Tag Archives: USEF Equestrian of the Year

Dutton Wins USEF Equestrian of the Year Title at 2017 Pegasus Awards

Lexington, Ky. – To close out a year of milestones, Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) was awarded the Robert P. Strub Trophy as the 2016 USEF Equestrian of the Year at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner.

In 2016, Dutton began the year by receiving the prestigious Whitney Stone Cup from the USET Foundation. His competition season began with a win in the CIC3* with Fernhill Fugitive at the Red Hills International Horse Trials. Dutton then placed fourth and fifth in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Land Rover CCI4* with Mighty Nice and Fernhill Cubalawn, respectively. He partnered with Fernhill Fugitive again to win Team Gold in the FEI Nations Cup™ CICO3* at the Land Rover Great Meadow International presented by Adequan®. With Mighty Nice, Dutton was a member of the U.S. Eventing Team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he won an Individual Bronze medal.

Nine equestrians were recognized for their competitive achievements in 2016 and honored with the following trophies:

Becky Grand Hart Trophy – Stefanie Putnam
Norman K. Dunn Trophy – Ted Carson
C. J. “June” Cronan Trophy – Joel Kiesner
Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy – Lou Roper
Bill Robison Trophy – Gail Aumiller
Vaughan Smith Trophy – Cynthia Burkman
William C. Steinkraus Trophy – Phillip Dutton and Laura Graves
Emerson Burr Trophy – Hunt Tosh

Additionally, Lawrence “Larry” Langer, who has been part of the horse industry for 66 years, from starting lessons as a child to his induction into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, was honored for his devotion to equestrian sport with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Visit USEF Network to see the video honoring Langer at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner.

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Traband received the Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy as the 2016 Junior Equestrian of the Year for her honor, courage, dedication, and sportsmanship.

The following equestrians were also honored for their service to the sport with many of the most prestigious awards bestowed annually:

USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award – Suzy Marquard of GallopNYC
Walter B. Devereux Sportsmanship Award – Sherry Cole
Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit – William Becker, Roger Haller, and Parry Thomas
Pegasus Medal of Honor – Fran Crumpler and Kelly Valdes
Ellen Scripps Davis Memorial Breeders Award – Mary Gaylord McClean and Spy Coast Farm
Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy – Chrystine Tauber

© 2017 US Equestrian Federation

Madden Wins USEF Equestrian of the Year Title for Fourth Time at 2014 Pegasus Awards

2014 USEF Equestrian of the Year Beezie Madden (SusanJStickle.com)

Lexington, Ky. – To close out a year of milestones, Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) was awarded the Robert P. Strub Trophy as the 2014 USEF Equestrian of the Year at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner. In the process the jumping superstar again made history as the first athlete to ever earn the coveted title four times.

The 2005, 2006, and 2013 Equestrian of the Year extended her legacy in 2014 with a remarkable campaign that saw her collect victories throughout North America and Europe. Her season began with multiple top placings at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival before claiming her third American Invitational title in Miami and a win in the Gran Premio Veracruz at CSIO4* Coapexpan. In May, Madden suffered a broken collarbone that forced her out of the saddle, but the steely veteran returned on remarkable form, helping the U.S. to Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup victories at CSIO5*s Hickstead and Dublin. In addition to producing a double-clear in Hickstead’s Nation Cup, she made history two days later as the first women to ever win the The Longines King George V Gold Cup. Madden closed out the summer by anchoring the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team to Team Bronze at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where she also added Individual Bronze to her medal haul. Her season concluded with strong performances jumping at indoors, including scoring a remarkable win in the CP World Cup Qualifier at the National Horse Show.

Nine equestrians were recognized for their competitive achievements in 2014 and honored with the following trophies:

Becky Grand Hart Trophy – Diane Kastama
Norman K. Dunn Trophy – Howard Peet
C. J. “June” Cronan Trophy – Mary Gaylord McLean and Jacques Van Niekerk
Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy – Bruce Griffin
Bill Robison Trophy – Gareth Selwood
Vaughan Smith Trophy – Larry Hoffman
William C. Steinkraus Trophy – Beezie Madden
Emerson Burr Trophy – Liza Boyd

To learn more about the 2014 USEF Equestrians of Honor, click here.

