Equestrian Philanthropist Victoria McCullough and Team Valor's Barry Irwin Honored at Equine Advocates' Awards Dinner
Victoria McCullough, an international equestrian and philanthropist, alongside Barry Irwin, owner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom, will be honored at Equine Advocates’ Thirteenth Annual Awards Dinner & Charity Auction on Friday, July 25. The event will take place at Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga Springs.
Ms. McCullough will receive the Safe Home Equine Protection Award for her efforts to end the slaughter of America’s horses. Her advocacy, including meetings with Vice President Joe Biden, led to the inclusion of language defunding horse slaughter in the United States in the 2014 Omnibus Bill, signed by President Obama on January 17.
“If anyone deserves to be honored for outstanding achievements to protect horses, it is Victoria McCullough,” said Equine Advocates President, Susan Wagner. “She has accomplished what no one has ever done by gaining the support of the administration against horse slaughter, which is opposed by the vast majority of Americans. Victoria gathered the science and the facts to prove how slaughtering horses for food is unethical because it is toxic and a serious threat to human health and food safety. Thanks to Victoria’s continuing dedication and generosity, I believe we are now on our way to reaching the ultimate goal of a permanent federal ban of horse slaughter.”
Barry Irwin will receive the Ellen and Herbert Moelis Equine Savior Award for his work to ban the use of performance-enhancing drugs in racehorses on race day. He has been a leading voice in the nation advocating for the end of this practice in horse racing.
“Barry Irwin has been a positive force in our industry for many years,” said Ellen and Herb Moelis in a joint statement. “Team Valor, which Barry founded, has been at the pinnacle of our industry. He has managed the career of one of the most interesting horses of our time – Animal Kingdom. His passion for the integrity of our sport has been exemplary. We are proud that Barry will be the recipient of the 2014 Moelis Equine Savior Award by Equine Advocates.”
General tickets are $250 per person and include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing. For more information, call (518) 245-1599. All proceeds from this event will benefit Equine Advocates Horse Rescue, Sanctuary, and Humane Education programs.
Equine Advocates – P.O. Box 354 – Chatham, NY 12037