American Horse Council Press Release
Contact: American Horse Council
AHC@horsecouncil.org

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2007

NJ Horse Council President Wins American Horse Council’s 2007 Van Ness Award

WASHINGTON, DC –The American Horse Council (AHC) presented the Van Ness Award to Jane Gilbert, president of the New Jersey Horse Council, at the annual AHC National Issues Forum in Washington, DC this week.

Each year the Van Ness Award is given to a person in the equine industry who embodies the dedication and service of the late Mrs. Marjorie Van Ness.

“Marge was a vital force in the formation of the New Jersey Horse Council, the formation of AHC’s State Horse Council Advisory Committee and a devoted member of the AHC Executive Committee,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.

An extremely well-rounded equestrian, Jane Gilbert has been involved with hunters, jumpers, dressage, combined training, thoroughbred racing and breeding.

Mrs. Gilbert was the New Jersey Horse Person of the Year in 2001. She has shown her leadership abilities time and again, holding the following positions at one time or another. She has been President of the New Jersey Bred Hunter Association, President of the Eastern States Dressage and Combined Training Association, a member of the New Jersey Equine Advisory Board, Board Member of ReRun Thoroughbred Retirement Organization, Trustee of the Horse Park of New Jersey and a member of the RUBEA Committee for the Equine Sciences Center at Cook College.

“While most of us would consider these obligations a full-time job, Mrs. Gilbert also maintains a 36-acre breeding farm, races homebred thoroughbreds and assists local Thoroughbred adoption groups when she can. Additionally, she was a Blue Bridle Insurance Agent for 23 years. No stranger to the legislative process, she worked tirelessly for the passage of the New Jersey Equine Liability Law and for expansion of the state Farmland Assessment Law,” said Hickey during the award presentation.

As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities. Organized in 1969, the AHC promotes and protects the industry by communicating with Congress, federal agencies, the media and the industry on behalf of all horse related interests each and every day.

The AHC is member supported by individuals and organizations representing virtually every facet of the horse world from owners, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, breed registries and horsemen's associations to horse shows, race tracks, rodeos, commercial suppliers and state horse councils.