United States Eventing Association

Eventing Successes Celebrated at 2024 USEA Year-End Awards Banquet

United States Eventing Association (USEA) members from all over the country gathered on Friday afternoon for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Year End Awards Ceremony. The afternoon’s ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies Jim Wolf and recognized riders, horses, and game-changers in the sport of eventing with multiple awards and grants.

Wolf began the celebrations with the annual USEA Classic Series drawings. All four winners will receive Assisi Loops provided by PulseVet.

The Training and Novice Three-Day division winners received a custom-fitted Stackhouse saddle from sponsor DG Stackhouse and Ellis Saddles.

The Training Three-Day winner was Marcy Freeman, and the Novice Three-Day winner was Nicolette Farenbaugh.

The Beginner Novice and Modified Three-Day divisions were sponsored by Bates Saddles, and those winners, Mary Morris and Megan Loughnane, respectively, received a special prize pack of assorted riding accessories.

Next, Wolf recognized the 2024 USEA Leaderboard Champions, presented by Nunn Finer. Each winner received a trophy and ribbon. Winners of the horse divisions will also receive an original stall plaque, commissioned by Indian Creek Farm of Spring Branch, Texas.

The USEA is always honored to recognize the achievements of these hardworking riders and horses. Click here for the complete leaderboards.

Wolf moved on to the overall leaderboard champions next.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport, and the USEA Volunteer of the Year award aims to honor the volunteer who tops the Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) leaderboard by accumulating the most volunteer hours over the course of the competition year. The winner receives a cash prize of $1,000, a custom “USEA Volunteer of the Year” embroidered vest, Mrs. Pastures horse treats, and a memorial trophy.

Susan Hart (Oxford, Pennsylvania) was the recipient. She’s provided just under 700 hours of volunteer service at USEA-recognized events in 2024 and achieved the USEA Volunteer Incentive Program gold medal for dedicating over a total of 2000 hours of service to the sport.

Molly Duda was honored next with the Linda Moore Trophy as the 2024 RevitaVet USEA Young Rider of the Year, her second year in a row receiving this honor. She will receive $1,000 dollars and a Schneiders embroidered show cooler.

The Col. Allen D. Smith Memorial Trophy and USEA Adult Amateur Rider of the Year was awarded to Arden Wildasin. She will receive $1,000, a Schneiders embroidered show cooler, and a custom embroidered USEA Adult Amateur of the Year vest.

The SmartPak USEA Stallion of the Year was presented with the Windfall Trophy, $1,000, and a SmartPak Stallion of the Year embroidered turnout sheet. RR Simple, owned by Aspire Eventing RR Simple Syndicate LLC and ridden by Dani Sussman, was the winner. RR Simple is a 9-year-old Hanoverian Stallion who had a fantastic season consisting of a second-place finish in the CCI2*-L at Ocala International Festival of Eventing (Florida) and additional top placings at the Preliminary level.

Next up was the SmartPak USEA Pony of the Year, won by Hedgerow Farm’s Delilah’s Boy and ridden by Kendal Fansler. USEA CEO Rob Burk accepted the award on behalf of Delilah's Boy's connections, which included the Theodore O’Connor Trophy, $1,000 and a SmartPak Pony of the Year embroidered turnout sheet.

Delilah’s Boy is a 14-year-old Connemara cross gelding who, along with several other first place finishes, took home the win in the Junior Novice Rider division at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds and placed second in the Novice Three-Day at Waredaca (Gaithersburg, Maryland) this fall.

Next, Hannah Diebold from Bates Saddles joined Wolf on stage to present the Bates USEA Mare of the Year award to Nancy Winter’s 10-year-old Connemara Sport Horse No May Moon. Her rider Allison Springer accepted the Frolicsome Trophy, $1,000, and a Bates Saddle.

No May Moon represents the goal of Winter’s Connemara/Thoroughbred breeding program at Big Sky Farm in rural Illinois. No May Moon is the third generation of her breeding program with Three Creek Rodrique O’Conner being the foundational Connemara stallion combined with athletic talents of Mystic Replica and Catherson Dazzler.

