Tag Archives: Maxine Beard Award

Awards, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Presents 2019 Maxine Beard Award to Sophie Gochman

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Sophie Gochman and Carola BH. Photo by: Lindsay Brock/Jump Media.

Gladstone, N.J. – Aug. 8, 2019 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is excited to announce this year’s recipient of the coveted Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award is Sophie Gochman of New York City, New York. At just 16 years old, the accomplished athlete will be adding this prestigious award to her growing list of achievements.

The presentation of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award takes place at the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) each year.

Gochman earned the award after being the highest placing United States Young Rider at the 2019 NAYC in the Individual Show Jumping Final, held this year from August 1 to August 4 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York. Gochman’s sister, Mimi Gochman, took home the gold medal in the junior division.

With the ongoing mission to support and further the level of America’s developing horses and athletes, the USET Foundation Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award was established to elevate athletes’ opportunities on their journey to equestrian excellence.

“It was a great week for the Gochman family!” said Sophie. “I think we’re both just really grateful for our parents, who supported us, our trainer Ken Berkley, everyone at our Baxter Hill Farm, and [Zone 2 Chef d’Equipe] Ralph Caristo. I don’t think many sister pairs have won gold medals at NAYC, so it’s pretty cool that we got to do that.”

Sophie rode Gochman Sport Horses LLC’s Carola BH, a 12-year-old KWPN mare, to earn a spot on the podium wearing the gold medal after her incredible performances over the course of a few days.

“This week was a bit of nail-biter for me because it was so close between me and Sam [Walker],” Sophie said. “But [Carola BH] is the best horse in the world, and she kept getting better and better. It was great for it to all come together. To win at NAYC and get to do that victory gallop is such an honor. I’m just so thankful for [Carola BH]. We’ve created such a bond at this point that I just think it and she does it for me. She puts her heart into every single round.”

The top U.S. athletes were selected to go to compete in the 2019 FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final in Opglabbeek, Belgium this September, so Sophie will be venturing to Europe shortly alongside bronze medalist Natalie Dean, and is hoping for further success with the United States Young Rider Teams.

As the winner of this immense honor, Sophie will also receive a trip to a senior FEI Nations Cup Show Jumping competition. This will give the young athlete a look at a major international competition, including the chance to observe operations in the horse show office, stabling area, veterinary inspections, and schooling rings. Sophie will also walk and discuss each course and have the chance to strategize with U.S. team riders and the chef d’equipe.

Sophie expressed, “I am looking forward to learning from some of the best riders in the world, and I hope that the lessons I learn from observing a senior Nations Cup will not only better my riding, but also my horsemanship.”

Sophie acknowledged how having the support of the USET Foundation has benefited her as she continues on her path toward competing for the United States at the highest level of the sport.

“It’s such an honor to receive the Maxine Beard Award,” Sophie concluded. “It means a lot to me to have the support of the USET Foundation because it’s so important to invest in young riders as they’re the future of the sport.”

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

Awards, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Presents 2017 Maxine Beard Award to Catherine Tyree and Chloe Reid

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Catherine Tyree and Bokai represented Team USA in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival.

Wellington, Fla. – March 25, 2017 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipients of the prestigious Maxine Beard Award are Catherine Tyree and Chloe Reid. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois and Washington, D.C., Tyree and Reid will be adding this award to their already impressive lists of show jumping accomplishments.

The Maxine Beard Award is presented annually to young riders who have proven their talents in the sport of show jumping and also show great potential to represent the USA in Nations Cup competitions and international championships in the future. Both Tyree and Reid recently represented Team USA in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* during Week Eight of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF).

After a fall in January 2016, which left the young rider sidelined for six months due to a foot injury, Tyree, 23 years old and a senior at Northwestern University, came back stronger than ever, consistently proving herself among some of the world’s top riders.

Trained by John Brennan and Missy Clark of North Run, Tyree wrapped up 2016 collecting victories at some of the most esteemed horse shows across the country including the $50,000 Vermont Summer Celebration Grand Prix at the Vermont Summer Festival and the $86,000 Fidelity Investments® Classic CSI4* at the American Gold Cup. Tyree also kicked off the 2017 WEF season strong, placing third in the $75,000 Rosenbaum Mollengarden PLLC Grand Prix in addition to claiming the Leading Lady Rider title during Week One as well as placing third in the $380,000 Fidelity Investments® Grand Prix CSI5* during Week Five, both aboard Bokai, Tyree’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding.

“I’m very humbled and honored to be receiving this award this year,” said Tyree. “Looking back at the list of prior recipients, it’s not only a lot of people I consider my peers but also a lot of people that I look up to. To be recognized as someone who could potentially have the same career path, results or just riding capabilities as them is something that is really special for me. I’m very excited to be getting this award.

