MAR2025-WSCASpotlight | Page 8

8 - March - 2025 www . wsca . org WSCA Digital Spotlight

The remaining committees to appoint their Vice Chairs are Championship Horse Show , Computer , Futurity , and Rulebook .

-The Horse Protection Act has come up in recent conversations among WSCA and other organizations . Lynn-Ellen shared that the current administration has made updates to the Federal regulations that outline a process and goal to eliminate the use of soring of horses . This order is set to come into effect this spring and would require equine pleasure events to report their scheduled events 30 days in advance to USDA . Lynn-Ellen has contacted an attorney , who is very well versed in this topic , and continues to work on it , to find out what the reporting process might look like for WSCA . At this point in time , the reporting piece is mandatory , shows must report their events in advance to USDA . With the updates to the regulations , a show must have either a Vet Medical Officer or an Inspector available to evaluate horses at the event . Groups may opt out of this procedure , but by doing so that group excepts full liability , if it is discovered later by an “ Official ” that there was a horse sored at their event . The likelihood of that happening at a WSCA event is extremely small . If these regulations do go forward , with the new administration , most local groups would most likely be advised to accept the liability . Again , this is what the current situation looks like now . It was also mentioned that while these Federal regulations are requiring groups to report their events in advance , there is currently no way to report . The board will continue to provide updates to WSCA ’ s members as they become available . Rodeo or speed only events are not required to report . WSCA has asked the MN Horse Council ’ s attorney to attend the 2025 Judges Seminar , to discuss the topic of soring . That is the best way that the association can ensure our Judges have the best current knowledge when meeting with our clubs on a show level . It was reiterated that WSCA holds animal welfare to the highest standard , and that our Judges are expected to pull / dismiss a horse at an event due to any soundness issue .

Motion was made by Paul Hansen , seconded by Julia Northwick to adjourn the Board of Directors meeting at 8:12pm . Motion passed unanimously .

Next Board Meeting : February 5th , 2025 Western Saddle Clubs Association , Inc . Board Meeting Minutes , January 8th , 2024 Submitted by Liz Bauer , WSCA Executive Secretary

October 2025 TBD