Category Archives: Awards

Improve Your Seat & Learn from the Best via Trilogy Saddles’ ‘Developing Your Dream Seat’ Drawing

Trilogy Saddles encourages dressage riders to develop their very own dream seat, so they’re helping FIVE (5) lucky winners receive coaching from some of the very best riders in the world.

The Developing Your Dream Seat program reflects the philosophy at the core of the company. “We want to inspire and educate riders to take responsibility for their own riding position, and to get the training they need to improve their own seat,” says Debbie Witty, Trilogy Saddles founder and president. “Plus, all riders should have dreams and goals, and we’d like to help some of our customers make theirs come true.”

In the Developing Your Dream Seat drawing, Trilogy Saddles customers of all levels and abilities will have an equal opportunity to learn from the best: Winners will receive two lessons from the participating Trilogy Saddles Ambassador of their choice; a ‘lunch & learn’ session with Witty to help understand the mechanics of saddle fit and rider position and how they affect his or her horse’s individual response, performance, and well-being; and a custom fitting of their new Trilogy saddle.

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USET Foundation Presents Pinnacle Cup to Sinead Halpin

Sinead Halpin was awarded the USET Foundation's Pinnacle Cup Trophy as the highest placed American rider at the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI****. Photo © 2011 Amy Dragoo.

Lexington, KY – May 19, 2011 – The USET Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Sinead Halpin of Gladstone, NJ. Halpin rode Manoir de Carneville to a third place finish at the top event and was the highest placed American rider, which earned her the trophy.

Manoir de Carneville is owned by Carrig, LLC. This was his first CCI****, and the 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding showcased his skills in all three phases. They finished the difficult competition with a score of 53.1 after incurring just 4.4 time faults in the cross-country phase.

This was also Halpin’s first time competing at a CCI**** and she was thrilled with her mount’s performance. “He’s very good in all three phases, which is rare,” she explained. “I don’t think there is one that he excels at more than the others, he’s great across the page. He has an unusual jumping style, but he’s got the heart and the brains, and he’s very physically athletic. At Rolex he felt great; it didn’t feel like it was a push for him.”

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Nominations Now Open for FEI Awards 2011

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of equestrian sport, is pleased to announce that nominations for the FEI Awards 2011 are now open.

Members of the worldwide equestrian community are invited to make their nominations via the dedicated website www.feiawards.org.

The awards, which were launched in 2009, aim to acknowledge outstanding achievement in the following five categories:

* Reem Acra Best Athlete, for the athlete (equine or human) or combination that, over the past year, has demonstrated exceptional skill in the arena and taken the sport to a new level;
* HSBC Rising Star, for a rider aged 14-21 who has demonstrated significant talent and commitment;
* Development, for a development project, individual or organisation demonstrating skill, dedication and energy in expanding the sport;
* Against All Odds, to celebrate a disabled rider or an individual who has overcome extreme personal difficulties to achieve proficiency in equestrian sport;
* Best Groom, for the often uncelebrated, yet important person who works behind the scenes.

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Applications Now Available for 2011 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award

Kelsey Kimbler receives the 2010 USEF Youth Sportsman's Award from David O'Connor. Photo by Geoff Bugbee/USEF Archives.

Lexington, KY – The search is underway for nominees for the 2011 United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Youth Sportsman’s Award. Now in its sixth year, the award recognizes young equestrians who exhibit exceptional leadership potential, serve as positive role models for their peers, demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to the promotion of equestrian sport, are involved in their community and exemplify positive sportsmanship principles.

All National Winners will be honored during the 2012 USEF Annual Meeting. Each will receive a $500.00 grant to be paid to the educational program of his or her choice and will be invited to attend the USEF Annual Meeting as the Federation’s guest, to attend committee and board meetings, a career opportunity session and awards banquet.  Meals, accommodations and travel expenses (up to $500.00) will be provided for all who are invited to participate.

The overall winner of the 2011 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award will receive a $1,000 grant payable to the educational program of choice and a USEF Life Membership valued at $2,500, a commemorative trophy, as well as an invitation to the USEF Annual Meeting and career session. The winner will also be one of the nominees for the USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year Award.

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Equestrian Federation of Finland Honors George H. Morris with Gold Badge of Merit

George H. Morris with his Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland. Photo courtesy of EFF.

Ypäjä, Finland – U.S. show jumping legend George H. Morris received a Gold Badge of Merit from the Equestrian Federation of Finland (EFF) on May 5, for his work with the Finnish show jumping athletes. Morris, who is the Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Team, has globally impacted the sport of show jumping.

Tom Gardin, a representative of the Scandinavian country’s Federation, awarded the Badge to Morris at the conclusion of a three-day clinic. The presentation took place in Ypäjä, a small village 80 miles northwest of Helsinki best known for horses and its equine college that hosts Finnderby, an international competition that takes place annually.

Morris has been making almost annual trips to Finland since 1984. He has been highly appreciated by the hundreds of riders and trainers, including participants from the Baltic countries, who he has taught and inspired throughout his years of training and conducting clinics.

“I like coming to Finland… I value this badge highly and feel honored,” said Morris.

