Anna Ford, program director of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in Marysville, Ohio, was honored as the 2015 recipient of the EQUUS Foundation/United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Humanitarian Award at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner on Jan. 15 during the federation’s annual meeting in Lexington Kentucky.

The Humanitarian Award is a celebration of the humanitarian achievements made by an individual or a group of individuals in the equestrian world. From improving the health and welfare of the horse to promoting and expanding the general public’s appreciation and respect of the diverse roles of horses, the recipient of this award has devoted considerable time to making the lives and quality of life of our equine partners paramount.

Ford received the award in recognition of her dedication to ensuring that racehorses retiring from the track have the opportunity to go on to second careers. Founded at her family’s barn in 1992, the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program now encompasses five locations in Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

Ford also wrote an award-winning book, Beyond the Track, which has become a resource for those entering in a partnership with an off-track Thoroughbred or Standardbred