During the last several months, representatives of the AHSA and the USET have been engaged in a Strategic Planning Initiative (SPI). This process was undertaken at the direction of the USOC, whose Membership and Credentials Committee found that the AHSA, as the National Governing Body (NGB) of Equestrian, was not in compliance with the TED STEVENS OLYMPIC AND AMATEUR SPORTS ACT. The SPI was originally charged with developing a single model
for the governance of the sport, which would:

• Serve the best interest of the sport
  
• Satisfy the requirements of the TED STEVENS OLYMPIC AND AMATEUR SPORTS ACT, and the USOC constitution and Bylaws.
  
• Provide for sustained competitive excellence throughout the sport.

However, two widely dissimilar models of governance were developed within the SPI task force, which revealed two entirely different philosophies for the governance of the sport. In brief, the AHSA members of the SPI, in consultation with our affiliates, have developed a plan, which calls for the consolidation of the AHSA and the USET, while the USET members have called for the USET to stand alone as NGB. It is quite accurate to say that the enclosed AHSA plan is inclusive of every aspect of the Equestrian Sport, while the USET plan would exclude all but the elite athletes.

This plan envisions the consolidation of the AHSA and the USET into one organizational structure. This would clearly be in the best interest of the sport, as every horse-lover and horse-owner in the US would be connected to the elite athletes, in a seamless manner. This new organization would completely satisfy the TED STEVENS OLYMPIC AND AMATEUR SPORTS ACT, and the requirements of the USOC, since it brings under the control of one organization all of the many and varied duties and responsibilities of an NGB.

In addition, this proposal conforms to the guidelines of the FEDERATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONAL (FEI), and mirrors the organizational structure of other large, successful National Governing Bodies in the USOC family. Sustained competitive excellence throughout the sport is assured by the seamless integrated pathway, at no additional cost to athletes, members, exhibitors and organizers, from the grassroots (the true heart of the horse world) to the very tip of the pyramid. Due to the expanded size of the equestrian NGB, the full funding of the international competitive efforts is assured