Here is the official press release, reprinted with permission. Nashville, TN – July 13, 2011 – Well known country music icon, Lacy J. Dalton, has been awarded a “Whinny” award for her efforts to save and preserve lands for wild horses. The award will be presented by the Women’s Horse Industry at their annual meeting October 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee. Dalton, whose credentials in music are substantial, has put her energy, money and name behind the Let ‘Em Run Foundation. The Let ‘Em Run Foundation is working with other organizations to begin to set aside huge tracts of land for these horses, to help manage the herds and to fence off areas where they should not roam. The group’s dream is to create the “Comstock Wild Horse Sanctuary” where these horses can be preserved, protected and allowed to run free for our children and our children’s children. “We are very pleased to award Lacy a Whinny for her efforts. More and more people are starting to understand the need to preserve areas for our wild horses and organizations like this and people like Lacy are making this happen. She is to be applauded for her efforts by everyone who cares about wild horses,” states WHIA Executive Director, Catherine Masters. Lacy is presently recording 2 new CDs. The first, called “Songs of the New West”, is a collection of Outlaw Country songs which include many as yet unrecorded songs by Lacy and friends, along with classics like “Wild Horses” by the Rolling Stones and “Friend of the Devil” by the Grateful Dead. In addition, fueled by feelings generated by what Lacy describes as a “Thermonuclear Divorce” from longtime husband and partner Aaron Anderson, she is working on a CD called “What Don’t Kill You Makes You Strong” after its title track. The awards will be given out on October 6 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Rhythm and Hooves benefit to save horses. The event will raise funds for three equine charities: The Cloud Foundation, The Equestrian Aid Foundation and NetPosse.com. The benefit will be a part of the WHIA’s Annual conference (October 6-8 at the Radisson Hotel Opryland) where women from around the world will gather to exchange information and business. For additional information on the WHIA and its upcoming conference and benefit, please visit Women’s Horse Industry or call 615-730-7833. (End reprint.) When told of her selection and that of the Nelsons and Sheryl Crow, Lacy commented, "These are some great people. Sheryl is an important contributor to horse causes and Willie and his family have come through countless times. Years ago we might well have lost one of the largest historic herds in the country if it hadn't have been for Connie and Willie." Lacy's reference was to an effort by former Nevada Director of Agriculture Tony Lesperance to eradicate the historic Virginia Range "Comstock" herd. Although they were both touring in Europe, Willie and his friend Snoop Dogg recorded public service announcements that aired on radio stations and brought attention to the horses' plight. "The overnight appearances of Willie and Snoop grabbed the public's attention and we were able to save the herd," said Dalton. Co-Host Willis Lamm, who is also President of Least Resistance Training Concepts, a non-profit that works with Let 'Em Run and other organizations to advocate for horses, work on range projects and rescue orphan foals found on the range expressed his views on the nominees. "In a world where people exploit causes to promote their notoriety, these are wonderful people who instead use their notoriety to help important causes. They don't bask in the limelight as a result of their efforts. They just do what they can to help get the job done. It is wonderful that they are being recognized."