Additionally, Judy Werner, who has played an influential role in the American Saddlebred industry for decades, was honored for her devotion to equestrian sport as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner with the Jimmy A Williams Trophy. Watch a video honoring Werner that was played at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner here.

Para-Equestrian Sydney Collier received the Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy as 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year for her honor, courage, dedication, and sportsmanship.

The following equestrians were also honored for their service to the sport with many of the most prestigious awards bestowed annually:

Honor Roll of Distinguished Officials Award – Gary Baker, Fern Bittner, Joe Darby, Mindy Darst, Walter Distler, Meredith Kistler
USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award – American Saddlebred Horse Association Equine Welfare Committee
The Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit – Fern Bittner, Bruce Duchossois, Bazy Tankersley
Pegasus Medal of Honor – Francine Dismukes, David Distler, Mary Woolverton
The Ellen Scripps Davis Memorial Breeders Award – Tish Quirk
The Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy – Bill Hughes

From the USEF Communications Department

Vote Chester Weber for USEF Equestrian of the Year

Team Weber in the dressage phase at the 2012 CAI Altenfelden. (Photo courtesy of www.hippoevent.at)

Ocala, FL (December 13, 2013) – Ten-time USEF National Four-in-Hand Champion, 2012 World Driving Championships Individual Silver and Team Bronze Medalist, and 2010 World Equestrian Games Silver medalist Chester Weber has been nominated for the one of the most prestigious titles in American horse sport: the USEF Pegasus Award as Equestrian Of The Year (EOTY).  But to win Weber needs an act of teamwork from his nation’s horsemen comparable to that of his champion horses.

Weber’s competition record abroad as well as in the US was one of the prime motivators behind his nomination for Equestrian of the Year, and through his success, leadership, horsemanship and generosity he has continued to demonstrate his dedication to the sport and industry.  In addition to his landmark 10th national title, he drove his team to a string of European successes including wins at the 2014 WEG test event at CAI-Caen, CAIO Saumur, and top three finishes at Beekbergen and Aachen, assuring that 2013 will go down as one of the greatest seasons ever in the history of American combined driving.  As the European press cited this year’s list of nominees for Equestrian of the Year as lacking dressage representation, a vote for the Weber would take the edge off such accusations, as his near-flawless dressage phases have earned him the worldwide sobriquet of ‘Mr. Dressage’.

Through winning its 2013 Becky Grand Hart Award for international success in a non-Olympic discipline, Weber became an USEF Equestrian of Honor and candidate for its coveted Equestrian of the Year title. The nomination stems from exceptional performance in the international arena and a dedication to community service and improving the equestrian industry.

Chester Weber at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Schyett Photography)
Chester Weber at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Schyett Photography)

Weber’s own history of giving back is as impressive as his competitive record.  He has served on numerous boards and committees, including a current seat on the USEF Board of Directors, and his philanthropic contributions to the sport and his community remain numerous year after year.

His most endearing accomplishment has been equal parts philanthropy and competitive achievement: In 2001 he purchased Jamaica, a partbred Hackney rescued from slaughter in Holland.  When life as a Bruges carriage horse didn’t pan out, he was purchased by Weber and integrated into his team. The results exceeded anyone’s expectations.

With the plucky rescue horse in harness, Team Weber collected multiple victories including national titles and a Silver Medal at the 2008 World FEI Championships. The same year, Jamaica was named Farnam Platform Horse of the Year by the USEF and, in keeping with his dedication to the equine industry and his horse’s history as a rescue, he donated Jamaica’s Horse of the Year winnings — a year’s worth of feed – to local horse rescues in Ocala.