“I jumped my first Nations Cup in Wellington a few weeks ago and that went as well as I could’ve hoped,” continued Tyree. “As I keep working and doing what I’m doing, hopefully I’ll get more opportunities to represent my country in the future.”

At only 20 years old, Reid spends the summer training and showing in Germany under the tutelage of Markus and Meredith Beerbaum. In the spring, she heads to south Florida to attend school at the University of Miami and to compete at WEF in Wellington, Florida.

Chloe Reid and Codarco competing in the $150,000 Nations Cup CSIO4* at WEF

Presently, Reid has a string of five top horses, but her most seasoned partners are Codarco, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion, and TNT Explosive, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding.

Some of Reid’s many successes in 2016 include being chosen to represent the United States on the Nations Cup team in Samorin, Slovakia aboard TNT Explosive. Reid also piloted Codarco to a third place finish in a CSI3* grand prix and a top ten finish in a CSI5* grand prix in Wellington. Looking ahead, Reid says she will return to Germany upon completion of her spring semester at the University of Miami to continue her training with the Beerbaums. Her ultimate goal during the summer is to make it onto more Nations Cup teams and represent the United States.

“It’s an extreme honor to be chosen by the USET Foundation [for the Maxine Beard Award],” said Reid. “It’s even more special to be receiving it alongside one of my really close friends, Catherine Tyree.

“It’s always been a huge goal of mine to be able to represent my country,” continued Reid. “To be able to do that, in any form, especially to be on a Nations Cup team, is always the highest honor. My goal this summer is to try to be on a couple of other Nations Cup teams if I can. In the long term, I would love to represent my country at Aachen and in future championships.”

Tyree and Reid were recognized and honored as the 2017 Maxine Beard Award recipients in the International Arena prior to the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* on Saturday, March 25, during Week Eleven of WEF. Presenting the award was USET Foundation President and CEO Jim McNerney, Vice President Bill Weeks and Treasurer Philip E. Richter alongside Linda Hough representing the Beard family.

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Awards, Community/Charity, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Announces Lillie Keenan as 2016 Maxine Beard Award Winner

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Lillie Keenan and Super Sox at the HITS Great American Million.

Wellington, Fla. – April 4, 2016 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award is Lillie Keenan. Hailing from New York, Keenan will be adding this award to her already impressive list of show jumping accomplishments.

The Maxine Beard award is presented to young riders who are talented in the sport of show jumping and also show great potential to represent this country in Nations Cup competitions and international championships. At just 19 years old, Keenan turned professional in 2015 while also furthering her education as a freshman at the prestigious Harvard University. Under the tutelage of Ireland’s Olympic Bronze medalist Cian O’Connor, Keenan adapted to a new training regime for herself and her horses.

“I really needed to challenge myself, and I always knew that I had a lot to learn, but now I feel like I’ve come a long way,” said Keenan. “I feel much more confident in myself than I did last year at this time, simply because I had new experiences, and I’m excited for continued change and trying new things, and trying to establish myself as a professional.”

One of Keenan’s most exciting opportunities this past year was beginning her training with O’Connor and spending the summer in Europe at O’Connor’s Karlswood Stables. Through her work with the Irish Olympian Keenan achieved top results in 2016, including third place finishes in the $380,000 Douglas Elliman CSI5* Grand Prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the HITS Great American $1 Million Grand Prix with her Super Sox, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding.

“I’ve taken a lot of time with that horse,” noted Keenan. “He’s a horse that I’ve always believed in. Three months ago, the team at Karlswood said, ‘You’ve put in all this work with this horse and you’re going to place in a night class in Florida.’ The fact that it came together is just a testament to the program, and also to how important it is to invest in the learning process and be patient with it. When you follow the steps and you put in the work to learn and have a special moment like that, it is really exciting.”

Along with the trophy, the award also offers the recipient the opportunity to travel to a Nations Cup competition to shadow the American team. In 2016, the Nations Cup events will have added importance, as the U.S. squad will be preparing for the Olympic Games in Rio later this summer. Keenan will observe the stabling area and veterinary inspection, and she will also be able to walk the courses with Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and the team.

“Our sport is not always team based, but at the highest level, you’re representing your country as a team, and that’s what I enjoy,” said Keenan. “To have the opportunity to shadow a team and get the experience of working with Robert Ridland and understanding the best American riders and their programs, and just being able to watch them ride and watch the work they do, is fantastic.”

Keenan concluded, “It’s exciting for me to receive this award because it’s an honor but also it’s a nice confidence boost at the end of season and now that I’m going to Europe. I especially want to thank the team behind Karlswood and of course my family.”

