Washington DC (May 10, 2019) Each year the American Horse Council (AHC) gives the Van Ness Award, which is named in honor of the late Marjorie Van Ness of New Jersey, a long-time leader and friend to the horse industry. This award is presented to an individual that best emulates the dedication and commitment of Marjorie Van Ness to the improvement of the horse industry at the state level.
This year’s recipient has been an avid lifelong equestrian and was an Arabian horse breeder for more than 25 years. Since returning to school in 1988 to earn her law degree, she has limited her equestrian activities to keeping a few pleasure horses at home for recreational riding on Michigan’s horse trails. This soon led her to become an advocate of equestrian interests in zoning and land use.
Jean Ligon of the Michigan Horse Council (MHC) will be presented the 2019 Van Ness Award for her outstanding contributions both at the state and national level. Ms. Ligon presently serves on the AHC Board of Trustees as At-Large Director representing the Coalition of State Horse Councils, of which she is co-chair. Ms. Ligon is currently President Elect of the Michigan Horse Council, having previously served as Vice President for 10 years. She also chairs the MHC Legislative, Environmental, Land Use and Zoning Committee. She has an extensive list of accomplishes having worked both with Michigan State University Dept. of Animal Science and Michigan Dept. of Agriculture.
Michigan Horse Council member, Colonel Don Packard, stated “Jean is a tireless supporter of all things horse. She attends every meaningful horse related activity in the state. What is most unique about Jean’s participation in the horse industry is that it is totally selfless. Her efforts are always for the good of the entire industry. She never has a motive beyond what will benefit everyone.”
Ms. Ligon will be honored on Monday, June 10th at a luncheon at the AHC Annual Meeting being held at the Washington Marriott Georgetown.
For information about AHC Annual Meeting and to register go to www.horsecouncil.org .