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Direct Funding The Minnesota Horse Council Direct Funding Program will send a check for up to $500 to any non-profit horse-related organization to help cover the expenses of a program or activity they organize which advances the goals of the Minnesota Horse Council . ​ There is no specific deadline for submitting requests for funding; requests will be evaluated as they are received. Our goal is to complete this evaluation and send a letter of acceptance or rejection to the submitter within 30 day s of receiving the request. Direct Funding awards are normally paid after the project is completed. This will be arranged between the recipient and the Horse Council Treasurer. ​ Direct Funding awards must be used within 6 months. Your organization can only receive this funding once per year. ​ Direct Funding Application

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 !

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 ​ ​ ​

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 .

Aisle of Breeds The Minnesota Horse Council and the Minnesota Horse Expo, in conjunction with the Minnesota State Fair, has a display in the south entrance to the Horse Barn during the Minnesota State Fair. We have ten stalls (one for supplies) that are decorated for the event. Horse owners volunteer to bring different breeds of horses to the Aisle of Breeds (at no charge) for display and for the general public to view and learn more about the different breeds of horses. Horses usually stay from one to three days. ​ A current Coggins test is required (and a Health Certificate if out of state - except Wisconsin). The owner of the animal (horses, mules, and donkeys) are encouraged to have a table and chairs in front of stalls to provide breed information, and where the horse is from. TV's are welcome. Two State Fair tickets are given each day to the animal owners and there is free parking for horse trailers (no motor homes). The State Fair for 2024 is August 22nd through September 2nd. If you are interested in participating contact Gayle Belden Email gaylebelden@mnhorsecouncil.org . ​

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. ​ ​ ​

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Recognition The Minnesota Horse Council recognizes and honors outstanding individuals and horses in the Minnesota equine community through the awards listed below. Horse Person of the Year Horse of the Year Pioneer Award

Certified Rescue As aid to those individuals that want to donate time, money or resources to equine rescue facilities, the Minnesota Horse Council believes it is imperative to identify and recognize rescues that meet standards of care. In order to become certified, a rescue facility must show they have non-profit status (501 (c) (3)) and that they meet or exceed the AAEP guidelines for equine rescues and retirement facilities. The guidelines are available at aaep.org . The Minnesota Horse Council lists the following stables and rescue organizations that meet its certification guidelines but does not warrant or endorse these organizations for any other purpose. To date, these rescue organizations have met our standards: ​ Sundown Horse Shelter in Hugo www.sundownhorserescue.org Contact: Cherie Mackenzie MN Hooved Animal Rescue in Zimmerman www.mnhoovedanimalrescue.org Contact: Drew Fitzpatrick MN Retired Racehorse Project in Savage Contact: Jen Selvig This Old Horse at Wishbone Ranch in Hastings www.thisoldhorse.org/wishbone-ranch Contact: Nancy Turner ​ Haven Acres in Hampton https://www.havenacresmn.org contact: Jennifer Heath ​ ​​ ​ If you are a rescue facility that would like to be certified, please review the guidelines at aaep.org and then email our Certified Rescues Program by phone at 763-755-7729 or by mail at: P.O. Box 96 Monticello, MN 55362-0096

Program Activities The Minnesota Horse Council facilitates activities that promote and improve the Minnesota equine community through program activities listed below. Certified Stables Certified Rescues Trails MN High School Equestrian Association Aisle of Breeds MN Horse Expo Minnesota Horse Council Foundation

