2012 USEA Appreciation Awards

By USEA | September 17, 2012

Every year at the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention an Awards Ceremony is held. This is an opportunity for the sport to recognize those horses and riders who have excelled in Eventing throughout the year. It is also an opportunity to recognize those very important people who have served the sport tirelessly both in a non-riding capacity and in a riding capacity during their golden years. While it is a simple matter of tabulating points earned in a competition to arrive at horse and rider awards, it is a very different proposition when it comes to the nonrider awards; these awards require nominations from our members.

The Appreciation Awards Committee is currently accepting nominations for the awards listed here.

Appreciation Awards Categories:

Courtney C. Reeves Memorial Trophy: Awarded to the young individual who exemplifies sportsmanship, the spirit of the sport, and who gives back to the sport.

Christine E. Stafford Grooms Award: The Grooms Award is divided into two categories, Amateur and Professional. The purpose of the award is to recognize the vital role played by the groom who works countless hours behind-the-scenes to make sure their charges are healthy, happy, and poised for success.

Ironmaster Trophy: Awarded to the individual that exemplifies fortitude and courage. Open to anyone associated with the sport: volunteer, spectator, official, trainer,

competitor, groom, or groundskeeper.

Neil Ayer Course Design Appreciation Award: Awarded to coincide with the USEA Hall of Fame year to a designer in recognition of their innovation and vision: Demonstrating their ability through the use of obstacles and their placement in conjunction with a terrain’s natural features; whose goal is to further the education of the horse and rider through the cross-country test. Nominations will be reviewed and considered by the past recipients of the Neil Ayer Course Design Award.

Post Hole Digger Appreciation Award: Awarded to coincide with the USEA Hall of Fame year to a builder who has exhibited exceptional ability and dedication to

the sport through their work. The recipient not only excels in construction, they strive by way of research and education, to inspire others in the craft toward the betterment of thesport of Eventing. Nominations will be reviewed and considered by the past recipients of the Post Hole Digger Award.

Vintage Cup: Awarded to members 60 years of age and over who are competing at any level in recognized USEA competitions and who show good sportsmanship.

Governors Cup: In recognition of the volunteers whose services have contributed significantly to the sport. Approximately six awards per year may be awarded.

Nomination for Consideration to include:
Name of award, name of nominee, address of nominee, USEA area, age, and reason for nomination.

Reason for nomination should include a short biography of your nominee. If your nominee is selected, a photo will also be required. To make this experience exciting for both the nominee and attendees of the Awards Luncheon, the names selected will be kept a secret until the award is presented. Although it may not be an easy task, we ask those making the nomination to ensure that the candidate is able to attend the Awards Luncheon. Please note that this year’s Year-End Awards Luncheon will be held at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Friday, December 7 from 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Again, the deadline for all nominations is Monday, October 15, 2012. Please send this information to

Sheila Strickler via e-mail or fax:
Sheila Strickler, Chairman of the USEA

Appreciation Awards Committee

c/o USEA Attn: Sharon Gallagher

E-mail: [email protected]

Fax: (703) 779-0550

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