AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL DIRECTORY AVAILABLE The 1992-93 Horse Industry Directory is now available from the American Horse Council. According to a Council spokesman, the directory is the most comprehensive of its kind, containing 171 pages of newly revised, ulxtated and expanded information on organizations from virtually very segment of the horse industry. Names, addresses and phone numbers of state horse councils; publicalions; racing showing, rodeo organizations; extension specialists; and breed associations are included in this directory. Costoftlm 1992-93 Horse Industry Directory is $15. It is free to members of the Horse Council. To order a copy of the 1992-93 Horse IndnsuyDirectory, please make checks payable to the American Horse Council for $15 and mail to: American Horse Council, 1700 K Street, NW #300, Washington, DC 2006. ffyou have questions regarding the directory or would like information on joining the American Horse Council, please write to the above address or call 202-296-4031.
PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS WITHHOLDING TAX CHANGE INTO LAW One of the most nettlesome federal requirements on racing, the withholding
Volume13, Number1, 1993
tax on gambling winnings, has finally been changed by Congress and signed law by the President The American Horse Council has been working on changing this provision for many years. The provision was instituted in 1977," saidAHC PresidentR. RichardsRolapp. The Internal Revenue Code presently requires racetracks to withhold 20% of any winning wagers where the payoff is over $I,000 and the odds are 300 to 1 or higher. The new code which takes effect on January 1, 1993, raises the tax from 20% to 28% and the threshold at which it applies from $1,000 to $5,000. The rate increase also applies to winnings from state lotteries. The change gives pari-mutuel racing parity with state lotteries with respect to withholding. "Although the tax rate is raised 8%, the increase inthe threshold to $5,000 is vely beneficial," according to Rolapp. "We estimate that the increase in the threshold will eliminate 96% of all withholdingtransactions and that the amount of the money withheld will be mdaced by 70%
CONFERENCEON STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH ANIMAL RIGHTSACTIVISTS The Horsemen's Council of Illinois and the American Horse Council's State Horse Council Committee are presenting a day-long conference entitled "Defensive Strategies for Dealing with Animal Rights Activists" on Saturday, Febmmy 6, 1993 atthe Oak Brook Mafiott in Oak Brook, Illinois. The conference is intended for anyone who might be a target of animal rights activists. The conference will include an "Are You Media Ready?" presentation
by Myma Pedersen and Joan McGrath of Pedersen/McGrath Associates, Ltd., the leading authorities on animal rights activists and the media. You will learn as Pedersen/ McGmth create a simulated television interview program: • pitfalls that the uninitiated face when they "meet the press." • important media skills needed to get your message across to the public through the media, • how to get your points across in possible hostile situations such as a television interview, radio talk show, legislative hearing and animal rights activists confrontations, • do's and don'ts of dealing with the media that will be applicable in any situation, whether hostile or friendly. • how to present a posilive image of the indusuy rather than a defensive and negative posture. There will be a questionand answer sessions. And the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences in dealing with animal rights activism. Anyone who might be the target of animal fights activists should consider attending this session. This includes directors, managers and operations personnel for events (state fairs, county fairs, breed shows, rodeo), breed associations state horse councils, farm buream, livestock facilities, animal science and research departments of universifies, race Wacks,veterinary schools, or any event, activity or business that includes the use of animals. Cost of the conference is $50 and includes all sessions and handouts. For further information, please write to Joy Meierhans, Horsemen's Council of Illinois, 43W734 Old Midlothian Tpk., Elbum, IL 60119 orcaU 708-557-2575.
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