The American Horse Council’s (AHC) National Issues Forum, "Reinvigorating the Horse Industry," will feature updates on several important initiatives undertaken by major organizations in the last year. The forum will be held June 26 in Washington, DC, during the AHC’s annual meeting, which will run June 25-27 at the Washington Court Hotel.

"Many industry leaders are concerned with the decline in horse ownership and the falling trend in public interest in our various activities," said AHC president Jay Hickey. "Several organizations are striving to rebuild the fan base and attract young people to the magic of horses. We are very pleased to have The Jockey Club and the American Quarter Horse Association outline their ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the horse industry."

James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, will provide an update on The Jockey Club’s multi-year plan to implement many of the wide-ranging recommendations that emanated from The Jockey Club’s comprehensive economic study of the Thoroughbred industry in 2011.

That study, "Driving Sustainable Growth for Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding," analyzed the current state and prospective future of Thoroughbred racing and breeding in North America. Since its release last August, The Jockey Club has been undertaking the various recommendations, including: increased television coverage of racing, a new interactive website for fans, the creation of a free-to-play game and a social game, and development of a new resource to encourage Thoroughbred ownership