The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the 2003 recipient of the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) Equine Welfare Award, the Lavin Cup. Named for AAEP past president A. Gary Lavin, VMD, the award is presented annually to a non-veterinary individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional compassion or developed and enforced rules and guidelines for the welfare of the horse. The award was presented during the AAEP’s 49th Annual Convention in New Orleans, La.,on Nov. 24.

The PRCA was selected for the Lavin Cup because of its dedication to protecting the health of the animals that participate in its events. The PRCA has made tremendous strides in recent years in uniting the rodeo industry regarding animal welfare issues as well as establishing detailed animal-use guidelines. To ensure the welfare of the animals, the PRCA employs a full-time animal welfare coordinator to administer its welfare program and regularly convenes the Humane Advisory Committee to review animal welfare issues. The PRCA also established a Veterinary Advisory Committee in 2001 and requires that a veterinarian be onsite at all PRCA-sanctioned events to inspect all animals prior to performance and to provide any needed onsite health care