“My commitment has always been to present American horses and horse sport in the best possible light on the international stage, and to lead by example that great horses are the product of strong foundations in training and care.  Jamaica’s story, from slaughterhouse to medals podium, helped raise awareness for rescue programs, which play an important role at the grassroots level of our industry.  I’m humbled to have been nominated as an Equestrian of Honor and will continue to focus on great horse care as the foundation to great horse careers,” said Weber.

Voting for the Equestrian of the Year from among the Equestrians of Honor is now open to all USEF members through December 30, 2013.  The winner will be announced on January 10, 2014.  To vote, visit the Equestrian of the Year website at https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/eoty/.

Follow Team Weber at www.chesterweber.com and via Facebook.

For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139

Announcing the 2013 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Is Now Open!

Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)

Lexington, Ky. – Voting is now open for the coveted 2013 USEF Equestrian of the Year award. Following decades of tradition, the winner will again be announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards gala. This year’s gala will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Lexington in Lexington, Ky., and broadcast live on the USEFNetwork presented by Smartpak.

Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian sport across the USEF’s breeds and disciplines recently received a unique competitive trophy. Just one of them will win the distinguished grand prize and be named the “2013 USEF Equestrian of the Year.”

Below are the nominees and the distinctive honors they have achieved:

Beezie Madden
Cazenovia, N.Y.
Show Jumping

The William C. Steinkraus Trophy is presented to an equestrian competing in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, eventing, or show jumping.

In 2013, Beezie Madden cemented her status among the sport’s elite as she won at nearly every turn. She began her record-setting campaign at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival winning the $125,000 FEI W-Cup Grand Prix CSI3* presented by Spy Coast Farm before aiding in the winning U.S. effort in the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm. Also during CSIO Wellington, she produced a second-place effort in the feature Grand Prix, the $150,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix presented by Wellington Equestrian Realty.

In April, Madden traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to claim the one title that had eluded her in her illustrious career, the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final crown. She kicked off the week with a win in the Speed Leg before jumping three more consistent rounds with Simon to force a jump-off with the reigning Olympic champion, where a clear effort saw her claim victory. She continued to dominate in Europe producing an impressive two double clears in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup competitions and a Longines Global Champion Tours Grand Prix of Chantilly victory over the summer with Cortes ‘C.’ Madden then helped the U.S. to a win in the Consolation Round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. As a testament to her 2013 success, Madden spent three months as the second ranked rider in the world on the Longines/FEI Rankings.

This is the third time Madden has been awarded the William C. Steinkraus Trophy.

Chester Weber
Ocala, Fla.
Driving

The Becky Grand Hart Trophy is presented to international-level non-Olympic athletes.

Chester Weber added to his legacy in 2013 with a campaign that saw him win at home and abroad against many of the best Four-in-Hand drivers in the world. He got off to a hot start with a win in the Four-in-Hand division at Little Everglades CDE in February. The following month, Weber and his team secured another victory, this time on his home turf at the Live Oak International CDE with an impressive performance. He then traveled to Europe, where he once again took the world by storm. At the Saumur CAI-A4, he topped a world-class field with a masterful effort over the three phases of competition. To finish his summer campaign, Weber was again victorious in France winning the Caen CAI-A4, which served as the Test Event for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Also while in Europe, the talented driver produced third-place efforts at CHIO Aachen and CAI Beekbergen.

Weber finished out the season by earning a record 10th USEF Four-in-Hand National Championship at the Kentucky Classic CDE. Always regarded for his skill on the first day, he proved his proficiency in the dressage by going undefeated in the phase throughout the year. Additionally, Weber used his expertise to help other drivers as he served Chef d’Equipe guiding the U.S. team to a fourth-place finish at the FEI World Driving Championships for Pairs.

This is the third time Weber has been awarded the Becky Grand Hart Trophy.

Chris and Sonya Bickford
Sherwood, Ore.
Arabian/Friesian

The Bill Robinson Trophy is presented to an equestrian competing with horses or ponies across all the breeds in harness or for driving performance in non-international competitions.

