Do you know someone who works hard to make the world a better place for horses? Consider submitting a nomination for the EQUUS Foundation’s 2017 Humanitarian Award.
Past Winners
Last year’s Humanitarian Award recipient was Suzanne Marquard, founder of GallopNYC. Marquard’s organization provides therapeutic horsemanship at five locations around the greater New York City area. Additionally GallopNYC gives city-dwellers the opportunity to experience the joy of horses through recreational riding lessons. Marquard herself is not just the organization’s leader, but remains a hands-on member of the group as a certified therapeutic riding instructor.
In 2015, Anna Ford was given the Humanitarian Award honor. Ford and her mother, Dot Morgan, launched New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program out their family farm in 1992. Today, New Vocations has facilities in three states and is one of the most well respected rehoming and aftercare organizations for both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds.
The Equine Welfare Committee of the American Saddlebred Horse Association received the award in 2014. They were nominated for their successful efforts to identify and assist horses at risk of ending up in bad situations. Their “My Meadows” initiative gives former owners the chance to step in and provide a forever home if a past horse ends up in a rescue situation.
Submit a Nomination
Nominations for the 2017 Humanitarian Award will be accepted through October 30. The submission must include a written statement of how the nominee’s work fits the criteria of the award, including specific examples of their work. They should also include biographical information about the nominee and testimonials, letters, or other supporting materials that help illustrate how the nominee’s work has helped to improve the lives of horses.
Visit www.equusfoundation.org/humanitarian to find out more and submit a nomination.
Leslie Potter is a writer and photographer based in Lexington, Kentucky. www.lesliepotterphoto.com
If you are still taking nominations, I have two in my area that are rescues and have gone to great lengths to save slaughter horses. Lanya Clinard at Safe Landing Thoroughbred Rescue and Julie DeMuesy at Dreamcatchers here in Colorado Springs. They have both worked tirelessly and sacrificially to help animals that no one wanted. Some have been neglected, some abuse and all in need of medical care. Julie takes the old ones that no one wants and gives them a forever home to live out their last years. She also saves lots of other animals.