A first-place finish in the Bromont CCI4*-L (Canada) and a third-place finish in the Morven Park CCI4*-L (Leesburg, Virginia) were the highlights of her year with Springer.

She also won the Standlee USEA Horse of the Year and was presented with the Caser Trophy, $1,000, a Schneiders embroidered show cooler, and a Standlee prize pack including a hat and a stall net.

Next, Wolf and Diebold presented Liz Halliday’s supporters with the Bates USEA Lady Rider of the Year award and the Essie Perkins Trophy, along with $1,000, a Schneiders embroidered show cooler, and a Bates Saddle.

Halliday competed on the U.S. Olympic Team in Paris this summer, but in August suffered an accident on cross-country at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships from which she’s still recovering.

"When we told her she won she wanted to know where she stood in the overall; she almost won that too," joked Chris Desino as he accepted the award on Halliday's behalf. Desino reported that Halliday's recovery is continuing to progress in a positive manner.

“It is an honor to acknowledge the incredible achievements of Liz Halliday this season,” said Wolf. “Recovery is a journey, and each moment of progress is a testament to her inner strength. The USEA wishes for a quick recovery filled with hope and vitality, and we believe in her ability to overcome this.”

The final overall leaderboard award announced was the World Equestrian Brands USEA Rider of the Year. Boyd Martin was the winner, and will receive $1,000, a Schneiders embroidered show cooler, and a World Equestrian Brands prize pack, including a Vespucci Breastplate with running martingale and a set of four Equilibrium Brushing Boots.

This was Martin’s eighth time winning the award and the Windy Acres Farm trophy. He had a fantastic year of competition at home and abroad with 59 top-3 placings and 29 FEI completions, 10 of which he finished within the top 3. Martin was the highest placed American rider at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with Fedarman B, owned by the Annie Goodwin Syndicate.

Grants

Bonnie Jenkins from the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation took the stage next to present the USET Connaught Grant.

The grant is designed for a horse competing at the CCI2* or CCI3* level who shows potential to one day be on the U.S. team and is presented in memory of Bruce Duchossois. The USET Foundation awarded the 2024 Connaught Grant Sharon White and her own Jaguars Duende.

Sharyn Antico came on stage next on behalf of the American Horse Trials Foundation to present their inaugural “Chasing The Gold” Grant.

This grant was donated on behalf of the American Horse Trials Foundation. It is the Foundation’s mission to strengthen and directly impact the United States’ ability to win medals at international competitions, and the aim is to financially support a specific rider and horse combination who has the attainable goal to successfully compete on the world stage. This grant will cover $30,000 of competition related expenses with an emphasis on European competition and/or training.

The inaugural recipients of this award were Sharon White and Claus 63.

USEA Foundation Chair Hilary Miskoe came to the stage next to present the Foundation grants.

In 2017, David and Cheryl Lenaburg established the Wilton Fair Grant in the memory of their great event horse by the same name. Wilton Fair helped jump start the career of Olympic gold medalist David O’Connor. David died in 2022, but the grant continues his legacy. The grant is given to riders who are 29 years or younger to gain further education internationally. This year’s Wilton Fair Grant recipients were Cassie Sanger and Gabby Dickerson.

Established in memory of the late Roger and Ann Haller, the Haller Scholarships for the Education of Eventing Officials provide financial assistance to licensed officials working towards promotion to their large “R” and “S” licenses, or their FEI licenses. This year’s Haller Educational Scholarship recipients were Beth Davidson and Carol Kozlowski.

The Essex Horse Trials Grant was established in honor of the original event under the same name. It’s presented to a developing rider age 25 and under who is competing successfully at the CCI3* level or above who is working towards representing the U.S. in international team competition. The 2024 recipient of the Essex Horse Trials Grant was Cassie Sanger.

The Mike Huber Award was established by the friends of Huber to celebrate a young rider coach who best exemplifies Huber’s enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and dedication to the youth of the sport. The recipient of this award is able to identify a USEA Area Young Rider program to receive a $1000 donation from the USEA Foundation. This year’s recipient is Vicki Howard-Fine with the Young Rider Mentorship Program.

