February 5, 2024 (Lexington, KY) – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has appointed Bethany Erb to serve as the organization’s Director of Public Affairs, effective today. With over eighteen years of experience in government affairs and stakeholder engagement, Erb brings a depth of expertise to a role integral to the advancement of HISA’s mission. 
“Bethany’s experience on Capitol Hill and with leading national-level and grassroots advocacy efforts make her an excellent choice for this role; we are confident that her skills will be invaluable in advancing HISA’s mission,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “She shares HISA’s core values and unwavering commitment to the advancement of Thoroughbred racing, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
“I deeply respect the important work HISA is doing to protect equine athletes, jockeys, and the future of the sport,” said HISA Director of Public Affairs Bethany Erb. “Horses and equestrian sports have been an integral part of my life since childhood and I am excited to be part of this organization and help further its mission.”
As HISA’s Director of Public Affairs, Erb will leverage her extensive experience to manage HISA’s engagement with policymakers and other stakeholders in Washington, D.C. and around the country, including the Federal Trade Commission, as well as various advocacy groups inside and outside of horse racing.
Prior to joining HISA, Erb served as Director of Government Affairs at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF &amp; QF), the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to upland habitat conservation. At PF &amp; QF, she spearheaded the organization’s national advocacy, policy and communication interests. Erb has a proven track record of building and leading successful stakeholder coalitions and has been appointed twice to serve on the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council which advises the federal government on issues related to habitat conservation and the outdoor sporting industry. She also has held positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, and the Land Trust Alliance. Erb earned a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness from California Polytechnic State University. She is a Montana native and lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her family.
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About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect on July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which went into effect on May 22, 2023.
The Racetrack Safety Program includes operational safety rules and national racetrack accreditation standards that seek to enhance equine welfare and minimize equine and jockey injury. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes surface maintenance and testing requirements, enhances jockey safety, regulates riding crop use and implements voided claim rules, among other important measures.
The ADMC Program includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Mandy Minger
<a href="mailto:mandy.minger@hisaus.org">mandy.minger@hisaus.org</a>
917-846-8804