United States Pony Clubs Becomes the 23rd Recipient of the Prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award
The United States Pony Clubs (USPC) was named and honored as the 2024 Equine Industry Vision Award Winner at the AHP Equine Media Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, May 17, at a breakfast sponsored by Zoetis.
“We are so honored at the United States Pony Clubs to receive the prestigious Equine Industry Vision Award,” said Teresa Woods, Executive Director of the United States Pony Clubs. “To receive this recognition for outstanding leadership, innovation, creativity, and for Pony Club’s contribution and service toward positive changes in the equine industry just speaks to all we have been striving for over the past 70 years. We are planning to continue our original founders’ mission of providing excellence in equestrian education, now to riders of all ages. We will continue working to help members become skilled equestrians and the future leaders of tomorrow—both within the horse industry and beyond.”
Founded in 1954 as a youth organization to teach safe riding and the proper care of horses, the nonprofit educational organization is celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2024. USPC has evolved over the years, and new programs are continuously added—including a points program and virtual competitions starting in 2025.
During the United States Pony Club’s 70 years of history, the organization has:
- Created the most comprehensive horse care and management curriculum within the United States, with a foundation based on education, safety, teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, and fun.
- Developed Standards of Proficiency and curriculum for its certification tracks, which include a track for Horse Management and six additional certification tracks covering both English and Western disciplines. This allows for a customizable journey for members. USPC has certified more than 16,500 equestrians at the highest levels of equestrian sport.
- Pioneered the way on safety, leading in helmet research and regulations within the United States. USPC has focused on safety in every area of its program throughout its history.
- Provided 10 disciplines for members to compete in with education and resources in an additional six disciplines.
- Developed the USPC Festival event, which takes place every two years, with up to 3,500 people in attendance to compete at Championships, learn from Education modules, get started with D Camp, volunteer, or spectate.
- Added riding centers into the well-established club system to allow those without a horse to get involved in USPC.
To learn more about the United States Pony Clubs, visit https://www.ponyclub.org/
American Horse Publications partnered with Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) to develop the award in 2001.
The Equine Industry Vision Award (EIVA) has honored 18 individuals and 5 organizations that exemplify outstanding visionary achievements or sustained contributions that have profoundly impacted the equine industry. This distinguished award is a unique opportunity to publicly acknowledge ingenuity, originality, and effective innovation that exemplifies commitment, dedication, and service to this industry.
Details on the 2025 Equine Vision Industry Award are available in the Fall.
About American Horse Publications
American Horse Publications is dedicated to excellence in equine media through education and communication. AHP strives to be the primary source of education, resources, and networking for the equine media community. We believe a proactive approach in an ever-evolving communications-driven world allows us the flexibility and opportunity to promote, support, and reward excellence in equine media. For more information, visit the AHP website at www.americanhorsepubs.org
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Finalists for the 2024 Equine Industry Vision Award Announced
Zoetis presents the 2024 winner at the AHP Return to Horse Country Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 17
Since 2002, the Equine Industry Vision Award (EIVA) has honored 18 individuals and four organizations that exemplify outstanding visionary achievements or sustained contributions that have profoundly impacted the equine industry.
A committee of six equine industry professionals narrowed a field of 17 nominations to the following four finalists. One will become the 23rd recipient of the Equine Industry Vision Award. The award recognizes ingenuity and service to the equine industry by inspiring these qualities in others. The 2024 finalists include:
Equine Affaire, premier equine exposition, and equestrian gathering since 1994
Glenn Hebert, founder of the Horse Radio Network, the largest online podcast network for horse lovers worldwide, hosts one of the longest-running daily podcasts in the world, Horses in the Morning
United States Pony Clubs, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization serving equestrians of all ages in the U.S. and Virgin Islands
#WeRideTogether is a nonprofit organization created to cast light on the issue of sexual abuse in youth and amateur sports
The 2024 Equine Industry Vision Award Winner will be announced at the AHP Return to Horse Country Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, May 17, at the breakfast sponsored by Zoetis.
American Horse Publications partnered with Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) to develop the award in 2001.
“Ever since its inception,” said Christine Brune, AHP Executive Director, “this prestigious award has honored men, women, and organizations that bring vision, diversity, and exceptional service to the horse industry.”
To learn more about the past winners and the Equine Industry Vision Award, visit https://www.americanhorsepubs.org/ahp-special-awards/.
American Horse Publications is dedicated to excellence in equine media through education and communication. AHP strives to be the primary source of education, resources, and networking for the equine media community. We believe a proactive approach in an ever-evolving communications-driven world allows us the flexibility and opportunity to promote, support, and reward excellence in equine media. For more information, contact Chris Brune at amy.sales@easterassociates.com or visit the AHP website at www.americanhorsepubs.org.
About Zoetis
As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide—from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $8.5 billion in 2023 with approximately 14,100 employees. For more information, visit zoetis.com.
The Zoetis Equine division is committed to providing horse care you can count on. Our team includes numerous equine veterinarians and other experts who are inspired daily by the opportunity and profound responsibility to support horses, the owners who love them, and the equine veterinarians and other care team members who safeguard their well-being. Whether at the clinic or in the field, Zoetis is always by your side with a comprehensive, innovative portfolio of equine products and services at every step of a horse’s care and throughout the journey of a horse’s life. Visit zoetisequine.com to learn more.
Zoetis Media Contacts
Jillian Alexander
Zoetis Equine
jillian.alexander@zoetis.com
Hannah Skallman
Exponent PR
hannah.skallman@exponentpr.com