Chris and Sonya Bickford have a long history in the sport of Carriage Pleasure Driving, having bred, trained, and driven many National Champions. Both Chris and Sonya developed a passion for equestrian competition in their childhoods and have competed across numerous divisions and disciplines, but it is in Carriage Pleasure Driving that their passion lies. The Bickfords run a truly family business, as they produced their champions themselves, with husband and wife always supporting one another.

In 2013, the Bickfords once again enjoyed an extremely successful show season that has often seen them heading the field. In 2013, Chris earned two Carriage Pleasure Driving National Championships in the Working and Gambler’s Choice divisions as well as garnering four National Top 10s in Turnout, Pick Your Route, Reinmanship, and Timed Obstacles at the 2013 U.S. Arabian & Half Arabian Sport Horse National Championship Show. Additionally, he drove the second-ranked USEF National High Point for Carriage Pleasure Driving Single Horse. Sonya had a wildly successful season in her own right as well, driving to the Arabian & Half-Arabian Sport Horse National Champion Carriage Pleasure Driving Reinmanship and Arabian & Half-Arabian Sport Horse Reserve National Champion Carriage Pleasure Driving Working titles. She is actively competing with the leading USEF National Champion Carriage Pleasure Driving Single and Grand National Champion Carriage Pleasure Driving horse, trained by Chris.

This is the first time Chris and Sonya Bickford have been awarded the Bill Robinson Trophy.

Liza Boyd (Shawn McMillen Photography)
Liza Boyd (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Liza Boyd
Camden, S.C.
Hunter

The Emerson Burr Trophy is presented to a rider in the hunter divisions in any breed over fences.

Liza Boyd has long been regarded as one of the top hunter professionals in the industry, and in 2013 she added to her legacy with a season of which many could only dream. Boyd paired with multiple horses over the last 12 months to earn top prizes at many of the United States’ most prestigious competitions in coveted classes. She got the season off to a strong start at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival claiming Champion and Reserve Champion honors in the Gold Coast High Performance Working Hunter division in February. In the fall, she showed her skill and adaptability by winning the WCHR Professional Finals, where riders competed with donated horses over the first two rounds.

However, August would host Boyd’s biggest career victory when she bested a star-studded field in the 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships with longtime partner Brunello. This was the pair’s fifth International Hunter Derby win in as many months after topping fields in the Camden Spring International Hunter Derby, the Atlanta Spring International Hunter Derby, the Atlanta Summer International Hunter Derby, and the BRCHS International Hunter Derby. Boyd and Brunello kicked off their championship season with strong second-place finishes in the Jacksonville Finale International Hunter Derby before placing second in the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

This is the first year Boyd has been awarded the Emerson Burr Trophy.

Jim Stachowski
Mantua, Ohio
Arabian

The C. J. “June” Cronan Trophy is presented to those exceling in under saddle show breeds.

Jim Stachowski has managed and operated Stachowski Farms for over 30 years and helped the business expand beyond Ohio and into California and Arizona. Stachowski is not only highly regarded for his success in the show ring, but also for his innate ability to mentor young trainers as well as pair clients with top horses, helping many of those that have come through his program to earn national honors.

In 2013, Stachowski’s success in the show ring speaks for itself, as the talented and diverse trainer and rider earned countless top prizes throughout the year in the American Saddlebred and Arabian disciplines. At the World’s Grand Championship Show at the Kentucky State Fair, he garnered World Championship titles in the Three-Year Old Three-Gaited and Three-Year Old Park Pleasure Futurity divisions, as well as a World Reserve Grand Champion Fine Harness Stallion/Gelding Stake title. Stachowski’s storied foothold in the Arabian show arena was punctuated with top honors in the Half-Arabian English Pleasure Futurity and Country English Pleasure Championships and Reserve National Championships in the English Pleasure and the Half-Arabian English Pleasure Junior Horse classes at the 2013 U.S. Arabian & Half Arabian National Championship Show.