In memory of the late Richard Picken, the Richard Picken Memorial Grant was established to fund the intensive training of riders aged 25 years and younger competing at the FEI CCI2* level or higher. Please congratulate the 2024 grant recipient, Madelyn Cease.

In honor of the late Kim Meier, a top-level eventer who made it to the highest levels of the sport through her own grit and determination, the Kim Meier “Kick On” Memorial Grant is intended to assist riders struggling financially to compete with their own horse(s) at the upper levels and who have passed beyond the funding available for juniors and young adults. Jules E. Batters was the recipient.

Jerome Broussard joined Miskoe on stage to present the Broussard Charitable Foundation Trust Going Forward grants.

These grants recognize USEA members who are passionate about moving their commitment to the sport forward.

For the USEA Eventing Coaches Program Certification Grant, Cayla Stone, Kayla Robinson, and Kelly Peine were the recipients.

Cam Stockhausen was awarded the Eventing Licensed Officials Training Program Grant.

The Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant awards $50,000 for the educational development of an international quality rider based on competition in eventing on the global stage. The recipient of the grant is based on performance record, interview, and involvement with the eventing community. The 2024 Rebecca Broussard International Developing Rider Grant recipient was James Alliston.

The Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant awards $10,000 for the educational development of an international quality rider based on competition in eventing on the national stage. The recipient of the grant is selected by the grant committee based on performance record, interview, and involvement with the eventing community. The 2024 Rebecca Broussard National Developing Rider Grant recipient, Julie Wolfert.

The Eventing Riders Association of North America awards were given out next.

The Above and Beyond Event Personnel Award goes to an event personnel member who devotes themselves behind the scenes and goes above and beyond for our sport. Erin Murphy was the recipient.

Next was the Amateur Impact Award given to an adult amateur who embodies a dedication to the sport of eventing and shares outstanding sportsmanship. Michlynn Sterling was the recipient.

The As You Like It Owner’s Award recognizes the outstanding owners who have had exceptional influences on the careers of our riders and horses. It was presented to Theresa Foote.

The Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award salutes the well-earned recognition of the individuals responsible for the wellbeing of our horses. This year’s award went to Catherine Paladeau.

The Courtney C. Reeves Memorial Trophy, awarded to a young individual who exemplifies sportsmanship and the spirit of the sport and who gives back to the community, was awarded next. Max van der Schoot was this year’s recipient.

The Vintage Cup recognizes members 60 years of age and over who are competing at any level in USEA-recognized competitions and who show great sportsmanship. There were three recipients this year—Chris Gianini, Susan Gehris, and Suzi Gornall.

The Cornerstone Instructor’s Award acknowledges the importance of the lower-level instructors for their dedication to the fundamentals of educating good horsemanship skills and the love of the sport to the next generation of eventers. This year, there were two winners—Karen Fulton and Anni Grandia-Dodson.

The Sue Hershey Award is given in honor of Sue Hershey for her time and dedicated efforts to the development of the USEA Eventing Coaches Program. The award recognizes an ECP Instructor who exemplifies the values and commitment of the program as well as inspiring students to achieve their goals.

Natalie Hollis and Suzannah Cornue were the 2024 recipients.

The Wofford Cup identifies those who have given so much to the sport that they rise to the very top. They dedicate their life to the betterment of eventing. The 2024 recipient was Diane Pitts.

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About the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place each December and brings together a large group of dedicated USEA members and supporters to discuss, learn, and enjoy being surrounded by other eventing enthusiasts. The USEA organizes multiple seminars in addition to committee meetings, open forums, and tons of fun! The 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention will take place in Seattle, Washington, on Dec. 12—15. Click here to learn more about the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention.

The USEA would like to thank the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Sponsors: Adequan, ARMA, Bates Saddles, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Gallops Saddlery, Horse & Country, Kerrits, Mrs. Pastures Cookies for Horses, Nunn Finer, Nutrena, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet Shock Wave, Rebecca Farm, RevitaVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee, and World Equestrian Brands.