USEF honors a special group of deserving equestrians

The most inspiring moments at the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s annual meeting come during the evening when the Pegasus Awards are presented.

The international and national stars, the volunteers, the notable people who have devoted their lives to horses and the federation are saluted. Their stories may prompt smiles, chuckles or tears, but they are never dull. That has held true over the years, and proved to be the case once again during this year’s meeting in Naples, Fla.

There was such a wide variety of people being saluted from so many disciplines during one evening. It’s fascinating to hear the stories of people who have the horse in common, but different ways of interacting with them.

Octavia Brown, a pioneer in the field of Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies, was presented with the USEF Equus Foundation Humanitarian award. The 79-year-old Hackettstown, N.J.,  resident was simply thrilled with the honor.

“It’s an amazing thing,” she explained.

“I retired two years ago and it never occurred to me that i would get this award. It just means so much to be recognized for all those years.”

Just as important in her view, is that she believes “it shows  national recognition is now being paid to the whole field of therapeutic riding in a way that 50 years ago no one could even dream it would be.”

It’s worth noting that the equestrian portion of the Paralympics, which were not held in conjunction with the Olympics  until1996, have taken on great importance and the U.S. achievements in that competition are being celebrated at the annual meeting. Who would have thought that could happen 50 years ago either?

Mane Stream in Oldwick, N.J., had its roots in the therapeutic program started by Octavia when she was on the ground floor of a movement that took off as she continued to contribute to its growth.

Her last job was at Centenary University, where she founded its therapeutic program and retirement hasn’t kept her from checking in there.

“I’m still involved with my local program as a mentor and advisor. I do still ride at Centenary, I mentor people from all over the country who want to become instructors and I also am a board member for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation, she said,  citing “their work in finding viable research to back up the work we all know is so great.”

Paralympic double gold medalist Roxie Trunnell got double recognition, receiving the Pegasus Medal of Honor and the Becky Grand Hart Trophy. Roxie, who also was on the U.S. bronze medal team, came to the stage in her wheelchair with Karin Flint, the owner of her Paralympic mount Dolton. Karin read Roxie’s speech, in which she recalled that she thought her equestrian career was over when she suffered a stroke. Instead, it just took a different direction.

The new Kip Rosenthal Memorial High Score Equitation Award, named in memory of a beloved teacher and author, went to Zayna Rizvi. She earned the most points in equitation championships during 2021. Zayna was accompanied to the stage by Kip’s sister, Jo Michaels, and Ann Grenci, who taught so many young riders.

Friends who have left us were not forgotten. Among those who got the Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit were former National Horse Show President Mason Phelps and ringmaster John Franzreb, both of whom died in May.

Susan Morey of Hallmark Farm, who passed away a little more than a month ago, received the Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy and the Pegasus Medal of Honor.

It was an emotional moment when her husband, Stan, accepted the awards for the Arabian breeder and competitor, who also was a Morgan trainer. He noted how much his wife would have appreciated the honor, while characterizing his family as “contributors.”  His son, Colter, who came on stage with him, is a police officer and his daughter, Julie is a nurse. Susan was known as a mentor to young equestrians.

Show jumping Olympic multi-medalist Laura Kraut earned the International Equestrian of the Year title, while hunter rider Hunt Tosh was named National Equestrian of the Year.

The highlight of the evening, as always, was presentation of the Lifetime Achievement  Awards.

One of the winners was U.S. Equestrian Team veteran Kathy Kusner, whose story was told by her close friend Olympic double gold medalist Joe Fargis. The first woman to hold a jockey’s license, something that was decided in court when the establishment did not want to accept female jockeys, She also was a pilot and known for starting Horses in the Hood, giving inner-city children an opportunity to experience being involved with horses. Kathy was unable to make the trip from California to accept her award in person.

The other person receiving the prestigious salute was Howard Simpson, whose dedication insured the survival of what is now known as the North American Youth Championships.

During his acceptance speech, Howard in his typically generous style cited the contributions of so many others toward starting and keeping alive what originally was the North American Young Riders Championship. He mentioned Gen. Jonathan Burton, Col. D.W. Thackeray and Capt. Jack Fritz, all gone now; the O’Connor and Broussard families and the volunteers who worked so hard over the years.

“What was really important to me, and what remains important, are the conversations…of passion and knowledge from so many people in and outside of the discipline that you may be working on. (That) is what makes the Federation…so important,” Howard told his audience.

“The dedication of so many people…is outstanding,” he concluded, saying “how that dedication and passion would go on year after year, not for a title, not for a position (but) to bring a point across to represent your fellow equestrians.”