2013 is the second time Stachowski has been awarded the C. J. “June” Cronan Trophy.

Rick Gervasio
Ocala, Fla.
Morgan

The Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy is presented to an equestrian showing in a non-reining Western discipline.

Rick Gervasio has been riding horses almost as long as he has been walking. A second-generation horseman, he has shown National Champions in five different breeds, showing his versatility is as broad as the abilities of the horses he has trained. World renown as a trainer of winning Quarter Horses, Paint, and Appaloosa western pleasure horses, Gervasio accepted his first Morgan for training in 2008. The talented competitor and trainer quickly began to acquire the necessary knowledge to take Morgan horses to the top.

Gervasio has competed at the Morgan Grand National in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the last three years, garnering a plethora of top finishes. In 2011, 2012, and 2013 he earned multiple World and Reserve World Championships, as well as Grand National Championships in the ever competitive Western Pleasure division. His versatility extends beyond the western pleasure division, as he continually earns top honors in Trail and Western Dressage is a true testament to his skill and versatility. In five short years, Gervasio has established himself as one of the top western trainers in the Morgan breed.

This is the first time Gervasio has been awarded the Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy.

Bruce Griffin (Mystical Photography)
Bruce Griffin (Mystical Photography)

Bruce Griffin
Gretna, Va.
Friesian

The Norman K. Dunn Trophy is presented to the equestrian competing at halter or in-hand.

Notably a true horseman, Bruce Griffin has won numerous national awards in a myriad of breeds, but he is a shining star when it comes to Sport Horse In-Hand and Halter. 2013 proved to be nothing less than a stellar year for Griffin in these divisions. At the IFSHA Grand National and World Championship Show, Griffin earned 10 National and World Titles, eight Reserve National and World Titles, and four Top Five awards in halter and sport horse in-hand classes. Additionally this year, he won the coveted Grand Championship at the prestigious Dressage at Devon Horse Show. Adding to his accolades in 2013, Griffin has trained and shown the current first-ranked USEF Friesian Halter Horse.

Regardless of his busy schedule Griffin continues to provide working student opportunities for young handlers/riders to further their knowledge in the industry. This year, he offered many young students the opportunity to show at the IFSHA Nationals Championships where they were very successful and earned numerous National and World Titles in Halter and Sport Horse In-Hand.

This is the second consecutive year Griffin has been awarded the Norman K. Dunn Trophy.

Martha Rattner
Paris, Ky.
Arabian

The Vaughan Smith Trophy is presented to the best rider of any horse or pony breed shown in hunter pleasure, show hack, hunter hack, dressage hack, costume, side saddle, or Western dressage.

Martha Rattner has built a career based on professionalism, integrity, showmanship, and horsemanship, all attributes imparted on her by her mentor Professor Norm Dunn. In addition to her accomplishments in the Arabian and Half-Arabian and National Show Horse divisions, Rattner has been in the spotlight in the Sport Horse In-Hand division since 2009, earning over 850 achievement points with five different horses she trained herself, with three of those horses having been awarded their Legion of Masters.

An Arabian Horse Association Hall of Fame member, she has a long list of career accomplishments which include multiple National titles in the Ladies Side Saddle, English, and Pleasure Driving divisions. More recently Rattner has been a fixture in the winner’s circle of Arabian Sport Horse, Dressage, and English Trail division with an outstanding year in 2013 which saw her win 23 Regional Championships, nine National Top Tens, and a Reserve National Championship.

2013 is the first year that Rattner has been awarded the Vaughn Smith Trophy.

Voting Is Now Open!

One of these eight award-winners will be honored as the overall 2013 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Now, it is up to you – USEF members and the USEF Board of Directors – to decide who will receive the top tribute for 2013.

