Pfizer Animal Health and American Horse Publications are proud to announce that a winner has been selected to receive the 2010 Equine Industry Vision Award. Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, the award is intended to recognize innovation, leadership and service. All of the nine nominees this year were outstanding examples of these qualities.

The Equine Industry Vision Award Committee reviewed nominations and the list of nominees was narrowed to four finalists. The committee selected the following finalists: Michael Blowen, president and founder, Old Friends; the late Denny Hales, executive vice president, Ohio Quarter Horse Association; Susan E. Harris, author, artist, speaker and clinician; and John D. Nicholson, executive director, Kentucky Horse Park and president, World Games 2010 Foundation.

The remaining 5 nominees included: Candi Cane Cooper, CEO, Sweet Water Ranch, Inc. and Rescue 911; Nancy Jaffer, equine journalist; Nancy Koch, executive director, CANTER National; Frank Lessiter, publisher, American Farriers Journal; and Karen Murdock, owner/trainer of Lukas, aka “The World’s Smartest Horse.”

The 11 voting members of the AHP Board of Directors, plus a Pfizer Animal Health representative, voted for the winner. Finalists were judged on their performance in relation to the achievement(s) cited and their demonstration of the following attributes and abilities: 1) The vision and innovation of a true pioneer; 2) Leadership, commitment, dedication and willingness to serve; 3) Original and effective ideas and/or products, services, programs; 4) High moral, ethical and professional standards.

The winner has been notified to allow for travel arrangements. However, the official announcement and presentation of the award will be made at the Equine Industry Vision Award Breakfast on Friday, June 18, 2010 during the AHP 40th Anniversary Seminar in Lexington, Kentucky. The recipient will be presented with the Equine Industry Vision Award Perpetual Trophy, created by master artisan Peter Wayne Yenawine and commissioned by Pfizer Animal Health.

Together, Pfizer Animal Health and AHP developed the Equine Industry Vision Award to create the first major award to showcase innovation across the equine industry. The award is intended not only to serve as a unique recognition of ingenuity and service, but also to benefit the industry by inspiring these qualities in others. Its purpose is to recognize outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry. Previous recipients of the Equine Industry Vision Award are Alexander Mackay-Smith in 2002, Don Burt in 2003, the American Quarter Horse Association in 2004, John Ryan Gaines in 2005, Stanley Bergstein in 2006, David O’Connor in 2007, Sally Swift in 2008 and Charlotte Brailey Kneeland in 2009.

American Horse Publications is a non-profit professional association dedicated to promoting better understanding and communication within the equine publishing industry. For more information, please contact: Chris Brune, American Horse Publications at [email protected] or 386-760-7743 or visit the AHP Web site at www.americanhorsepubs.org.

Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in discovering and developing innovative animal prescription medicines and vaccines, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health product research and development. Pfizer Animal Health’s industry-leading U.S. equine product portfolio now includes a wide range of biologics, parasiticides and sedatives / analgesics trusted by veterinarians, including many from Fort Dodge. For more information on how Pfizer Animal Health helps horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit www.PfizerAH.com.