On June 16 Sydney Knott, founder, president and CEO of Horses4Heroes, received the 2017 Equine Industry Vision Award. Zoetis, in partnership with American Horse Publications (AHP), presented the award to Knott at the AHP Equine Media Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Equine Industry Vision Award showcases innovation across the equine industry. Established and sponsored by Zoetis, the award recognizes ingenuity and service, and works to inspire those qualities in others.

“Zoetis is proud to recognize Sydney for her heartfelt work in connecting people with horses,” said Jaci Boggs, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, senior equine marketing manager for Zoetis. “Sydney’s passion for increasing the public’s exposure to horses and growing involvement in the equine industry is key to a successful future.”

Through Horses4Heroes, Knott has introduced more than 20,000 men, women, and children to horses and horseback riding. The program started in Knott’s Las Vegas backyard in 2006 as a community service project. The family gave weekly free horseback rides to military, police, firefighters, and other local heroes as well as their families. These weekly rides grew into requests for riding lessons, and today has grown to become a national nonprofit with affiliate locations in 45 states and Canada