Lexington, Ky. – Senate Bill 534, Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 has been signed into law, becoming effective immediately. The bill imposes a duty on amateur sports organizations, including US Equestrian and its members, to report suspected sex-abuse to local or federal law enforcement or to a child-welfare agency designated by the Justice Department, within 24 hours. Failure to report is subject to criminal penalties. The bill amends...

The 2009 Stimulus Act signed into law by President Barack Obama contains provisions that impact the horse industry, the American Horse Council said in a February 24 memorandum to the industry. The measure contains the bigger write-off for horses and other property purchased and placed in service during 2009, the AHC said. The benefits were part of 2008 tax stimulus legislation, but they expired at the end of 2008. Here is an overview of what the Stimulus Act does: Expensing allowance The first...

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act” (S. 3880) by voice vote on November 13. The bill clarifies that it is a crime to damage or interfere with a legitimate, legal animal enterprise. As defined by the bill, “animal enterprise” includes commercial and academic enterprises that use or sell animals or animal products for profit, food, agriculture, education, research and testing. This definition also includes equine activities such as rodeo, horse shows and...

The enactment of the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act of 2020 (S.2330) , signed into law on October 30, 2020, by President Trump, reflects a shared national feeling that athlete safety is an undeniable priority. It enables the U.S. Center for SafeSport to investigate more reports of abuse more quickly, increase their policy and procedural oversight, and broaden abuse-prevention training and education on behalf of athletes. The new law includes several changes ( outlined...

President Bush signed into law the Economic Stimulus Act on February 13. The bill is intended to provide a jump-start to the lagging U.S. economy. “The new law includes two tax incentives that would allow a much bigger write-off for horses and other depreciable property purchased and placed in service during 2008,” said Jay Hickey, President of the American Horse Council. “This should provide an additional incentive for people to invest in more horses for racing, showing and breeding as part of...

Wellington, FL - March 18, 2016 - The Season 2 American Equestrians Got Talent is on Sunday, March 20, at 6pm so make sure you buy your tickets now! It will be held at the Adequan Global Text 71777 to vote for your favorite contestant! Voting is unlimited! Dressage Pavilion and all proceeds support the USEF High Performance Programs. AEGT is excited to announce an impressive lineup of opening acts! The Charlie Tota band will kick off the evening with an entertaining musical set while the VIP...

Kelley Farmer and Act of Valor won the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show of Kentucky Summer Series. (Ashley N. Williams/PMG) Lexington, KY - Along the fence line of the Stonelea Arena, people watched as the first competitor entered the ring for the $5,000 Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby. In the fourth week of the Kentucky Summer Series, the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show welcomed riders of all experience to a challenging course, and a...

The $1000 prize money sponsored by Jacquie McCutcheon and On Course Consignment went to the winning group, Grown But Young, this week, although singer Taylor Hughes was also applauded into the Finale line-up. This was the first week of auditions where Robert Dover, emcee, would allow only a non-singing group to win the prize money, although the best individual singers are still allowed to get applauded into a slot in the Finale line-up. Tonight’s audition was filled with variety including...

New products will be available at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games online merchandise store in time for the "Halfway There" celebration marking two years to go in the countdown to the 2010 Games. New merchandise will include "Halfway There" T-shirts, which continues a line of horseshoe designs from the "Three Years to Go" celebration in 2007. In addition, vanity license plates, plate frames, and car decals will be available for purchase at the Games online store for the first time during...

The FEI World Vaulting Championships are just a month off, to be held at the Brno Fairgrounds in the Czech Republic from July 29 to August 3, in conjunction with the FEI European Junior Championships. There are 400 competitors from 20 countries, with around 200 horses lined up for this important event on the calendar. The Brno Fairgrounds The Championship will take place at the Brno Fairgrounds, one of the architectural marvels of Europe. The events of the Championship will happen in several...