NHSC Says Not Right Now

    SHELBYVILLE, TENN -- The National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) voted today to continue negotiating full-time with the United States Department of Agriculture regarding the 2007-2009 Operating Plan and in the meantime to surpass the standards required by the Horse Protection Act.
    “We had worked on an Operating Plan for 13 months and had reached an agreement on a new plan. Unfortunately, the plan we were given only 15 days ago is a different plan,” says NHSC Chairman Wink Groover.
    The NHSC is discouraged that the probationary period which has been a part of the Operating Plan since its inception was abruptly eliminated by the Department.
    We are also troubled by the interpretation of the Scar Rule and statements made by USDA personnel that an even more subjective interpretation would be utilized at horse shows in 2007.
    “Our horse show season has already begun. We don’t have the luxury of signing the Plan and negotiating these issues before the plan is applied at a show,” explains Groover.
    By not signing the Operating Plan, the NHSC, as a certified Horse Industry Organization, is required to enforce the standards set forth in the Horse Protection Act.
    The NHSC’s number one concern is the welfare of the horse. We will be surpassing the HPA standards by inspecting every horse and imposing penalties greater than those required by law.
    “We only want sound horses in the show ring,” says Groover, “but we want to continue to work with the Department to sign a mutually acceptable Operating Plan.”
    “We are proud to have both AgWorks Solutions and Niels Holch negotiating intensely on our behalf,” said Groover.