter Derby and Field Hunter division for Fox Hunters. Class prizes include leather halters, lead shanks and Dover Saddlery Gift Cards all made possible through sponsors of the shows. In October a second show series takes place where high point awards will be given based on winnings from the May and October events. These shows are rated by the Virginia Horse Shows Association and sanctioned by Equine Sports Council. ESC is honored to welcome Newmarket Equestrian Productions into our network of…
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Professional Advisory Committee Named to Equine Sports Council
Equine Sports Council is honored to announce its Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of representatives who are industry leaders in the American Saddlebred, Morgan and Hackney breeds. These individuals are well respected and rely on the show horse industry to earn a living. Their expertise will be a resource for ESC’s Board of Directors in making key decisions. Donna Pettry-Smith heads the ESC PAC and is joined by David CaterJanet CramptonRobert GardinerTodd GrahamWill HarrisTom LowryBarbe SmithTom Thorpe The 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…
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Texas Court Issues Split Decision on 2024 HPA Rule
The Walking Horse Report issued a press release on January 31, 2025 that United States District Court Judge Matthew J. Kacsmary ruled that the USDA’s amendment to the Horse Protection Act scheduled to go into effect February 1, 2025 exceeds their authority and fails to provide due process. According to The Walking Horse Report, Judge Kacsmary ruled: However, the Court found that the provision of the 2024 Rule addressing the abolishment of the DQP (Designated Qualified Person) inspection program did not violate the Regulatory Flexibility Act nor was it deemed arbitrary or capricious. Therefore, the USDA will be permitted to set inspector qualifications and train HPIs (Horse Protection Inspectors) in an effort…
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USDA Postpones HPA Final Rule for 60 Days
USDA/APHIS has announced that the HPA Regulations set to go into effect February 1st will be postponed until April 2nd. The Agency will continue to screen, train and authorize Inspectors, and will “issue guidance to Stakeholders for the upcoming show season.” This announcement is good news for our horse shows and represents a shift in posture by USDA. Equine Sports Council encourages individuals to sign our petition to make your voice heard. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will announce new guidance as it becomes available.
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HPA 2025: Pending USDA Decision to Delay or Send Back to Public Comment
Through an Executive Order by President Trump, the horse industry could be granted a reprieve by USDA/APHIS regarding the Horse Protection Act (HPA) regulations scheduled to take effect February 1st. Through this Executive Order, President Trump allows agencies, including USDA, to postpone new rules already published in the Federal Register, and possibly return them to Public Comment for revisions. It is our hope that due to the pushback by the equine industry and our advocates in Washington, this rule will be sent back to Public Comment. ESC is monitoring USDA’s response and is working closely with the American Horse Council, our Washington connections, and other equine organizations. The real work…
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ESC Presentation at the UPHA Convention Educates Members
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…
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Horse Industry Formally Calls for Delayed Implementation of 2025 Horse Protection Act
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
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USDA Horse Protection Act Regulations Effective February 1, 2025
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…
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Horse Protection Act News Bulletin from American Horse Council
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…
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Amendment to the Horse Protection Act Requires ALL Shows, Exhibitions and Sales to Register, Inspect & Report
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…
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Hunter/Jumper Exhibitors to Compete for the Tri-Colors in the Newmarket Equestrian High Point Show Series
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…
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Cleveland Tri-State Charity Horse Show Partners with the ESC Network of Sanctioned Shows
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…