Resources

Joint Leadership Council Industry Re-Opening Resources

The Joint Leadership Council has developed a FAQ Best Practices for Operating Competitions and condensed COVID-19 Barn and Horse Show Re-Opening Resources directory to assist members with navigating these valuable guidance resources and important information. JLC produced these additional tools to help our horse show organizers and community leaders that are working to develop re-opening plans for competitions, lesson programs and other equine activities in our industry. We are proud to continue to work with members, volunteers, and our leadership to address the concerns, protocols, and procedures of re-opening our industry in the wake of COVID-19 and make updates to our resources.

FAQ: JLC Best Practices for Operating Competitions

JLC Barn and Horse Show Re-Opening Resources

The Joint Leadership Council would like to share a Suggested Best Practices for Operating Barns in the COVID-19 Environment along with suggested templates for an Equine Industry Re-Opening Plan Presentation to Legislative Leaders and Equine Industry Re-Opening Plan Letter Legislative Leaders in your state or region. We hope that the Suggested Best Practice document will help fulfill an immediate need for many of our members working to create barn procedures and policies for re-opening. The templates for communicating re-opening plans to legislative leaders are provided to give a working framework for community leaders working on behalf of their local and regional businesses to present a re-opening plan to their state and local governments. These documents were put together through the dedicated efforts of the Joint Leadership Council, the Industry Re-Opening Task Force, Kristen Cater, Courtney Cahill, and Tiffany Wheeler for barn operators in the trotting breed community. We worked across our associations and regional leadership from each of our respective breeds to review recommendations from the federal and state health authorities to develop these recommendations. We hope that these recommendations can help in your preparations and decision-making regarding re-opening your barns and equine businesses.

You will find the Best Practices document, presentation, and letter template below.

JLC Suggested Best Practices for Operating Barns in the COVID-19 Environment

JLC Suggested Equine Industry Re-Opening Plan Presentation to Legislative Leaders (Template)

JLC Suggested Equine Industry Re-Opening Plan Letter to Legislative Leaders (Template)

The Joint Leadership Council would like to share a Recommended Best Practices for Operating Competitions in the COVID-19 Environment along with a survey that was prepared by the JLC Industry Re-Opening Task Force for horse show organizers in the trotting breed community. We have worked across each of our associations and show leadership from each of our respective breeds to review recommendations from the federal and state health authorities as well as surveying our collective membership base to develop these recommendations. We hope that these recommendations can help in your preparations and decision-making in regards to upcoming horse shows.

You will find the Best Practices document and results for the member survey available below.

JLC Waiver and Release of Liability Form (PDF)

JLC Waiver and Release of Liability Form (Word)

JLC Industry Task Force Re-Opening Horse Show Survey 1 Results

JLC Industry Task Force Re-Opening Horse Show Survey 2 Results

Joint Leadership Council COVID-19 Task Force Guidance

During this time of unprecedented national health and financial disaster caused by the pandemic coronavirus (COVID-10), the JLC leadership established a task force to assist the memberships of the JLC groups in identifying resources to provide financial assistance to their operations. This guidance is an overview of resources available as of this date and the task force will endeavor to update it as federal government websites update their information and/or additional funds or programs are made available. Please continue to review the linked websites for updates. This guidance should not be taken as business, legal, or tax advice. Please work immediately and directly with your existing lenders, banks, accountants, and tax and legal advisors to determine the best course of action for your specific financial and business situation. BE AWARE OF SCAMS OR SCHEMES THAT OFFER TO ASSIST YOU – ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE ASKING FOR MONEY OR BANK ACCOUNT INFORMATION FROM YOU UP-FRONT!!
JLC Task Force Guidance Document here

Joint Leadership Council Emergency Grants

The JLC is working on raising dollars for a Horsemen’s Relief Fund. This Relief Fund will be specially earmarked within the UPHA’s Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund to be distributed to horse trainers and instructors who are financially distressed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One hundred percent of all donations will be distributed; no amounts will be paid for administrative costs or staffing.

There has long been the UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund (DHBF) for UPHA Professional Members of 2 plus years in need of assistance due to natural disasters. To help provide assistance to the horsemen that do not meet that membership requirement the JLC has started the JLC Horsemen’s Relief Fund. There is an infographic available below to help you navigate what grant you should apply. Applicants can only apply to ONE fund. Applicants with member history and current members as of March 1, 2020, will be given first consideration. Applications will be accepted until July 1, 2020.
- What Grant Do I Apply For? Refer to the JLC Infographic available here.
- UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund Grant Application (for current UPHA Professional Members of 2+ years)
  - UPHA Professional Members that meet the minimum two consecutive years of active membership requirement need to apply for aid using the UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund Application.
- JLC Horsemen's Relief Fund Grant Application (for non or new UPHA Members)
  - Horse trainers, instructors, independent contractors, and other members who are financially distressed, such as horse show staff, that do not meet the minimum two-year active UPHA Professional membership criteria for the UPHA Dewey Henderson Benevolent Fund, you will need to apply using the JLC Horsemen’s Relief Fund Application.

U.S. Small Business Administration Loans

Provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters. Currently, they are offering a Paycheck Protection Program to help and encourage small businesses to maintain their payroll with up to 100% being eligible for loan forgiveness if businesses are able to maintain all employees on payroll for eight weeks.
- Find more information on the SBA Paycheck Protection Program here
- Paycheck Protection Program Fact Sheet here
- Paycheck Protection Program Application here
- Find more information on the SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans here.
- Find a Local Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Location here

Other Resources

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guides:
- Small Business Guide & Checklist here.
- Guide to SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans here.

American Horse Council's Tax Bulletin- March 2020
- Congress, President Deliver $2 Trillion Relief Package, Address Many Horse Industry Concerns here

Information on the Tax Aspects of the Coronavirus Relief Act here

Contact your lender and loan service provider to find out what options are available to you such as: refinance, loan modification, new repayment plan or forbearance.

Better Business Bureau-Business Tips: How to Navigate the Coronavirus Crisis.