Certified Stables The Certified Stables program was established to facilitate through established standards and continuing education the improvement of quality and safety in the stable industry in Minnesota. Moreover, the program acts as a resource and liaison between the horse industry and other areas of agriculture to decrease the costs and increase the quality of products for the stable owners. ​ When a stable becomes certified through the Minnesota Horse Council, they receive a sign to post at their barn, are listed on this website and in the program given to all Mn Horse Expo attendees as certified. Each stable can also advertise themselves as a Minnesota Horse Council Certified Stable. Description of a Certified Stable: A certified stable is concerned with the care of the horse and maintains the facility in order to meet the standards of the Certified Stable Program. The stable managers are proud of their facilities and are constantly seeking ways to improve. Criteria evaluated to achieve certification include the following categories: Condition of animals on the premises Condition of shelter facilities Fire Safety Feed and forage selection and maintenance Condition of paddocks and pastures Plans for prevention & treatment of contagious diseases ​ Goals of the Certified Stable Program: Facilitate through established standards and continuing education the improvement of quality and safety in the stable industry in Minnesota. Act as a resource and liaison between the horse industry and other areas of agriculture to decrease the costs and increase the quality of products for the stable owner. ​ Steps to become a Certified Stable:​ Review our evaluation criteria. (See Application Form) Fill out the Application Form. (See Application Form) Contact the Minnesota Horse Council for an inspection ​ When applying for certification, stables may be certified, not certified, or placed on a plan of improvement. Stables placed on a plan of improvement have the right to appeal the evaluation by contacting the Chairperson of the Certified Stable Program and scheduling a re-inspection. If you are interested in participating contact Gayle Belden at gaylebelden@mnhorsecouncil.org . Only stables in Minnesota can be certified. Rescue facilities or those affiliated with rescues do not qualify for Certification through the MHC Certified Stable Program. (They have their own MHC Certified Rescue program) ​ Certified Stables Application 2024 Certified Stables List

Pioneer Award The Minnesota Horse Council honors worthy individuals posthumously with the Pioneer Award, and places his or her photo on a special wall in the Coliseum on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for that year. The person to be nominated should be special, someone who has contributed in the past to the horse industry in Minnesota, and who was a model for others. ​ Of course, the Minnesota Horse Council directors do not know all the horse people from the past, so the person who is selected for the Pioneer Award is usually nominated by one or more people who did know them and recognized the nominee as worthy of this honor. ​ Some Selection Criteria: Long term, serious commitment to equine activity in Minnesota. May be either professional or amateur horseperson. Should have contributed in many areas, for example, western shows, English show, 4-H, Little Britches or High-school rodeo, trails, carriage driving, equestrian legislation, clinics, or other equine related activities. (This should be not just within a single breed or discipline, but many areas.) Usually the individual will have been a horse owner for many years, although it certainly is not a requirement. (They could have worked "behind the lines" to great achievement.) The individual is deceased. The nominee had excellent character. The individual will likely be remembered by members of many horse-related groups, and perhaps even by the general population. ​ Application Procedures Write a letter nominating that special individual. Clearly indicate reasons why the person meets the above requirements. Be accurate; facts will be checked. Include only information that you personally know about, don't repeat "stories" about this person unless you were there when it happened. Ask others who knew the individual to also send letters telling why they think the person should be given the Pioneer Award. But don't flood the committee with similar letters. Try to get letters from people who can give other examples of why the person should be selected. Ask people from other breeds or equine disciplines to send in letters. Board Resolutions from equine organizations are also acceptable, but it's often more impressive to the committee if instead each member takes a minute to write down one personal example that shows why they think the individual should be selected. Include in the letter contact info for the family member(s) who will be available to accept the award (their name, current address and phone number (including area code), and email (if they have one).) Send your letter to this address (postmarked by July 1st): ​ Pioneer Horseman Award Committee Minnesota Horse Council P.O. Box 96 Monticello, MN 55362-0096 ​ or email Pioneer@MnHorseCouncil.org Past Pioneer Award Recipients The Minnesota Horse council is honored to r ecognizes the Pioneer Award recipients for their legacy and lasting impact their lives have had on the individuals as well as the horse industry . 2024 - 2023 - Tom Tweeten 2022 - Melvin (Bud) Dorsey 2021- Bill Villella 2021- Nancy Elizabeth (Eastman) Duggan 2019- Gloria Enger 2018- Vic Myers 2016- Lloyd Landkamer 2015- Barb Ahrens 2015- Reed Kettlewell 2015- Irv Parker 2013- Louise “WeeZee” Miner 2012- Larry Oatman 2011- Walt Westman 2011- Richard F Bol 2011- Selmer Jacobson 2010- Lyle Anderson 2009- Norm Strohfus 2008- Stanley D. Sahlstrom 2007- Earle Dickinson 2006- Bill Robbins 2005- Max Bon Bluecher 2004- Ronald Charles Davis 2002- Paul John Riley 2001- Daniel Gainey 2001- Wade Page