September 2024 Issue

Page 36 September 2024 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN By Ann Swinker On June 11, 2024 the American Horse Council (AHC) presented the Van Ness Award to Franklin (Bud) and Gwen Wills during the organization’s annual meeting in Washington, DC. The Van Ness Award is presented annually 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 American Horse Council’s Coalition of State Horse Councils. “Mr. and Mrs. Wills have dedicated more than 25 years of their personal lives to the horse industry, trail stewardship and legislative issues in agriculture,” said AHC President Julie Broad- way in her presentation of the award to the Willses. “Bud and Gwen have had a great influence on the development of state policies as they apply to horses, agriculture and people. Their success as horseman, educator, and person are grounded in their commitment to people and their high standards for integrity.” The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships will return to the MARS Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill p/b Brown Advisory in Cecil County, MD, on October 17-18, 2024. The partnership has been renewed for a two-year term, 2024 and 2025, with an option for a third automatic renewal as mu- tually agreed upon in 2026. This program, in partnership with the Sport & Entertainment Corpora- tion of Maryland, will showcase the future stars of Eventing. The US Eventing Associa- tion (USEA) Young Event Horse (YEH) program was established to identify young horses that possess the talent and disposition to excel at the uppermost levels of Eventing. The program has seen many of its graduates go on to represent the United States in team competitions at the World Championships, the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and at various Nations Cups Sally Ike (USA) and Chris- tian Schacht (GER) will oversee both the East and West Coast Championships, joined by Linda Zang, Anne Moss, Marilyn Payne, and Phyllis Dawson for the 4-year-old Championship on the East Coast. The prestigious Holekamp/ Turner Grant will be awarded to the highest placing 5-year- old, providing a cash grant and a round-trip flight to Europe for the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships. YEH Championship Returns to MARS Maryland 5 Star Willses Recognized by the American Horse Council (Continued on page 37) Visit us online at www.eastcoastequestrian.net