Meghan and Pirate at Rolex. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Meghan O’Donoghue, who has had nothing short of an eye-popping year aboard her own Pirate, an 11-year-old off-track Thoroughbred gelding, will receive up to $5,000 to help with training expenses in 2014 thanks to the Amada Pirie Warrington Grant.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps fund both the elite and the developing athletes in each of the High Performance disciplines. Through the USET Foundation, the Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund was founded to benefit event riders in their development into a top U.S. rider. Previous recipients of the grant include Heather Morris and Connor Husain.
The award of this grant tops off an unforgettable year for Meghan and her “pocket rocket.” At the end of the 2012 season, she was awarded the $10,000 Essex Grant. The Essex Grant is designed to help a successful young rider transition into a successful senior rider.
After rocking around her first four-star this spring at Rolex, Megan received the Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant so that she and Pirate could compete at the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials CCI3* in England. Meghan did not disappoint at Blenheim, finishing in 11th place after a clear cross-country round.
Finally, Meghan and Pirate were named to the USEF Eventing High Performance Winter/Spring Training List as World Class pair, capable of being competitive on the international level. She and Pirate will travel south to train with David O’Connor this winter in preparation for a big year in 2014.
Congratulations to Meghan on her vast list of accomplishments this year and on her receipt of the Amanda Pirie Warrington Grant. We can’t wait to see what 2014 brings for this exciting rider and her little horse Pirate.
