AAEP Receives Prestigious ARCI Award

May 15, 2003

The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) presented its heralded May Award to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) during the group’s recent 69th Annual Convention in Seattle. The award is traditionally given to an individual or organization in racing for the highest level of service and contribution to the betterment of the racing sport.

The AAEP was singled out for its work in protecting and enhancing the health and welfare of the equine athlete. The AAEP was specifically lauded for its On Call program that assists nationally televised races as well as its “Herculean efforts” in bringing together racing industry stakeholders for the first-ever Racing Medication Summit in December 2001. This meeting proved to be the launching pad for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and its quest to achieve uniform national standards for medication and testing.

“The horse is at the center of the AAEP’s mission, and it is very gratifying to be recognized for our efforts on behalf of the equine athlete,” said David L. Foley, AAEP executive director. “We share this honor with the many veterinarians who have worked tirelessly to make these initiatives so successful.”

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its 6,500 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.