International veterinarian, Rick Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, has been named to the American Horse Council (AHC) Board of Trustees. Mitchell has been involved in national and international equine competitions as both a rider and veterinarian. This summer’s Olympic Games in London will mark his fifth visit to the Olympics as an attending veterinarian for the U.S. Equestrian Team.

Mitchell will replace David O’Connor, president of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), on the AHC board. "David has been very important to the AHC board and we appreciate his service and counsel," noted Russell Williams, AHC chair.

"The AHC is very pleased to have Dr. Mitchell on the board," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "Dr. Mitchell has been chair of the AHC Health and Regulatory Committee for several years and provided great advice and experience. He is a real ‘two-for’ in that he has veterinary expertise in equine diseases and international experience at the highest level of competition. As the equine show world gets smaller, that is the type of experience the AHC is fortunate to have."

Mitchell was born in Greensboro, N.C., and lived there throughout childhood, participating in fox-hunting and hunter/jumper competitions into adulthood