On Saturday January 9th the Arizona Horse Council Held their second Equine Summit. The primary objective of the summit is to unite the AZ Equestrian Community.

Invitees included:

The presidents of 30 of the largest Horse, Breed and Performance Associations from across the state.
Two Lobbyists
County Supervisors from Coconino, Pinal & Maricopa Counties
City council members from Casa Grande, Apache Jct
Babbit Ranch Manager
Two Equestrian Attorneys
Veternarian
Horse Rescue Owner
Equine College Professor
Equine High School Program Teacher-Coordinator
Trainers
Breeders
The Farm Bureau
Two AZ State Representatives
AZ Equestrian Directory Publisher
Pinal Partnership President And Many More

Standing Committiees

 In order to maintain consistency and continuity of the working committees, only current members of the Arizona Horse Council will be able to work on these important issues. If you are not yet a member of the Arizona Horse Council and would like to share your compassion and energy on these important issues, please join us TODAY! 

1. Improve Attitude toward Equestrians and the Industry

2. Strengthen AzHC and facilitate communication at state/local levels

3. Proactive with Development & Zoning at County, State and local levels.

4. Educate Adult Public & Equestrians

5. Increase participation of Youth & Adults with the Equine Experience

6. Equine Economic Sustainability: Increase & Enhance Equestrian Job Opportunities, Improve utilization of Public Equestrian Facilities

7. Increase participation and use of our Communication tools.

8. Unwanted Horses in Arizona: Who will care for them? Who will pay the bills?

9. Fundraising. $10K, $30K, $50K or more

The morning session was devoted to a recap of last year's summit and presentations by a number of speakers. After lunch the group of over 60 participants divided into groups to discuss the major areas that affect equine owners in Arizona. Out of these discussions emerged nine standing committees that will work throughout 2010 in the following areas:

Standing Committees Objectives

Effective Communications:  Website, Social Networks, Email, recruitment of new members, members involvement and participation at public events

Educate the Adult Public & Equestrians
Objective: Develop and distribute educational and information materials for both equestrians and non-equestrians.

Equine Outreach
Objective: Successfully increase awareness & involvement of youth & adults (including Senior Youth) in the equine experience. Establish an evaluation process to enable organization to expand, revise & enhance the programs, activities & opportunities for the sustainability of our equestrian community.

Fundraising
Objective: Develop a presentation about the AZ Horse Council for fundraising seeking corporate sponsors.
Improving Attitudes
Improve attitude towards Equestrians through active involvement with horse owners & non horse owners.

Equine Economic sustainability: Enhance Equestrian careers & Job opportunities

Improve Public Perception of Equestrian Lifestyle: Increase participation and encourage new membership

Proactive Planning
To involve and educate local advocates in how they can participate in land planning and general plan/comprehensive plan/area plan. To create centralized location to aggregate and disseminate information on planning and zoning issues To establish clear rural zoning, vision & values, definition & rights separate from residential

Strengthen AzHC & Communications
Unify AZ’s Horse People to Facilitate Communication - Partner with other user groups. Promote the message that: The Equine lifestyle is a viable & sustainable industry for AZ’s Economic Future

Unwanted Horses
Focus on a solution to the problem of how to keep horses from being unwanted.