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Information and Resources relevant for horse owners and enthusiasts. ​ Resources Programs for Riders With Disabilities ​ Equine Education Opportun ities Riding Lessons Equine Indoor Facilities Ho rse Rentals/Trail Rides Disaster Response Team MN Horsemen's Directory

MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL WELCOMES YOU! ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL Our Mission The Minnesota Horse Council, a non-profit corporation, encourages and supports equine-related activities, concerns and education. Founded in 1935, the Council began as a vehicle for horse owners and exhibitors to coordinate horse activities with the Minnesota State Fair Board. Since then the Minnesota Horse Council has evolved into an umbrella organization uniting and supporting equine activities throughout the state. Programs Exceeding Your Expectations Membership Join the Minnesota Horse Council and make a difference. Your membership in the Minnesota Horse Council will help us foster growth and promote a vibrant Minnesota equine community. Programs The Minnesota Horse Council promotes and supports the Minnesota horse industry through a variety of activities and funding mechanisms. Resources The Minnesota Horse Council provides links and information the MHC has considered relevant and accurate for MN horse owners and enthusiasts. Join us for Minnesota's largest equine trade show and breed exhibition April 25th-27th 2025! ​ Minnesota Horse Council Event Calendar GET IN TOUCH Name Email Subject Message Submit Thanks for submitting!

ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL Join MHC and make a difference! Our member stables, saddle clubs, breed organizations, tack shops, businesses and horse people represent over 7,000 horse lovers in the state. Your membership in the Minnesota Horse Council will help us foster growth in and promote a vibrant Minnesota equine community. ​ The MHC stays in touch with members through its monthly newsletter, "For Horses Sake," which is also mailed to other state horse councils, state and national publications, tack shops, local, state and federal agencies, various media, and other interested individuals and groups. Your membership in the Minnesota Horse Council will help us foster growth in and promote a vibrant Minnesota equine community. Join now, using the form below! Become a Member Today! Application Information: Select an item ($) * Family - $31.00 Family Membership & Equisure - $72.00 Individual - $26.00 Individual Membership & Equisure - $47.00 Youth (Under 18) - $16.00 Business/Corporation - $36.00 Certified Stable - $46.00 First name Last name Email Address Phone How did you find out about us? Select an option Volunteer Interests Aisle of Breeds Disaster Response Expo Horse Welfare/Humane Treatment Promotion/PR/ News Therapeutic Riding/Programs for Riders with Disabilities Trails Other Please tell us more about you and your involvement with horses! Submit Thank you! PDF Printable Membership Form Equisure Application & FAQs

Programs Listed below are the ways the MHC promotes and supports the state's horse industry through a variety of activities and funding mechanisms. Direct Funding Grants Scholarships Sponsorships TEEFA

Minnesota High School Equestrian Association The Minnesota High School Equestrian Association is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to promote equestrian disciplines as a high school team sport with an emphasis on education, citizenship and recognition of equestrian athletes in a wide variety of equestrian disciplines. The program is administered by the Minnesota Horse Council and provides Varsity and JV recognition to riders of many disciplines. Members who attend a school that has approved and recognizes the MHSEA Program will be eligible for Varsity or, in some cases JV, recognition from their school. ​ For more information, please visit the Minnesota High School Equestrian Association website. For exciting updates and opportunities , follow the official Minnesota High School Equestrian Association Facebook page !

Minnesota Horse Council Foundation The MHC Foundation’s purpose is to provide funding for the charitable activities and priorities of the Minnesota Horse Council. MHC Foundation is recognized by the IRS as a charity under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The MHC Foundation supports the programs of the Minnesota Horse Council. If horses are your passion, consider supporting these initiatives and the development of new ones with a donation or bequest by including MHC Foundation in your estate plan. For more information, please visit the official MHC Foundation website .

