News Briefs: Equine Related

AHC REGULATORY UPDATES Pyrethrin Regulation Changes at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The EPA released a Proposed Interim Decision in October concerning pyrethrin, the preeminent ingredient used in equine fly spray products. This document proposed a ban on the use and sales of hand operated trigger style fly spray applicators and the use of misting systems in housing and event spaces. This ban was in response to extreme assumptions on the part of the EPA concerning the amount of product used daily in our industry. In addition, the EPA was operating under the false impression of alternative fly spray products being widely available. AHC staff collaborated with USDA personnel, livestock industry groups, and fly spray manufacturers to draft multiple independent comments, which have all been submitted. The EPA announced they will make a decision based on the comments submitted in 2024. No changes will be implemented before then.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Import Rule Announcement

The USDA Released a proposed rule on import regulations for horses on November 29th. The proposed rule will amend Several regulations, including the number of days horses exported from regions free of contagious equine metritis (CEM) are allowed to spend in a CEM effective region and reenter the United States without testing from 60 days to 90 days. Other changes include new requirements for health certificates, Canadian import regulations, new requirements for Caribbean horses, and various verbiage and contextual language changes. AHC staff is collaborating with importer members to assure that none of these changes significantly hinder their ability to move horses safely and cost-effectively.

GLOBAL POLO ENTERTAINMENT SIGNS HISTORIC AGREEMENT WITH ESPN

Global Polo Entertainment grants ESPN the domestic rights to distribute seven major polo tournament finals, including the 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO® series, the U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship, the National Intercollegiate Championships for both men and women, and the 2022 FIP World Polo Championship.

Beginning in 2022, ESPN will distribute the 2022 GAUNTLET OF POLO®, the numberone-rated U.S. Open Women's Polo Championship and the 2022 FIP World Polo Championship on ESPN3 and ESPN2, all for the very first time. The semi-finals and finals of the 100th Men's and Women's National Intercollegiate Championship will air for the first time on ESPNU. This agreement also includes the 30-minute, made-for-television series World of Polo, presented by U.S. Polo Assn., and which will be available on ESPN's VOD platform. The broadcast schedule for the 2022 season will be announced prior to the start of the GAUNTLET OF POLO® tournament series, beginning with the C.V. Whitney Cup® final on Sunday, February 27, followed by the USPA Gold Cup® and culminating with the U.S. Open Polo Championship®, recognized as the most prestigious polo tournament in North America. For the most up-to-date information and breaking news, sign up for the Global Polo TV newsletter at: globalpolo.com and follow @globalpolo on Instagram.

Hemp By-product Effort with Association of American Feed Control Officials

The AAFCO approached the American Horse Council to solicit support and input for their official position statement concerning future legislation allowing for the use of hemp and hemp by-products in feed ingredients. They advocate for research, development, and official application to AAFCO and the FDA for review and approval of any hemp feed additives. This position directly falls in line with the feedback shared with staff following the 2019 AHC Annual Meeting, where this issue was first introduced to members. For more info., contact Cliff Williamson at cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org

Polo Entertainment, the entertainment and media subsidiary of USPA Global Licensing Inc. (USPAGL), has announced a landmark deal with ESPN. USPAGL manages U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the governing body for the sport of polo in the U.S. This multi-faceted agreement will bring the finals of the top seven U.S. and World Championship polo events in 2022 to ESPN. All games will be distributed on ESPN2, ESPNU or streamed live on ESPN3.

"The goal of this symbiotic and historic deal with ESPN and ESPNU is to reach more sports fans in the U.S. and attract new audiences by delivering more polo sport and lifestyle content in new ways, " said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global Licensing, which manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Association brand. "We look forward to broadening access to the amazing sport of polo with some of the most exciting polo tournaments in the world now being broadcast by ESPN, the nation's leader in sports content."