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Awards, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Presents 2015 Maxine Beard Award to Michael Hughes

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Michael Hughes and Luxina. By: Shannon Bower/PMG.

Wellington, FL – March 28, 2015 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that 18-year-old Michael Hughes of Allendale, NJ has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Hughes was presented with the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the Winter Equestrian Festival Finale on March 28, 2015 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL.

The selection was based on Hughes’s competitive record and potential to represent the United States in international competition. Winning his first grand prix at just 16 years old, Hughes went on to win the 2013 USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East, as well as the 2014 Washington International Horse Show Equitation Championship. He claimed the 2014 Individual Young Rider Silver medal at the North American Junior and Young Riders Championship, and was most recently a member of the winning Young Riders team for the second year in a row at the CSIO Wellington Nations Cup.

“It means so much to win this,” said Hughes. “Looking at all of the past winners and where they are today is amazing, so it’s an honor to just be acknowledged for this award. I am really lucky to have the year I had and to have the horses that I am riding.”

The award provides Hughes the opportunity to be credentialed and travel with the U.S. delegation to the 2015 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 15-19. He 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 Chef d’Equipe, Robert Ridland.

U.S. Show Jumping Young Rider Chef d’Equipe DiAnn Langer has worked closely with Hughes over the last two years, and is thrilled to see his talent recognized with this award. “Michael Hughes is the real deal,” stated Langer. “He is incredibly effective on many types of horses, he is personable, he is serious about his work, and he’s successful in the equitation and the jumpers. I feel that he has a huge international future in front of him.”

Hughes noted, “I think it’s a going to be a lot of fun and be a great experience to be with Robert and DiAnn during World Cup Finals and get to watching an amazing competition.”

Hughes trains with his father Eamonn Hughes at their family’s Drumnacross Farm, as well as Missy Clark and John Brennan of North Run. This summer, he hopes to compete in Europe and also travel to Spruce Meadows. His goal is to one day represent the United States on a Senior Team internationally. With the talent, drive and determination to be a top-notch competitor, Hughes has proven that he will be a part of the future for show jumping in the United States.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Show Jumping

USET Foundation Presents 2014 Maxine Beard Award to Jessica Springsteen

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Jessica Springsteen and Vindicat W. Photo by Kenneth Kraus.

Miami, FL – April 7, 2014 – The American Invitational made its debut at SunLife Stadium in Miami, FL, on April 5, 2014. Before the main event got underway, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation made a special presentation to one of this country’s most talented young show jumping riders. This year, 22-year-old Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, NJ was honored for her achievements in the sport with the 2014 Maxine Beard Award. Springsteen’s selection for the prestigious award was based on her competitive record and potential to represent the United States in international competition.

Springsteen’s success in the show ring began at a very young age, and she took top honors at the country’s most prestigious events throughout her junior years. In 2008, she won the ASPCA Maclay National Championship, and in 2009 she won the George H. Morris Excellence in Equitation Championship.

“She was one of the most decisive winners of the ASPCA Maclay Championship,” noted Morris. “She had a great career as a junior, and she has a very promising career as a Grand Prix rider. She’s very competitive and always does great under pressure. I think she is a very deserving winner.”

In 2010, Springsteen claimed the North American Junior and Young Rider Championship Show Jumping Young Rider Bronze medal aboard Vornado Van Den Hoendrik. In 2013, Springsteen paired up with Vindicat W to win the $15,000 RCG Farm Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Amateur-Owner Classic during Week VI and the $82,000 Suncast 1.50m Jumper Classic during Weeks IX and XII of the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Her success on the circuit continued this year with a second place finish in the $280,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI-W 4*, and a third place finish in the Ruby Et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round XII, as well as the as the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix CSI5*. Springsteen and Vindicat W have competed as part of the Global Champions Tour for the past two years, and Springsteen has represented the United States during Nations Cup competitions.

U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland commented, “I am very excited that Jessica has won the Maxine Beard Award. The whole emphasis that we have been trying to place over the last year is keeping the pipeline in order between our veterans at the top and the next generation of riders, and Jessica is a part of that. She has tremendous talent. I know that her priorities are divided since she is a full-time college student, but I fully endorse her priorities, and she’s a rider that has potential to be involved in the sport at the highest level.”

Currently attending Duke University where she is a psychology major, Springsteen must split her time riding and showing with studying and attending classes. It is difficult to manage school without the pressure of being an international rider, but Springsteen manages to successfully balance both tasks with grace and ease.

“I am very excited to be the recipient of the Maxine Beard award; it is a great honor,” concluded Springsteen. “I am thrilled to have been chosen by the USET Foundation and to be added to a list of such talented riders. Watching the top riders in the world compete is an invaluable learning experience and is incredibly inspirational.”

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com