Horse Junkies United has been named as the recipient of the 2013 Susan Jane Anstey Media Award. The highest recognition for equestrian media in Canada, the award is dedicated in memory of Susan Jane Anstey, longtime champion of equestrian sport in Canada
who worked as a journalist and publisher and was President of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists.
The Trophy was presented to Horse Junkies United at the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala on Friday February 7, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to recognize "an exceptional individual or corporate entity who has delivered outstanding media coverage that served to enhance the image of Canadian equine interests to the Canadian public."
This is the first time the award has been given to an organization, let alone a blog, or "non-traditional media". Established in 2011, HJU also won the Equestrian Social Media Award for Best Blog in 2013.
With the tagline "Horses are Expensive, Addictive and will Impair your Ability to use Common Sense", Horse Junkies United sets a humorous tone for its amateur equestrian-focused blog. With its team of 26 regular HJU bloggers, plus amateur photographers and contributions from readers, the blog ranges from coverage of international and national competitions to personal stories about life with horses, always from the amateur's point of view.
"It's an incredible honour to be recognized with Equine Canada's Media Award," said Horse Junkies United founder and editor Patricia Da Silva, who is also VP of Marketing for ECOGOLD Equestrian products. "The spotlight rarely shines on amateur equestrians and that is what Horse Junkies United is all about. Whether it is show coverage, photos or stories about life with horses, all our content is produced by amateurs for amateurs. When we created the blog in 2011, we had no idea it would resonate with so many riders, across the spectrum of experience, and around the world. To be awarded the Susan Jane Anstey Trophy, the highest national recognition of excellence in equestrian media, is beyond anything we ever imagined."
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