Photo Gallery: Eventers Celebrated at USEA Year-End Awards

The USEA Year-End Awards Ceremony is a special time we always look forward to. On this night horses and riders are celebrated for their achievements throughout the year, extraordinary individuals are honored for their service to the sport, and we bid fairwell to the year and look ahead to new and exciting adventures in eventing.

It was a joyful night for Jennie Brannigan, who was awarded the coveted $30,000 "Big Becky" International Developing Rider Grant which may be used to offset expenses incurred competing overseas. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

It was a joyful night for Jennie Brannigan, who was awarded the coveted $30,000 “Big Becky” International Developing Rider Grant which may be used to offset expenses incurred competing overseas. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jennie and Elsbeth Battel's 8-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred mare Stella Artois was awarded the $25,000 Connaught Grant, which is given to a one- or two-star horse that shows U.S. team potential and is awarded in honor of the late Bruce Duchossois. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jennie and Elsbeth Battel’s 8-year-old Holsteiner/Thoroughbred mare Stella Artois was awarded the $25,000 Connaught Grant, which is given to a one- or two-star horse that shows U.S. team potential and is awarded in honor of the late Bruce Duchossois. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

"I cannot even begin to describe what this amount of support means and feel pretty grateful that I live in a country where this is even possible," Jennie said after the ceremony. "Thank you all so much... I am hungry... and I will strive to make the horse and people that these two grants are in memory of proud in the future." Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

“I cannot even begin to describe what this amount of support means and feel pretty grateful that I live in a country where this is even possible,” Jennie said after the ceremony. “Thank you all so much… I am hungry… and I will strive to make the horse and people that these two grants are in memory of proud in the future.” Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants are designed to assist and to encourage the development of event riders at the highest level of the sport. Mackenna Shea, 24, received the $10,000 "Little Becky" Developing Rider Grant. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Rebecca Broussard Developing Rider Grants are designed to assist and to encourage the development of event riders at the highest level of the sport. Mackenna Shea, 24, received the $10,000 “Little Becky” Developing Rider Grant. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton's Rio Olympic Games partner Mighty Nice, owned by the HND Group, won the Jump for Joy Overall Horse of the Year Award. Phillip Dutton is also the Advanced Adult Rider of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Phillip Dutton’s Rio Olympic Games partner Mighty Nice, owned by the HND Group, won the Jump for Joy USEA Overall Horse of the Year Award. Phillip Dutton is also the Advanced Adult Rider of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Under Suspection, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Mary Ann Ghadban and ridden by Hannah Sue Burnett, won Devoucoux USEA Mare of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Under Suspection, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Mary Ann Ghadban and ridden by Hannah Sue Burnett, won Devoucoux USEA Mare of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Devoucoux Overall Lady Rider of the Year went to Lauren Kieffer. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The Devoucoux Overall Lady Rider of the Year went to Lauren Kieffer. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jenny Caras, 21,is the 2016 Young Rider of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Jenny Caras, 21,is the 2016 Young Rider of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Kendal Tracy received the Christine E. Stafford Eventing Groom Award, presented by Former USEA CEO and Current USEA Development Officer Jo Whitehouse. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Kendyl Tracy received the Christine E. Stafford Eventing Groom Award, presented by Former USEA CEO and Current USEA Development Officer Jo Whitehouse. Kendal also received the Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award during the PRO Awards on Friday. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Susie Beale's Batteries Not Included received the Theodore O'Connor Trophy as the 2016 Overall Point Two USEA Pony of the Year. His rider Annabelle Kress (pictured) is the Junior Beginner Novice Rider of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Susie Beale’s Batteries Not Included received the Theodore O’Connor Trophy as the 2016 Overall Point Two USEA Pony of the Year. His rider Annabelle Kress (pictured) is the Junior Beginner Novice Rider of the Year. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The newly formed Roger Haller Educational Fund was formed to assist in the education and licensing of officials, judges and course designers in honor of the late Roger Haller. The Fund awarded its first two scholarships last night to Valerie Vizcarrondo and John Williams. Roger Haller's wife Ann presented these awards with USEA President Carol Kozlowski. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

The newly formed Roger Haller Educational Fund was formed to assist in the education and licensing of officials, judges and course designers in honor of the late Roger Haller. The Fund awarded its first two scholarships last night to Valerie Vizcarrondo and John Williams. Roger Haller’s wife Ann presented these awards with USEA President Carol Kozlowski. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Howard Simpson received the USEA President's Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of dedicated service to the sport. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Howard Simpson received the USEA President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of dedicated service to the sport. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Christine Aytug's health forced her to put riding on hold, but she has remained active in the sport. She received the Ironmaster Award, which is given to which is given to an individual that exemplifies fortitude and courage. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Christine Aytug’s health forced her to put riding on hold, but she has remained active in the sport. She received the Ironmaster Award, which is given to which is given to an individual that exemplifies fortitude and courage. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Mary Hutchins received the Wofford Cup and the Governors Cup. Jerome Broussard, Sharon Anthony and Kaiti Saunders also received the Governors Cup. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Mary Hutchins received the Wofford Cup and the Governors Cup. Jerome Broussard, Sharon Anthony and Kaiti Saunders also received the Governors Cup. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

For a full list of 2016 USEA Year-End Award winners, click here. Thanks for joining us for the 2016 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention at the Diplomat Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We’re signing off for now but stay tuned for much more throughout the week and be sure to check out the USEA website for even more coverage and important member news.