A lifelong horseman, Jo Anne (Jo) Miller founded and serves as the executive director of Brook Hill Farm based in Forest, VA, which has the dual mission of rescuing, re-homing and providing sanctuary to horses in transition and providing opportunities for people to benefit from the horse's unique abilities to empower, teach and heal.

Brook Hill is one of the very few charities that is not only an EQUUS Foundation Mentor, but also a PATH International Premier Accredited Center and accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

Jo has devoted her life to helping horses and people, dealing with overwhelming and difficult circumstances, realize their potential.

Since its inception in 2001, Brook Hill Farm has rescued 589 horses and educated over 1,000 at-risk youth. 100% of the at-risk youth in Brook Hill's innovative programs have not only graduated from high school, but they also gained the confidence and skills to lead productive lives in their communities. In 2022, through a combination of extraordinary leadership, hard work, and unwavering commitment, Jo Anne led the Brook Hill Pony Club team of at-risk youth and rescued horses to place 6th in the nation at the United States Pony Club Finals, with one of her horse-rider team members placing first Horse Management and Show Jumping.

In addition to her hands-on teaching and day-to-day program management, Jo served as a professor of equine science at Randolph College until retiring in 2024 and is a published author and sought-after international speaker.

Jo's generosity in sharing and providing guidance and support of other organizations knows no bounds. She currently serves as a board member of the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF), Virginia Horse Council, and the Equine Welfare Collaborative. She also serves as the chair of the EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Advisory Group, a member of the HHRF Equine Well-being Committee, and a member of the Equine Welfare Committee of the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI). Past service included serving as the Co-Chair of the PATH Intl. Equine Welfare Committee and as a member of the Virginia Tech Equine Advisory Board.

The Honor and Service Award was jointly established by the EQUUS Foundation and the Washington International Horse Show in 2013 following the induction of Klinger into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame in 2013. Klinger was the inspiration for the award and its first recipient. Klinger was a member of the Caisson platoon of the 3d United States Infantry (The Old Guard) which is now called the United States Army Military Mounted Battalion, 3D Infantry Regiment.



News Release >