We Thank TOBA and ELCR for Recognizing Our Conservation Efforts With This Honor

Last night, at the 35th Annual Virtual Awards of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), Horse Farms Forever received the 2020 Robert N. Clay Conservation Award. Established in 2014 as a partnership between TOBA and the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR), the purpose of this award is to increase awareness of the importance of land conservation to the Thoroughbred industry and serve as an inspiration to others within the industry. It was named in recognition of Robert N. Clay’s equine land conservation leadership in the Thoroughbred industry.

“We are pleased to work with and support the efforts of Horse Farms Forever and others to protect Marion County’s unique equine heritage and industry,” said ELCR President, Ken Haddad. “Local advocacy groups, like Horse Farms Forever, are not only key to protecting local horse lands but they can also serve as successful models for other communities working to protect equine access to land.  We applaud the commitment of Horse Farms Forever to help preserve the unique character and culture of the Horse Capital of the World® for the benefit of this and future generations.”

As we at Horse Farms Forever strive to engage and inspire the community to preserve its open spaces and beautiful places, we look forward to our Conservation Summit with guest speakers Adam Putnam from Ducks Unlimited and Billy Van Pelt from the American Farmland Trust. Please consider joining us for the Summit, either in person at Golden Ocala on November 19, or virtually by live stream.

About the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR): ELCR builds awareness of the loss of lands available for horse-related activities and facilitates the protection and preservation of those lands. We work to ensure America’s equine heritage lives on and the emotional, physical and economic benefits of the horse-human relationship remains accessible. ELCR serves as an information resource and clearinghouse on conserving horse properties, land use planning, land stewardship/best management practices, trails, liability and equine economic development. For more information about the ELCR visit www.elcr.org or call (859) 455-8383

About the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA): TOBA, based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred breeders and owners. TOBA’s mission is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Ownerview.com and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee and International Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA is the owner of The Blood-Horse Inc., and is represented as a founding member on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.