Horse of the Year Every year the Minnesota Horse Council honors and recognizes a horse for their outstanding service. Each application is evaluated based on the described service and impact the horse had on the industry or those around them. There is no age or breed limitations. Active and retired horses are also encouraged to be nominated. If you know of a horse that should be considered for the Horse of the Year, please use the application below to send in you nomination! ​ ​ Horse of the Year Application Horse of the Year The Minnesota Horse council would like to congratulate the Recipients of the Horse of the Year Award horse for their outstanding service to the horse industry. 2023- Lesson Horse: Black Horse 2022 - Therapy Horse: Echo 2020 -Community Service Horse: Sinclair 2020 - Therapy Horse: Royal Jade Lady 2019 -Lesson Horse: Glitter 2016 - Lesson Horse Chocolate Chip Kisses 2016 - Therapy Horse: Buddy 2014 - CH Heirrevenerent 2013 -Therapy Horse: Joker 2013 - Lesson Horse: Sweet William 2013 - Service Horse in Memoriam: Spirit

Trails Over 10 years ago, the Minnesota Horse Council recognized that horse trail issues were becoming an ever-larger part of its activities, significant enough that the Council decided to form a sub-committee to help provide support and financial backing for the maintenance and development of equine trails. This was the start of the MHC Trail Blazers. ​ The MHC Trail Blazers works to support state trails by acting as a liaison in two main areas: ​ We represent horse people in various statewide trail organizations. The Trail Blazers has been actively involved in organizations such as the MN Recreational Trail Users Association and the MN Parks & Trails Council. We also represent equestrian trail users before the Minnesota Legislature on matters such as landowner liability on trails and appropriations for parks and trails funding. We serve as a liaison between government bodies and local trails organizations. The Trail Blazers have developed good relationships and contacts with the MN Department of Natural Resources and the federal wilderness area managers. We recognize that we cannot ourselves deal with each trail state-wide; that is best done by the local trail user groups. What the Trail Blazers can do is provide advice to local trails groups, put them in contact with the right trail manager, and when necessary, intervene with someone at the state office. ​ Application procedures To begin the application process, please call of the Trail Blazer members list below. The procedure for applying for trails assistance varies depending on the project. Through the direct contacting process, we can then tell you what information is needed to apply for Minnesota Horse Council funds to assist in your specific trails project. There is no specific deadline for submitting requests for funding; each request will be evaluated as it is received. Our Trails committee will try to give a preliminary response within 1 month of receiving the request for funding. However, trail work is frequently done in cooperation with the state or federal government, or as matching funds. Major trail projects often require lengthy planning and approvals; projects sometimes take 2 to 3 years of planning before actual work on the trail begins. ​ For more information/resources regarding trails in Minnesota please visit the DNR Horseback Riding information page . Also visit the Minnesota Horse Pass page to see more information regarding Horse Pass information and purchase options. ​ ​ ​

Sponsorships The MHC Promotions Committee will sponsor equine events. The purpose of the sponsorships is to: Promote the Minnesota Horse Council to Minnesota horse people and make them more aware of the MHC programs. Obtain more memberships by having membership sign-ups at events. In keeping with the MHC mission, help support clubs, associations and organizations. ​ Types of Events: Horse Shows Club/Association Dinners Organized Trail Rides Fundraisers Educational Clinics where more than one clinician is speaking/teaching (The MHC does not sponsor individuals.) ​ ​ Sponsorship Application ​ ​ ​

ABOUT MINNESOTA HORSE COUNCIL Goals and Objectives Promote and/or support equine educational activities. Strengthen and facilitate communication among horse-related groups. Provide expertise, consultation and advice in horse -related matters . Board of Directors The Minnesota Horse Council is guided by up to 17 directors who each serve a three-year term. Ann Graney Hoffmann, President 952-469-4640 anngraneyhoffmann@mnhorsecouncil.org Gayle Belden, 1st Vice President 763-439-1675 gaylebelden@mnhorsecouncil.org Darrell Mead , 2nd Vice President 612-860-4645 darrellmead@mnhorsecouncil.org Dawn Moore, Secretary 612-819-1708 dawnmoore@mnhorsecouncil.org Elissa Lindsoe, Treasurer 612-819-4512 elissalindsoe@mnhorsecouncil.org Karen Clark 763-682-5324 karenclark@mnhorsecouncil.org David Fleischhaker 651-402-5512 davefleischhaker@mnhorsecouncil.org Sandy Helgeson 612-275-5016 sandyhelgeson@mnhorsecouncil.org Judy Jensen 763-972-6397 judyjensen@mnhorsecouncil.org Trina Joyce 612-729-7798 trinajoyce@mnhorsecouncil.org Doug Persian 763-242-5570 dougpersian@mnhorsecouncil.org Meg Sax 320-761-3990 megsax@mnhorsecouncil.org Tracy Turner, DVM 651-440-1964 tracyturner@mnhorsecouncil.org