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Holger Bechtloff Wins Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award at Gold Coast Dressage Finale

German rider and trainer Holger Bechtloff, who now lives in Wellington, won the Premier Sportsmanship Award at the Gold Coast Dressage Finale Show. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (April 27, 2011) – German trainer Holger Bechtloff showed off his good sportsmanship during the Gold Coast Dressage Finale Show, riding away with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. Sponsored by Premier Equestrian, a leading supplier of dressage arenas, horse jumps, arena footing and stable accessories, the Premier Sportsmanship Award is awarded to a rider who displays a high level of sportsmanship during a show.

Bechtloff said he was pleased to win the Sportsmanship Award and shared his secret for being a good sport. “Fairness to the animal has to be the top thing,” he said. “It’s important to know your limits and your horse’s limits and have fun doing it.”

Bechtloff, who competed Cartujo VIII and Teknicolor at the show, has found great success showing Andalusians to the Grand Prix level. “I recently had an amazing Andalusian that I was going to take to the Pan Am trials but he was a great horse and he ended up getting sold,” Bechtloff said. “The new owners love him and will compete him in the Pan Am Games for Venezuela.”

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Stuttgart Media Team Scoops Rolex FEI World Cup Press Office Award for 2010/2011

Jörg Klopfer (GER), press officer of the Stuttgart Masters team, presented with “Best Press Office” award for the Rolex FEI World Cup Western European League 2010/2011 © Kit Houghton/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 28 April 2011 – The Stuttgart German Masters media team has been awarded the inaugural Best Press Office award for its outstanding contribution to the Rolex FEI World Cup Western European League 2010/2011.

Over 200 journalists and photographers covering the 12 Western European League qualifiers of the Rolex FEI World Cup 2010/2011 season cast their votes for the press office that has demonstrated exemplary communication skills, high quality on-site and online media services and ability to supply information swiftly.

The Best Press Office award was introduced at the start of the Rolex FEI World Cup 2010/2011 season to celebrate the hard work of the event organising teams.

Jörg Klopfer, press officer of the Stuttgart German Masters team, was presented with the award at a Rolex Media Reception in the Leipzig Press Club today during the FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig (GER). Jörg Klopfer is a former journalist and a previous award winner for services to the press. He was press chief at the 1993 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart, which was covered by over 3,000 journalists and the Stuttgart team won the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS) award for best press centre.

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Nominate a Veterinarian

AQHA members are invited to nominate an equine veterinarian’s selfless service in AAEP’s Good Works Campaign.

Do you know a commendable veterinarian?

More than likely you do. According to a 2009 equine welfare survey by The American Association of Equine Practitioners, 71 percent of its members had donated resources or services to assist the equine community in the past year.

Now there’s an opportunity to recognize these veterinarians. AAEP has invited American Quarter Horse members, owners and organizations to nominate veterinarians for the AAEP Good Works Campaign. This campaign celebrates the “good work” of veterinarians who devote time and expertise beyond the scope of their everyday practice to help horses and the equine community.

Throughout 2011, the AAEP Good Works Campaign will spotlight AAEP-member practitioners whose volunteer efforts are improving the health and welfare of horses. Each month, AAEP will select a veterinarian nominated by a horse owner or organization for special recognition.

Monthly honorees will be considered for the 2011 Good Works Award, to be presented during the 57th Annual Convention in San Antonio. The nomination form is available online.

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The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Experienced Great Success, Awards Circuit Championships

Wellington, FL – April 14, 2011 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) is proud to congratulate all of the Circuit Champions for the 2011 season. ESP is also thrilled with the many accomplishments that were made throughout the 2011 season and look forward to continued improvements during the summer months to make the 2012 Winter Equestrian Festival one of the best horse shows in the world.

Throughout the twelve weeks of competition, more than $6 million was awarded in prize money, and over $1 million was raised for 32 charities in the FTI Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments.

The 2011 FTI WEF also saw increased numbers of horses, riders, owners, and trainers from last year. Almost 5,000 horses and more than 3,000 riders competed over the twelve weeks of competition. It is no surprise that these numbers increased this year, due to the world-class events that were offered throughout the circuit.

The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit Champion Awards were presented to the top finishers in every division, based on prize money and points won.

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Ali Wolff Awarded 2011 Maxine Beard Award by USET Foundation

Ronnie Beard, Ali Wolff, Jane Clark and George H. Morris for the Maxine Beard Award Presentation at the 2011 $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Gladstone, NJ – April 12, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Ali Wolff of New Albany, OH, has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Wolff received the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the American Invitational on April 9, 2011, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The selection was based on Wolff’s competitive record and future potential to represent the United States in international competition. The award provides Wolff the opportunity to be credentialed and travel with the U.S. delegation to the 2011 FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany, from April 27 – May 1.  She will observe the operations of an international championship, including the stabling area, veterinary inspections and schooling, and will walk the courses with the U.S. Show Jumping Coach, George H. Morris.

At the young age of 21, Ali Wolff has already accomplished a great deal as an up-and-coming equestrian. Her biggest win came in 2010 when she won the Individual Gold medal at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships. After holding the 23rd position she quickly climbed the ranks throughout the competition, eventually capturing the top prize.

“I didn’t expect much going into the second round, only to support my team and try to get a team medal,” said Wolff. “Things started shaping up from there and it’s just such a great award to win, it is still sinking in. I am still excited about it even though it was almost a year ago!”

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