Industry Info
AHC Announces Safe Sport Code of Practice
use by the equine industry. It is the
industry’s expectation that all equine
organizations recognize “Protecting
Young Victims from Sexual Abuse
and Safe Sport Authorization Act of
2017” and US Center for Safe Sport,
and adopt programs to support these
initiatives.
The American Horse Council and
its members are:
• Committed to contributing to an
environment, which makes par-
ticipation a positive and reward-
ing experience.
The American Horse Council
(AHC) is pleased to announce the
adoption of a Safe Sport Code of
Practice.
“The reputation and integrity
of equestrian sports and all equine
related programs and activities is
maintained when all person’s act,
and are seen to act, in a way which
is of the highest ethical standards,”
said AHC President Julie Broadway.
“The #MeToo and #TimesUp move-
ments have further brought to light
the importance of maintaining a safe
environment for all, and the equine
industry is no exception to this.”
This Code of Practice, unanimous-
ly endorse by the AHC Board of
Trustees reads:
To behave ethically necessitates
an awareness of power differentials
among all persons involved. This
statement is intended to inform eth-
ical judgments as persons consider
asymmetric power relations among
themselves and others they work
with in professional roles. We recog-
nize that this statement’s strength and
requisite influence depend on its cir-
culation, discussion, reflection, and
8 • Walking On
• Committed to creating and
maintaining a community where
all persons who participate in
equine related programs and
activities can work, learn and
compete in an atmosphere free
of all forms of emotional, phys-
ical and sexual harassment and
misconduct.
• Committed to protecting the
rights, safety, dignity, and
well-being of the persons in-
volved in all aspects of our indus-
try, thus condemning all forms of
harassment regardless of whether
it is based on age, ethnicity, race,
gender identity or expression,
sexual orientation, disability,
religion or marital status.
• Committed to providing just
treatment in cases of disputes
and that there are proper and
accessible mechanisms that are
available in a timely manner to
resolve disputed issues through
due process.
A PDF of the Code can also
be found on the AHC’s website
here: http://www.horsecouncil.org/
wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Safe-
Sport-Code-of-Practice.pdf
A tentative presentation by the
U.S. Center for Safe Sport and a
roundtable discussion will be held at
the AHC’s National Issues Forum on
Tuesday, June 12th in Washington,
DC to identify best practices and
tools to support this practice. Infor-
mation about the National Issues
Forum can be found on the AHC’s
website here: http://www.horsec-
ouncil.org/events/ahc-annual-meet-
ing-national-issues-forum-2/.
About the American Horse Council
As the national association rep-
resenting all segments of the horse
industry in Washington, D.C., the
American Horse Council works daily
to represent equine interests and
opportunities. Organized in 1969,
the AHC promotes and protects the
industry by communicating with
Congress, federal agencies, the media
and the industry on behalf of all
horse related interests each and every
day.
The AHC is member supported
by individuals and organizations
representing virtually every facet of
the horse world from owners, breed-
ers, veterinarians, farriers, breed
registries and horsemen’s associations
to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos,
commercial suppliers and state horse
councils.