The Board of Directors of the Colorado Horse Council announces with pleasure the unanimous vote to appoint Bill Scebbi as Executive Director, effective immediately. According to incoming CHC Board President, Chris Whitney, Bill “noticeably energized the CHC Annual Meeting last week by sharing his ideas for the future of the Council.” Bill’s directorship extends to the management of the Colorado Horse Development Authority as well; the CHDA board is equally enthusiastic about his acceptance of the position.

ALERT!

Colorado Department of Agriculture has announced movement restrictions or additional entry requirements for horses from Texas due to the detection of equine piroplasmosis in South Texas.

Equine piroplasmosis is a serious tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, such as horses, donkeys, mules and zebras; the disease may be carried and transmitted by as many as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks have been collected from the South Texas ranch for testing, final results are not complete, and it is not known whether any of the ticks can serve as a host for the disease.

Promote the horse and please a friend—the “Support the Horse” Colorado license plate will delight every horse enthusiast on your holiday list. Proceeds go to the Colorado Horse Development Authority, which in turn uses the money to award grants to individuals and groups whose activities further Colorado’s vital and historic horse industry.

In 2009, the CHDA funded large animal rescue training, horse judging seminars, and other activities. CHDA also sponsored Audra Dobbs, who traveled tirelessly this year as Miss Rodeo Colorado 2009, promoting public awareness of Colorado’s horse programs and activities. CHDA will continue this effort by supporting Kasie Pigg, the incoming Miss Rodeo Colorado for 2010.

The general assembly hereby declares that it is in the public interest and welfare that owners of horses be authorized and encouraged to act jointly and in cooperation in stimulating, by research, education, advertising, and other methods, the promotion of the horse industry in the state. It is the intent and purpose of this article to authorize and provide a method and procedure for effectively correlating and encouraging the promotion of horses and the financing thereof pursuant to the powers of the general assembly as authorized by law. It is further declared that the horse has a long established relationship with the citizens of Colorado and therefore the state is affected with a public interest to ensure the continuation of a stable and expanding horse industry by establishing policies concerning horse promotion in this state and by educating the public concerning the health, care, and welfare of horses.

The Colorado Horse Development Authority is privileged to present renowned breeder and racing legend Frank “Scoop” Vessels III as the keynote speaker at the 2009 Horse Summit. His topic will be “Acting as One: Keeping the Horse Industry Healthy.” Ranked among the nation’s leading breeders in both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries as well as the owner of a top racing stable, Vessels’ combined interests make him an outspoken proponent of cooperate efforts among the various breeds and disciplines in the horse industry.

Event will partner with the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo
Denver – March 13-15, 2009

Renewable, sustainable, green—interest in “resourceful” practices has never been higher, but balancing environmental responsibility with economic reality can be a challenge for everyone, whether their interests are agricultural or urban. Sometimes even finding up-to-date information can be difficult. The Green Ranch & Home Show will tackle the problem directly, running as a companion to the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in Denver, March 13-15, 2009.

May 14, 2008 was a great day for equus Coloradus—the horses in Colorado—when Governor Bill Ritter signed Senate Bill 178 into a law creating a special license plate honoring the contributions the horse industry makes to the culture and economy of Colorado. The bill was sponsored by Senator Jim Isgar and Representative Marsha Looper, both strong proponents of the state’s agricultural interests. The special plates bear the image of a horse and the words, “Support the Horse.” Proceeds from the sale of the plates will benefit the Colorado Horse Development Authority which promotes education and other programs of value to the horse industry in the state.

Wednesday, May 14 will be an historic day for the 250,000 horses in Colorado when Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signs SB 178 into law, creating a special license plate honoring the contributions the horse industry makes to the economy and culture of the Centennial state.

In 2002, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Horse Council together issued a "White Paper" on efforts to reclassify horses as companion (or other non-livestock) animals. Because states continue to debate the horse's legal status, the issue remains critical today. It seems relevant to republish the AAEP article here to clarify for the readers of the Colorado Horse Contact the ramifications of changes to livestock classification for horses.

In 2008, the Rocky Mountain Horse Expo hosts The Extreme Cowboy Race® hosted by Craig Cameron not once, but twice. The race returns to the Vail/Eagle Valley, May 30-June 1, 2008. Plus, “extreme cowboy” antics will be featured at the 2008 Rocky Mountain Horse Expo in Ignacio, September 19-21. Get a sense of the upcoming extreme fun—and extremely excellent horsemanship—by touring our photo gallery of the 2007 Vail/Eagle Valley Finals.

The Extreme Cowboy Race® hosted by Craig Cameron
Vail/Eagle Valley, May 30-June 1, 2008
Ignacio, September 19-21, 2008

Clinicians & Educational Seminars ~ Shopping ~ Family Fun
Breed, Stallion & Mare Presentations
Private Treaty Horse Sales & Showcase