Scholarships The future of the industry lies in the hand of the next generation who carry the torch for the promotion and support of the equine industry as they continue to lead and grow. The Minnesota Horse Council has actively supported the equine related pursuits of individuals for 20 years through the Tony Gasser Memorial Scholarships. ​ Tony Gasser was a well-known Minnesota Horseman and active in the Minnesota Horse Council. In his will he left money to start a scholarship fund to offer scholarships to students in equine-related fields. This was the beginning of the MHC/Tony Gasser Memorial Scholarships, back in 1984. ​In 1991, the Minnesota Horse Council determined that 5% of the total annual profits from the Minnesota Horse Expo should be dedicated to increasing these funds and increasing their investment of the horsemen of the next generation. In recent years, about 20% of the profits from the Minnesota Horse Expo have been given by the Minnesota Horse Council to deserving students in the form of academic scholarships. The Minnesota Horse Council offers this investment in the next generation through the yearly scholarship opportunities. Please see the scholarship application details in the document below. ​ Scholarship Application ​ ​ Past Scholarship Recipients The Minnesota Horse council would like to congratulate the recipients of the MHC/Tony Gasser Memorial Scholarships. the MHC recognizes these individuals for their hard work and wishes them the best on their future endeavors! 2023 Scholarship Winners Paige Gabrielson - Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Macy Hanks - University of Arkansas Morgan Schelske - University of Minnesota, Crookston 2022 Scholarship Winners Paige Gabrielson - Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Macy Hanks - University of Arkansas Morgan Schelske - University of Minnesota, Crookston 2021 Scholarship Winners Paige Gabrielson - Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Cameron Gallenberg - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Morgan Johnson - Southwest State University 2019 Scholarship Winners Kiera Balding - Carlton College McKenzie Cselovski - South Dakota State University Autumn Eggers - Kansas State University Hannah Eggert - University of Nebraska, Lincoln Paige Gabrielson - Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine Cameron Gallenberg - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Erin Halla - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Morgan Johnson - Minnesota West Community and Technical College Amanda Olson - University of Minnesota, Crookston Michaela Von Schenk - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine 2018 Scholarship Winners Kathryn Crum - University of Minnesota, Crookston Paige Gabrielson - University of Wisconsin, River Falls Cameron Gallenberg - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Kelsey Hagerty - North Dakota State University Erin Halla - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Charlotte Knopp - Mount Holyoke College Amanda Olson - University of Minnesota, Crookston Alexandra Resnick - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Katie Treadwell - Undecided Michaela Von Schenk - North Dakota State University Tori Winters - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine 2017 Scholarship Winners Kalley Christopherson - University of Wisconsin, River Falls Angie Esselman - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Paige Gabrielson - University of Wisconsin, River Falls Cameron Gallenberg - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Erin Halla - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Sabrina Hart - University of Wisconsin, River Falls Charlotte Knopp - Mount Holyoke College Alexandra Resnick - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine Morgan Schmidt - Ridgewater College Natasha Spiczka - University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine

Minnesota Horse Expo The Minnesota Horse Expo is a long-standing beloved event sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council which began in 1982. For 42 years, the Minnesota Horse Expo has offered a variety of vendors, exhibits, Equine clinicians/presenters, and many more exciting opportunities to educate horse owners and horse fans. Visitors can choose from clinics and lectures, demonstrations, vendor exhibits, walking through the horse barn, horse and pony rides, carriage rides and more. ​ The expo is a not-for-profit event sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council. The funds generated by the Expo are used support MHC's scholarships, grants, direct funding and trail improvement grants. Over the years, more than three million dollars has been raised at this event, primarily through the efforts of volunteers. Your support of the Minnesota Horse Expo has a significant impact on.... ​ Please visit the Minnesota Horse Expo website for information and the Minnesota Horse Expo Facebook page for highlights and updates on the upcoming Expo!