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I INTRODUCTION <br />OVERVIEW <br />The horse industry is highly diverse, supporting a wide range of activities in each region <br />of the country. A recerit report prepared by the American Horse Council, 0 The <br />Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry in the United States" estimated that the <br />horse industry contributes $40 billion annually to the gross domestic product and <br />provides 460,000 full time equivalent jobs. In Washington State, horse ownership Is <br />woven into the fabric of the state•s history and essence. In terms of horse ownership, <br />Washington. with over 250,000 horses, ranks eleventh among the states in the nation In <br />total number of horses and ranks among the top states In the number of horses per . <br />capita. Annually Washington facilities host hundreds of small, medium and large s·caIe <br />events. The equestrian community finds toat no satisfactory facilities exist to handle <br />the highest quality or mufti-state events •. Most existing facilities offer limited 9Spacity, <br />older buildings and poor access (WSPRC Memo.) <br />Horse shows and western events are basic parts of the horse industry ~ Shows vary by <br />breed and type of event, each ·requiring specific facilities in which to conduct the <br />activity. The shows range from small. o~e-day local shows to large, muHi-d;ay national <br />and international exhibitions and activities. In the past decade, new facilities have been <br />developed in many locations around the country: Virginia, ~entucky, North Carolina, <br />Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. <br />National Trends <br />We have three sources for N~tion Trends in horse shows; the number .of horses and <br />horses involved in .shows for 1996 and 2005 (American Horse Council Foundation),. <br />2000-2005 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) data (http:f/www.usef.org), and <br />8