Officials in blue jeans and boots arrived at WestWorld on a Saturday in February to attend the Economic Impact of the Equine Industry in Arizona. They came from all over the state and from all walks of government, a powerful reminder of what the Arizona Horse Council (AzHC) represents as the “official voice of Arizona’s $1.8 billion equine industry.”
Among the speakers that day were Arizona State Representative Heather Carter, who spoke of the leading role Arizona plays in the QH circuits; Arizona State Senator Steve Pierce, who spoke of untapped “racino” opportunities with the potential to bring new suppliers and manufacturers to the state; and Scottsdale Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane, who reported on the economic impact of equestrian activities on Scottsdale.
Topics ranged from the significance of the WestWorld Equidome expansion project to incentives for bringing in more rodeo venues to the state, as discussed by Arizona Speaker of the House Andy Tobin.
Also adding to the discussions were Doug Huls, Show Director for Arizona Sun Circuit, one of the more esteemed QH circuits in the nation with an estimated $4.5 million directly impacting the local economy; Janice McCrea-White from the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona, which hosts the annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse show representing an estimated $52 million in direct contribution to the local economy every year; and Irene Kunz of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association, which estimates $134 million in annual horse racing revenue for the state.
One of the voices that stood out came from a representative with Governor Janet Brewer’s office, who spoke of the equine property tax bill championed by the AzHC and recently passed by the state of Arizona exempting equestrian businesses from excessive property tax under the agriculture classification. This is just one of the many actions directly or indirectly supported by the AzHC, the only organization to retain a lobbyist to represent horse interests in the Arizona State Capitol.
For those of us new to the AzHC sitting in the audience that day, it was a morning of both reflection and vision for this great state of ours. Together, with your help, the AzHC can accomplish so much for horses and the lifestyle we all cherish. If you are not a member of the AzHC, please join us today. Or join us for our monthly meeting, held the second Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the offices of the Arizona Post (AZ Peace Officer Standards Of Training) at 2643 East University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034-6914.
Arizona Horse Council 
