Page 14 - Demo

privileges within the Town's Desert Rural zoning district to thosewho had been stripped of it by prior administrations.Rodney understood why. He understood that preservinghorse privileges was really about preserving property rights, preserving community character, and preserving a way of life.There was no political advantage to supporting the issue. Therewere no headlines to be gained. No campaign contributions tocollect. Rodney simply recognized that horses mattered in ourcommunity and the impact the industry has on all of Arizona.He listened. He understood the issue. Together we restoredand preserved those rights.Across Arizona, ranchers, breeders, trainers, veterinarians,farriers, feed suppliers, transportation companies, tack manufacturers, boarding facilities, rodeo producers and countless othersmall businesses rely on the horse, and together form a pillar ofour economy.Horse owners support local restaurants, local retailers, localcontractors and local service providers. Rodeos, horse shows,team ropings, trail riding activities and children%u2019s equine programs generate millions of dollars of economic activity throughout Arizona every year.Whether it is WestWorld in Scottsdale, Horseshoe Park inQueen Creek, a local jackpot roping or Prescott%u2019s Rodeo, horsescontinue to drive economic activity throughout our state.Protecting Arizona's horse community protects Arizona jobs,and it requires protecting access to open space. Arizona possesses some of the finest horseback riding opportunities in America. From the Sonoran Desert to the White Mountains, horsemenenjoy access to an incredible network of public lands and trails.Yet access should never be taken for granted.In late 2025, portions of the Lower Salt River area were temporarily closed to horses and other equines following concernsinvolving Vesicular Stomatitis within the Salt River wild horseherd. While the closure was implemented as a disease controlmeasure, it served as a reminder that access can be restrictedquickly and sometimes with little notice.As Arizona grows, conflicts involving recreation, conservation, development and public land access will only become morecommon.Horse owners need leaders who understand that horsebackriding is not an afterthought. It is a legitimate and historic useof Arizona's public lands.We need leaders who understand that horsemen deserve avoice when decisions affecting public access are being made.Rodney understands that. He also understands one of themost important issues facing Arizona's future: water.Unlike any other candidate for Attorney General, Rodney possesses a PhD in Arid Land Resource Sciences focused on waterand natural resource issues. That matters.Water affects every ranch, every boarding facility, every haygrower and every other citizen of Arizona.The future of horse ownership in Arizona will depend heavilyupon how Arizona manages growth, conservation, agricultureand water resources.Few candidates possess Rodney's level of expertise in thoseareas. But understanding horses and rural Arizona is only partof the equation.%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f%u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f%u000f %u000f %u000f14 Arizona Horse Connection July, 2026continued on page 16