The SHOW HIO has received several calls from horse show management regarding an increase in the DQP fees for the 2016 show season.  There have been no changes to the fees or expenses charged by SHOW for DQPs.  The fees have remained $200/session and $0.50 mile.

The only increase in 2016 by SHOW was for the inspection fee, which went from $25 per horse to $30 per horse.  SHOW continues to give $15 of every inspection fee to PSHA for help with legal, lobbying and public relations costs for the welfare of the industry.  The lawsuit won in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturning the USDA Minimum Penalty Protocol and the current lawsuit challenging the penalty schemes and publishing of lists of violators who have not had their full due process afforded them under the HPA are examples of lawsuits for the betterment of the industry at large.

In addition the industry has two lobbyists working daily to combat the over 15 lobbyists being utilized by the Humane Society of the United States to pass the PAST Act that would eliminate the HIOs as well as eliminate the use of any pad or action device.  The PAST Act had over 300 sponsors in the previous Congress, yet it did not pass nor come for a vote.  In addition, the industry has had legislation introduced with alternative amendments to the Act that would allow for objective testing to determine compliance with the HPA.  These objectives and two lobbyists are funded by the $15 per inspection fee that SHOW gives to PSHA.