Nearly 31,000 online votes were received from the public in the semifinals of the Ivercare–Because You Care award program sponsored by Farnam Horse Products. Earlier this year, more than 100 organizations and individuals were nominated for the award program, which was initiated by Farnam to recognize nonprofit organizations and individuals that strive to improve the health and welfare of horses and/or the lives of humans that love them.

All nominees were posted on www.IverCare.com with a short description of their efforts for the public to vote.  The top five finalists in each category will be posted on the web site during September 2003 for the public to vote again, but this time it will be for the winners.  Farnam will award a total of $17,500 to four nonprofit organizations and one individual in the equine industry. Two small organizations (annual operating budget of less than $250,000) each will be awarded $2,500; two large organizations (annual operating budget of more than $250,000) each will receive $5,000; and one individual will receive $2,500