In a recent decision (Contender Farms/Mike McGartland vs United States Department of Agriculture), the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals negated USDA's authority to require USDA-certified horse industry groups, which inspect horses for signs of soring, to issue mandatory minimum penalties. As a result of this decision, the International Walking Horse Association has decided to no longer issue fines and/or suspensions for Horse Protection Act (HPA) violations. All violations of the HPA will be reported to show management. The HPA requires show management to disqualify horses from showing when they are found to be sore.