Simply visit https://www.usef.org/_IFrames/eoty/Default.aspx and type in your USEF membership number to access the voting portal. Voting will end at Midnight [ET] on Monday, December 30, 2013.

For more information regarding the Equestrian of the Year program or any of the eight Equestrians of Honor, contact Trisha Watkins, USEF Awards Manager, at 859.225.6944 or tlwatkins@usef.org.

Cast Your Vote for Chester Weber and Help Him Make History as the First Combined Driver to Win Equestrian of the Year!

Combined Driver Chester Weber has been named a USEF Equestrian of Honor and is in the running for the 2011 Equestrian of the Year title. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (December 17, 2011) – United States Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, has been named a USEF Equestrian of Honor. One of eight equestrians in the country to receive the prestigious honor, voting is now underway to select one of the eight to become the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year – the most esteemed and sought after award in the country. The Equestrian of the Year is selected by the votes of the USEF general membership, the USEF Board of Directors and the Media. Weber’s fans are encouraged to go to the USEF website and cast their votes and name Weber the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year!  Although Chester has been nominated for the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year in the past, he would be the first combined driver to win the prestigious title.  The winner will be announced at the end of the 2011 competition year and is announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards Ceremony in January.

Weber’s stellar show record, along with his upstanding character and desire to support and give back to the equestrian community, helped him win the 2011 Equestrian of Honor title. Each of the eight USEF Equestrians of Honor were awarded a unique competitive trophy and Weber won the 2011 Becky Grand Hart Trophy, representing the best competitor of any horse or pony breed in international driving, endurance, reining, vaulting or Para-equestrian competitions.

Continue reading Cast Your Vote for Chester Weber and Help Him Make History as the First Combined Driver to Win Equestrian of the Year!

USEF Announces the 2011 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Is Now Open!

Chester Weber. Picsofyou.com

Lexington, KY – Voting is now open for the coveted 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year, which, following decades of tradition, comes at the end of the 2011 competition year and is announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards celebration in January.

Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian sport – across breed and discipline – each recently received a unique competitive trophy. These honors will be presented during the celebrated Pegasus Awards on January 14 at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, OH.

But now it is time to pick just one of these Equestrians of Honor to win the distinguished grand prize: the 2011 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Here are the nominees, and the distinctive honors they have achieved:

Continue reading USEF Announces the 2011 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Is Now Open!

McCutcheon Scores 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year Title; Harris Honored for a Lifetime of Excellence

Tom McCutcheon, Don Harris and Kelsey Kimbler. Photo: Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF

Lexington, KY – In a year that equestrian sport was forever changed in the United States, an all-American horseman was honored for his golden achievement. For the second consecutive year, the voters for USEF Horse and Equestrian of the Year have crowned a horse and his rider as champions in both categories.

Tom McCutcheon, the only American double Gold medalist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games had barely finished celebrating the achievements of Gunners Special Nite as 2010 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year on Friday evening at the USEF Annual Meeting, when he would find himself on stage again, this time picking up an honor all his own.

McCutcheon wrote his place in history, becoming the first reiner to be crowned USEF Equestrian of the Year.

Continue reading McCutcheon Scores 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year Title; Harris Honored for a Lifetime of Excellence

USEF Announces the 2010 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Now Open!

Steffen Peters, Equestrian of the Year in 2009. Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Lexington, KY – December 21, 2010 – And the winner is: up to you! Voting begins today for the coveted 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year, which, following decades of tradition comes at the end of the 2010 competition year and is announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation’s annual Pegasus Awards celebration in January.

Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, eight stars of equestrian sport — across breed and discipline — each recently received a unique competitive trophy. These honors will be presented during the celebrated Pegasus Awards on January 22 at the Downtown Hyatt Regency in Lexington.

But now it is time to pick just of these Equestrians of Honor to win the distinguished grand prize: the 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year. Here are the nominees, and the distinctive honors they have achieved:

Continue reading USEF Announces the 2010 Equestrian of the Year Nominees; Voting Now Open!