Each year, the JCHC Board of Directors accepts nominations for the Horseperson of the Year award. This award is intended to recognize an individual who whose efforts have embodied the JCHC mission and whose work has gone above and beyond to improve the well being of horses and the horse community over the course of the year.

The 2024 Horse Person of the year is Lydia Andrews-Jones. Lydia is the lead for the Special Care Unit of our Emergency Evacuation Team. The Special Care Unit was especially challenged during this summer’s Quarry Fire evacuation due to the extreme heat and the wide variety of animals that were our guests during that evacuation. Lydia and her team worked tirelessly looking for ways to get the animals more comfortable and to keep them hydrated throughout this very stressful period. Several of the horses in our care were particularly tough customers in this regard, but Lydia and her team continued through many hours and approaches to get the horses to drink. The horses came through the evacuation well due to the efforts of the Special Care Unit.

Lydia is also a volunteer mounted patroller (Equestrian Ambassador) with Jefferson County Open Space.

Congratulations, Lydia and thank you for all you do for our community!