The US Equestrian Annual Meeting took place last week on January 9th-12th, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. In case you missed it, check out our recap of the events’ proceedings from the 9th and 10th, plus the 11th and 12th.
One of the highlights of the Annual Meeting, of course, is the awards ceremony: over two nights, the Pegasus Awards are given to outstanding individuals, and Horse of the Year awards the national and international horse who had peerless performances in 2018.
Who took home top honors for 2018? Here’s the complete scoop, plus some of the inspiring acceptance speeches from honorees.
2018 Equestrian of the Year: Laura Graves
2018 Equestrian of the Year – Laura Graves
"I come from a family of athletes and it wasn’t until I settled into equestrian sport that I really became comfortable with myself. If it weren’t for the family I found in equestrian sport I would be just an uncoordinated awkward girl without very many friends, so thank you all for being my friends.” -2018 USEF Equestrian of the Year, Laura Graves
Posted by US Equestrian on Thursday, January 10, 2019
2018 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award: Clea Cloutier
Clea Cloutier- USEF Youth Sportsman's Award
“For the young rider like me who’s never been able to afford a horse, the dedicated equestrian who always had to take the long way around, and the one who never realized their full potential: you’re worthy.” – Clea Cloutier, 2018 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award #PegasusAwards
Posted by US Equestrian on Thursday, January 10, 2019
2018 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year: Isabela de Sousa
Isabela de Sousa- 2018 Junior Equestrian of the Year
"A phrase that I think represents the Sportsman's Charter is that 'it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.' This is exemplified in our sport in the show horse of today with the Retired Racehorse Project and the Thoroughbred Makeover." – Isabela De Sousa, 2018 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year
Posted by US Equestrian on Thursday, January 10, 2019
Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy: Anne Kursinski
Awarded for distinguished service to equestrian sport
Anne Kursinski- Sallie B. Wheeler Award
In her most courageous act of all, Anne shared her heart-wrenching story of abuse in order to protect the young equestrian athletes of today. #PegasusAwards
Posted by US Equestrian on Thursday, January 10, 2019
Walter B. Devereux Sportsmanship Award: Anne Gribbons
Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit: Harry Chapman, Yum Kee Fu, E. Hunter Harrison, Michael Rheinhemier, and J. Richard Wilkinson
Pegasus Medal of Honor: Ellen DiBella, Janine Malone, Debbie McDonald, and Robert Ridland
Ellen Scripps Davis Memorial Breeders’ Award: Allyn McCracken
Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy: Anne Kursinski
Norman K. Dunn Trophy: Bruce Griffin III
C.J. “June” Cronan Trophy: Victoria Gillenwater
Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy: Jody Strand
Bill Robinson Trophy: Eugene Sweeney
Vaughan Smith Trophy: Wendy Potts
William C. Steinkraus Trophy: Laura Graves and McLain Ward
Emerson Burr Trophy: Victoria Colvin
Lifetime Achievement Award: Georgie Green
2018 USEF Lifetime Achievment Award Winner: Georgie Green
Learn more about the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Georgie Green and her incredible accomplishments for our sport, but specifically the American Morgan Horse breed. #PegasusAwards
Posted by US Equestrian on Thursday, January 10, 2019
2018 National Horse of the Year: Cobra the mustang
Cobra: 2018 National Horse of of the Year
From Wild to World Champion, say hello to the 2018 USEF National Horse of the Year: Cobra #JoinTheJoy
Posted by US Equestrian on Saturday, January 12, 2019
2018 International Horse of the Year: Verdades
Verdades: 2018 International Horse of Honor
Verdades and Laura Graves made history for #USADressage this year finishing 2nd at the FEI World Cup Finals, securing individual and team silver at Tryon2018, and climbing to number 1️⃣ on the World Ranking List in October! Tonight he has a chance to add International Horse of the Year to his long list of accolades!
Posted by US Equestrian on Saturday, January 12, 2019
2019 US Equestrian Annual Meeting Links: Website, Meeting Schedule, Broadcast Schedule, Live Stream, Meeting App for iOS/Android, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
Image via US Equestrian.
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