The American Horse Council Convention and Congressional Conference for 2003 will focus on education and how it can lead to advocacy.

The convention, set for April 5-8 in Washington, D.C., will feature state horse council meetings, panel discussions on a variety of topics, an awards luncheon, and a Congressional dinner. It will end with a Congressional breakfast that will give participants a chance to meet with legislators.

State horse council meetings will be held April 5-6. Advisory committees will meet April 6. On April 7, there will be several presentations and panel discussions on AHC initiatives, racing issues for the year, equine identification, tax regulations, lobbying, animal air transportation, medication, and West Nile virus.

Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chaffee is slated to be the keynote luncheon speaker on April 7. During the convention, the AHC will present its Van Ness Award to an individual who has shown dedication and commitment to the improvement of the horse industry at the state level, and its Rolapp Award to a member of Congress who has been particularly supportive of the horse industry