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  • Jill Montgomery Receives AHC’s 2017 Van Ness Award

JILL MONTGOMERY RECEIVES AHC’S 2017 VAN NESS AWARD

Each year, the American Horse Council (AHC) presents the Van Ness Award to an individual who has shown leadership and service to the horse community in his or her state.  It is awarded in memory of Mrs. Marjorie Van Ness, one of the founders of the New Jersey Horse Council.  Mrs. Van Ness was one of the organizers of the AHC’s Coalition of State Horse Councils.

On June 12, the American Horse Council presented the 2017 Van Ness Award to Jill Montgomery of Pueblo West, CO.

“Jill Montgomery has devoted more than 31 years of her professional life to the horse industry and has an incredible influence on keeping equine activities accessible and enjoyable for everyone,” said AHC President Julie Broadway. “She continually seeks to educate and inform both horse owners and the public of the joys and benefits of horses, and is always working to ensure a favorable environment for the equine industry in the state of Colorado.”

Jill Montgomery has been a Colorado Horse Council member for over 20 years, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Animal Welfare Council, as well as the Colorado Horse Council’s Vice President and Chair of its Legislative and Regulatory Committee, and is a current Certified Horsemanship Association Region 9 Co-Director. She is a founding member of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance, as well as the former Executive Director of the American Youth Horse Council.

She currently owns and operates a small riding stable and teaches horsemanship to both youth and adults, including servicemen and women in the U.S. Air Force. She has developed her own equine consulting company JRAM Enterprises, which is well known for protecting and keeping equine activities accessible to everyone.

She has been involved in the development of a number of cutting edge programs on behalf of the Colorado Horse Council and the Animal Welfare Council Board. Her leadership and authorship of “Colorado’s Unwanted Horse Environmental Assessment” has been widely utilized by many state horse councils and universities. This assessment also benefitted all Coloradoans by lightening the law enforcement and tax payer’s burden for caring for impounded horses.

Her involvement in working to ensure a favorable environment for the equine industry in Colorado began when she and a group of like-minded horsemen founded the Pueblo West Horsemen’s Association. She was also involved in the creation of the Colorado Horse Development Authority and the Horse Promotion Assessment Fee that is collected with brand inspections at the time of transfer of ownership or transport of equines for distances of 75 miles or greater.

She helped form a Political Committee, ColoradoHorses, to help elect candidate who support the goals and objects of keeping Colorado a great state to own and keep horses. Additionally, her work on the issue of the unwanted horse in Colorado led to the formation of the Colorado Unwanted Horse Alliance, a 501c3 dedicated to assisting with the issue.

“This is a wonderful surprise, and I feel honored and grateful for this prestigious award,” said Ms. Montgomery. “I am humbled to be listed in the company of past recipients and with whom this recognition is named. I want to thank the AHC and all of those that thought of me enough to put my name forward for this honor. I have been blessed to work with many outstanding individuals in the horse industry, and my accomplishments are a reflection of the inspiration I gain from them”

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  • The American Horse Council is a Guidestar Silver Participant

    The AHC believes that the more opportunities available to use horses in various activities, the better the overall health of the industry and those who participate.


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    Lynda is the membership and communications specialist for the American Horse Council. Lynda grew up in Pasadena, Maryland with a passion for horses. She relocated to San Diego, California, where her dream of owning and riding horses came true. Lynda has worked with several law enforcement mounted units and has participated in several national and international horse associations.

    Lynda believes horses play a major role in our society from therapy horses helping children learn to walk again, to helping military veterans and emergency service personnel learn to cope with stress, to keeping our parks and cities safe through law enforcement mounted units. Along with our equine partners assisting in burial services at Arlington National Cemetery. Horses impact our lives in ways others cannot.

    Lynda believes the horse industry as a whole needs to have a voice and working at the American Horse Council is a way for her to help and keep the industry alive and informed.

    Interested in a Free Microchip for your Horse?

    The United Horse Coalition is offering up to 5 free microchips (while supplies last). Click below for more info on how to get your free chip.

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    Cliff Williamson is the Director of Health and Regulatory Affairs for the American Horse Council based in Washington D.C.

    He grew up in Reva, VA on his family’s horse farm, participating in both horse and livestock 4-H activities. In 2008 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Animal Science, where he was an active member of both the animal science club Block & Bridle as well as the agricultural fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho. After graduation he spent 27 months in Nicaragua with the Peace Corps for their Food Security Program. Upon his return to the United States he spent four years in the animal export industry as the Director of Animal Logistics for T.K. Exports, Inc. In that time he was honored to be appointed to a seat on the Board of Directors for the Culpeper chapter of the Farm Bureau Federation.

    For information regarding any equine health issues, welfare issues, and state, federal and international requirements regarding the movement of horses, please contact Cliff. 

    cwilliamson@horsecouncil.org

    Bryan Brendle is the Director of Policy & Legislative Affairs for the AHC.

    For information regarding public policy, government relations and advocacy, please contact Bryan.

    bbrendle@horsecouncil.org

    With over 30 years of leadership experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, Julie holds a BS, MBA, Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership  and is Certified Association Executive®. She’s a life-long horse enthusiast ranging from recreational rider, breeder, and show competitor. A native of NC, she and her husband now reside in DC along with their Pembroke Welsh Corgis and Morgan horses.

    In her down time she enjoys volunteering (she’s president of the board of PATH International), horseback riding, gardening and cooking. “I’m passionate about the equine industry because horses have enhanced my life and well-being so profoundly,” said Julie. “Working at the AHC is a way to give back to the equine community and ensure the long term health of the industry.”

    jbroadway@horsecouncil.org

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