Fairfield, CT – April 23, 2013 – The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) is among the four finalists for the 2013 Equine Industry Vision Award. Sponsored by Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health), the award is intended to recognize innovation, leadership and service. Judges praised this year’s record number of nominees, hailing from nine states, Canada and New Zealand, as outstanding examples of these qualities. Prior EIVA winners, which may be individuals or organizations, include IHSA executive director Robert E. Cacchione (2011).

The six members of the Equine Industry Vision Award Committee reviewed the nominations and narrowed 21 nominees to four finalists: Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), CT; Tootie Bland, Owner/Producer of Road to the Horse, TX; Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), KY; and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int’l.), CO.

The remaining 17 nominees included: Active Interest Media, “Home For Every Horse” program, CO; Dr. Gregory Beroza, Founder, Long Island Equine Medical Center, NY; Michael Blowen, Founder, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement, KY; John Byrd, DVM, Founder and Owner of Horsemen’s Laboratory, IL; Keith Chamblin, Sr. VP, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, KY; Ellen DiBella, Founder, Western Dressage Association of America, CO; Darrell Dodds, Publisher, Western Horseman Magazine, TX; EquiBalance Horse Trailers, New Zealand; Equine Guelph, Canada; Interscholastic Equestrian Association, OH; Charles H. (Chuck) Mintzlaff, Founder of Friendship Training, TX; Lynda Roemer, Owner and Director of Equine Rescue, Inc., NY; Jochen Schleese, Owner/Founder of Schleese Saddlery, Canada; Mark Sellers, Founder and CEO of EquiMed LLC, CA; Eugenia Snyder, Founder and President, Equine Affaire, Inc., OH; Linda Tellington-Jones, Founder of TTEAM and TTouch, HI; Lyndsey White, Co-Founder of Rider4Helmets, KY.

The AHP Board of Directors, plus a Zoetis 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 official announcement and presentation of the award will be made at the Equine Industry Vision Award Breakfast on Friday, June 21, 2013 during the AHP Meet the Peak Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The recipient will be presented with the EIVA Perpetual Trophy, created by master artisan Peter Wayne Yenawine, and the first to showcase innovation across the equine industry. It is intended to serve as a unique recognition of ingenuity and service, and benefit the industry by inspiring these qualities in others. The EIVA recognizes outstanding leadership, creativity and meritorious contributions in the equine industry.

Prior recipients: Alexander Mackay-Smith (2002), Don Burt (2003), AQHA (2004), John R. Gaines (2005), Stanley Bergstein (2006), David O’Connor (2007), Sally Swift (2008), Charlotte Kneeland (2009), John Nicholson (2010), Robert E. Cacchione (2011), and ELCR (2012).

About IHSA
The IHSA mission is to promote competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional and national levels. IHSA is based on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of financial status or riding level. More than 400 educational institutions in the U.S. and parts of Canada have teams belonging to IHSA, including student academic clubs, JV, and/or varsity programs. Learn more at www.ihsainc.com and connect with more than 6,800 student riders and coaches on Facebook and Twitter @IHSAinc.

IHSA Media Liaison:
L. A. Pomeroy
(413) 586-6121
PomeroyLA@aol.com
www.ihsainc.com