Last Tuesday's annual general meeting in Brisbane saw Australian Reined Cow Horse Association Inc. board member Andrew Deacon sworn in as president, with barrister and Australian Campdraft Association Inc. councillor Harvey Walters as vice president.

Newly appointed QHC chief executive officer, Dr Fiona Thompson, said the board comprised a diverse group of people with a broad range of equine interests.

"The members are spread throughout south east Queensland and northern Queensland, which gives a good representation of the whole state," she said.

Dr Thompson said she and the board were looking forward to working with key Federal and State stakeholders, including the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) to act on the concerns of the council’s members and horse owners at large.

"There are many important issues that the board is working on including the Hendra virus, an emergency response plan and forest trail access for horse riders," she said.

The other board members elected are organisation representatives Lorraine Dekker (secretary), Debbie Dekker (treasurer), John Green, Nell Maundrell and Wayne Hingst, and individual members Linda Nielsen and Rick Morris.