On January 2, the American Paint Horse Association, along with several other organizations, filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn an August 22 verdict requiring the American Quarter Horse Association to register clones. AQHA is appealing the judgment.
The brief itself is not in support of or against the registration of cloned horses; rather, it cites concerns that the federal verdict inhibits an association’s right to adopt, administer, interpret and enforce its own rules.
“APHA filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of AQHA because we felt that the judge’s ruling put all breed associations at risk and in a position where we couldn’t make and enforce our own rules,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said.
Other organizations who echoed APHA’s support included the American Kennel Club, the American Morgan Horse Association, the Arabian Horse Association, The Cat Fanciers’ Association Inc., The Jockey Club, the Pinto Horse Association of America and the U.S. Trotting Association.
“We are extremely pleased with the brief and the excellent work of our legal team, and we look forward to presenting our case to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals,” AQHA stated on its website. A hearing in front of the appeals court has not yet been scheduled.
30-
About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.