Horses sored - Harrisonburg, VA

Tuesday, Feb 29, 2000

County: Harrisonburg City

Disposition: USDA Citation

Person of Interest: William T Ruark

In March 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Shenandoah Valley Horsemen's Association and William Ruark of Harrisonburg, Va., have settled charges of Horse Protection Act violations.

"If horse industry organizations wish to continue HPA self-enforcement practices, they must not allow sored horses into their shows," said W. Ron DeHaven, deputy administrator for animal care with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area. "If we find that management of a gaited horse show is letting sored horses compete, we will take appropriate actions."

William Ruark and the Shenandoah Valley Horsemen's Association are both disqualified for 12 months from judging or managing any horse show, horse exhibition, horse sale, or auction.

William Ruark is the chairman of the SVHA.

References

• USDA - March 30, 2000

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