©Voice, June 2006

(L-R) Jack Haefling, Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN),
Buster Black, and Charles Hulsey.

The American Horse Council (AHC) held its annual convention on April 2-5, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, in Washington D.C.

This convention offers the opportunity for all equine breeds to meet and to discuss issues that are of vital interests to all. This year the topics discussed included: “What are the Facts on Equine Identification?”; “Will You Be Riding on Your Favorite Trail Next Year?”; “Why is Equine Health Research Crucial to Our Industry?”; “Are Horses Agricultural Livestock?” and “How Will Immigration Reform Affect the Industry’s Workforce?”

A distinguished panel, comprised of both government and industry notables, was on hand to discuss in detail, many of the recent developments on the scientific front, the governmental front and on behalf of the various breed registries and in conjunction with the State Horse Councils.

Charles Hulsey, Executive Director of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association^SM, Jack Haefling, representing the Indiana Horse Council and co-chair of AHC’s State Horse Council’s Advisory Committee, specializing in marketing; and Lloyd Black, an individual member of the AHC, from Brooks, Georgia, all members of TWHBEA^SM, represented the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry in the AHC meetings and on visits to members of Congress.

On Tuesday evening, the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association^SM, the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration (TWHNC), The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame and the United States Trotting Association, hosted a Congressional Reception held in the Russell Senate Office Building.

For the past several years, TWHBEA^SM and the TWHNC have co-sponsored a Congressional dinner each year. In 2005 it was decided that a reception, could possibly increase the attendance by members of Congress and we were pleasantly surprised with the attendance. In keeping with that line of thinking, the reception this year was moved from the Capitol to the Russell Senate Office Building but many from both Houses of Congress were able to attend. We were especially pleased to have Representative Bob Goodlatte (R- Virginia) who is the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, attend.

For the past four years that I have attended the AHC Convention, the status of the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry has continued to grow. We currently have a seat on the Horse Shows Committee filled by Mr. Ron Thomas of the Celebration and I currently sit on the Governmental Affairs Committee. It would be inconceivable that we should miss the opportunity to network with other equine industry representatives and members of Congress on issues such as Disaster Relief for Horses, the Right to Ride Trails legislation, to participate in the ongoing discussions pertaining to animal identification and the plight of unwanted horses.

I especially appreciate the help and encouragement of the Celebration and of Mr. Ron Thomas in helping keep the Tennessee Walking Horse industry in the forefront at the National level.

Special thanks should also go the Mr. Jack Haefling and Mr. Lloyd Black for always making themselves available to help promote our industry in any way possible.

– Charles Hulsey