What is the Horse Industry Board?

The Virginia Horse Industry Board was established in 1994 as the result of legislation and a statewide referendum. The Board is responsible for the promotion and economic development of the horse industry in Virginia and operates through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

How is the Horse Industry Board funded?

Activities of the Board are supported by the Virginia Horse Industry Promotion and Development fund. As assessment of $1.50 on each Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins) Test performed in the state generates money for the fund.

Additionally, the Horse Board receives funding annually from an equine feed checkoff.

Equine Feed Checkoff: Following the conducting of a statewide referendum in the spring of 2006 and its subsequent passage, an equine feed checkoff went into effect July 1, 2006.  This calls for equine feed manufacturers to pay $3 per ton or 7∏ cents per 50-lb. bag of equine feed sold in Virginia. This fee is collected annually by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and goes into an equine feed checkoff fund which is administered by the Virginia Horse Industry Board.

Monies collected for the checkoff are significant; for example, following collection of these checkoff monies for 2009, a total of $186,300.91 was remitted by feed manufacturers to the Virginia Horse Industry Board. The Horse Board uses these funds solely for grants and $174,882.41 from this revenue source was expended this past fiscal year for these grants.

What does the Board do?

The Board promotes the Virginia horse industry through a variety of activities and programs including the publication of free informational materials and materials for children, trade shows, and various sponsorships through its grant program. Each year, the Board reviews grant proposals and considers projects in the areas of education, marketing, and research. The Board has supported economic impact studies, educational seminars, and projects such as the Virginia State 4-H Horse Show. To date, the Board has awarded over $800,000 in grants to promote the horse industry in the state.

Who sits on the Board?

The Presidents of the Virginia Horse Council, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, the Virginia Horse Shows Association, and the Virginia Quarter Horse Association sit on the twelve member board. In addition, the Governor appoints members from nominations made by the horse industry from commercial or professional services within the industry and from other state breed and use organizations. Also serving on the Board are the Commisioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Horse Extension Specialist from Virginia Tech.

How often does the Board meet?

The Board meets 3-4 times a year at various locations around the state and meeting notices are published in advance in The Virginia Register. All meetings are open to the public. If you would like information on an upcoming meeting or directions, please contact the Virginia Horse Industry Board Office.

VHIB Board Members

Diana Dodge
Nokomis Farm
Montpelier, VA

Sandy Gerald
President,
Virginia Horse Shows Association
Buena Vista, VA

Beryl Herzog
Old Dominion Morgan Horse Association
Beaverdam, VA

Eleanor Jones
Virginia Arabian Horse Association Disputanta, VA

Sally Lamb
President,
Virginia Horse Council
Gordonsville, VA

Harold McKenzie, III, DVM
Professor of Equine Medicine
Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center | Leesburg, VA

David Sanders, Chairman
President, Battlefield Equestrian Center
Centreville, VA

Gene Stone
VA Quarter Horse Association
Stuart, VA

Shea Porr, PhD
Assistant Professor of Equine Science, VA Tech MARE Center | Middleburg, VA

Julie Chlopecki, Vice-Chair
McLean, VA

Wayne Chatfield-Taylor
President,
Virginia Thoroughbred Association
Front Royal

Matt Lohr
Commissioner, VDACS