THE GREAT TACK EXCHANGE (GTE)

The GTE is one of Ohio's Largest Horseman's Flea Markets. There is a reason why we have been here for 36 years! This tack sale is an event that has a variety of organizations and individuals represented each year. There are non-profits, as well as horse breed organizations, individual families, 4-H clubs, feed and tack dealers, various stables, trainers and vets. With 125 indoor vendor spaces and many outdoor vendors, this is a wonderful event to attend. Great food is available as well. The GTE Is our main Fundraiser for funds to support our community. The Great Tack Exchange (GTE) is a great place to shop for new and used horsey items such as tack, stable and barn supplies, riding apparel, show clothes, gift items, trailers and much more. It enables people to buy horse-related items at affordable prices while helping our organization to fund its service activities in the community. Many people look forward to this annual event, as it is a place to socialize with folks they have not seen all winter and to meet new friends with the same interest. The Warren County Chapter of OHC provides service to Warren County in a variety

GREAT TACK EXCHANGE (GTE), CONT.

of ways. Proceeds from the Great Tack Exchange are used to improve and maintain the 30 plus miles of bridle trails and the horseman's campground at Caesar Creek State Park, as well as miscellaneous community causes and projects, while sponsoring many classes at the Warren County Fair's 4H Horse Show, 4-H Groom n' Clean Contest and other 4-H activities. This is an event you should not miss! The 36th annual Great Tack Exchange will be held at the Greene County Expo Center & Fairgrounds, (Building Livestock 3, cattle arena) Xenia, Ohio on Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 11am to 4pm. This popular event is sponsored by the Warren County Chapter of the Ohio Horseman's Council (OHC). New and used tack, horse supplies and gifts, riding attire and feed will be offered by a variety of individuals and dealers from the tri-state area. A raffle will also be held by The Warren County chapter of the Ohio Horseman's Council (OHC). For more information, please visit: https://greattackexchange.webs.com/

MI 4-H OFFERING FINANCIAL FITNESS AND FUN PROGRAM FOR YOUTH

Michigan 4-H is offering Financial Fitness and Fun sessions for youth through live online and self-guided formats. Being involved in a financial literacy program can prepare youths for lifelong financial success. According to Next Generation Personal Finance (NGPF), high school graduates with guaranteed financial education are 21% less likely to carry a balance on a credit card while in college, use subsidized student loans 13% more often, and are 3.5% more likely to submit the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). Students who receive financial education are also less likely to fall prey to high-cost predatory loans than their peers who don't have access to a personal finance curriculum. A national study by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) found that nearly half of Americans (49%) who have received more than 10 hours of financial education report spending less than they earn, compared with 36% of those people who received less than 10 hours of financial education. According to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a national evaluation of a teen financial education program showed that young people who were involved in a financial education curriculum for as little as 10 hours not only significantly increased their understanding of money management, but also improved their financial behavior in the ensuing months. Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H have embraced providing financial literacy education through a grant from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The 4-H Financial Fitness and Fun program offers youth the opportunity to learn about setting financial goals, saving, budgeting, banking basics, credit, and much more through ten financial education modules packed with fun lessons, activities, and games. Online modules are offered for an interactive self-guided course using Nearpod. Live online sessions will be offered again starting in late February 2022. Keep an eye on the MSU Extension calendar. The first 100 youth to complete all ten sessions either in a live session or through Nearpod lesson on the website, will receive a $50 incentive. MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H youth development help prepare young people for successful futures. As a result of career exploration and workforce preparation activities, thousands of Michigan youth are better equipped to make important decisions about their professional future, ready to contribute to the workforce, and able to take fiscal responsibility in their personal lives. For more information or resources on career exploration, workforce preparation, financial education, or entrepreneurship, contact 4-HCareerPrep@msu.edu or visit us online at: https://extension.msu.edu

USDF CONGRATULATES NEWLY ELECTED OFFICERS TO THE 2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD

The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) is pleased to welcome the newest officers to the USDF Executive Board for the 2022 term. Elections for the position of treasurer and president were held during the Board of Governors General Assembly (BOG), held during the 2021 Adequan®/ USDF Annual Convention. Entering into the convention, two candidates had been nominated for the position of president, Kevin Reining of Region 7 and Steven Schubert of Region 8, and only incumbent Lorraine Musselman had been nominated to the position of treasurer. As is permitted by USDF Bylaws, Iris Berdrow of Region 8 nominated former USDF President George Williams, from the floor of the BOG, to the position of president for a new term. Upon the nomination and acceptance, Kevin Reinig chose to rescind his candidacy in favor of supporting George, meaning Kevin Reining will remain in his current role as USDF Vice President for the remainder of his current term. USDF welcomes George and Lorraine back to the Executive Board and extends its sincere thanks and congratulations to all nominees on their dedication to the federation and sport and are sure that all will continue to be vital parts of the USDF structure moving forward. Other election results will be communicated once all have been officially verified. For more information on USDF elections, or the nomination and voting process, please visit the USDF website www.usdf.org, or contact nominations@usdf.org.

Happy New Year

Enjoy the ride!