The USEF Pegasus Awards and Year-End Awards Gala this weekend honored participants in the sport and named the 2015 USEF Horses and Equestrian of the Year.
There were no event horses up for USEF Equestrian of the Year, but a competitor in our sister sport of combined driving was awarded International Horse of the Year. PVF Peace of Mind is an 8-year-old Morgan mare owned by Suzy Stafford. “Hunny” won three of three FEI combined driving events entered this year and was the 2015 USEF Single Horse Driving National Champion. Hunny is also a proficient dressage horse under saddle, with multiple wins at First Level.
The National Horse of the Year award went to Brunello, a now 18-year-old Hanoverian gelding owned by Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd. They are a force to be reckoned with in International Hunter Derby competitions and won their third straight USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in 2015.
Verdades and Rothchild were the other International Horses of Honor, and Dash Dip Rock and Glynhafen Hermoine were the additional National Horses of Honor. Videos of all the Horse of the Year nominees can be viewed on the USEF Network.
Elisabeth Goth was named USEF Equestrian of the Year at Friday night’s USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner. She enjoyed success in five- and three-gaited classes throughout 2015, including winning four our of five classes she entered at the UPHA/American Royal National Championship. Click here to read about all nine Equestrian of the Year nominees.
Our own first lady of eventing, Lana DuPont Wright, was given a USEF Lifetime Achievement Award. You can watch a great interview with her about her career with horses at this link. A complete list of equestrians honored for their service to the sport or received trophies for their competitive achievements in 2015 is available here.
The Performance Horse Registry’s Silver Stirrup Awards were given during the USEF Year-End Awards. We congratulate the following Eventing National Champions: Eric Smith and Winchexter (Beginner Novice); Eric Smith and Carina HGF (Novice); Katy Americo and Karvaly (Training); Chelsea Kolman and Dauntless Courage (Preliminary); Courtney Cooper and R-Star (Intermediate); Courtney Cooper and Who’s A Star (Advanced).
Chinch has been having a ball at the USEF Annual Meeting and chronicling all of his adventures on Instagram. Shoutout to EN staffer Erin Critz for winning her own USEF Award. She and her mare Akira Beijing are National Champions in the Morgan Road Hack Division!
[PVF Peace of Mind and Brunello Earn 2015 Horse of the Year Titles]
[Goth Wins USEF Equestrian of the Year Title at 2015 Pegasus Awards]
