The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) voted Tuesday to approve the International Walking Horse Association (IWHA) as an eligible Horse Industry Organization (HIO) available for use by the  Kentucky Walking Horse Breeders’ Incentive Fund (KWH-BIF). Approval was based on recommendations presented by the KHRC Rules Committee.

“It’s very important that we continue to pay close attention to the walking horse breed and make certain that every organization involved fulfills the obligations set forth by the Commission to determine if the breeders’ incentive funds should be awarded,” said Edward S. Bonnie, KHRC commissioner.

In September of last year, the Commission approved the Rules Committee recommendations, which included the use of three HIOs. Earlier this year it was determined one of the HIOs could no longer fulfill the required duties. The Rules and Non-Race Advisory Committee opened the application up to any United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved HIO. HIOs are certified by the USDA and hired by walking horse show managers to enforce the Horse Protection Act (HPA).

Following the receipt of information and related materials, the committee heard presentation from the IWHA, Kentucky Walking Horse (Ky-HIO) and SHOW-HIO.  Based on those presentations and after examining all related materials, the Rules Committee recommended the IWHA be approved to fulfill the required HIO duties for shows eligible to earn points through the KWH-BIF.