Tonight, two days after being named the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s International Rider of the Year, Adrienne Lyle stepped up to the podium again to claim another award
Betsy Juliano’s Salvino, Adrienne’s top mount, was named USEF/Smart Pak International Horse of the Year at the annual meeting in Kentucky. The award was determined by a popular vote, and the stallion has the credentials to warrant his victory.
He and Adrienne partnered for team silvers at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. At this year’s world championships, they were on the team that qualified the U.S. for a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Betsy Juliano, Adrienne Lyle, USEF President Tom O’Mara, Debbie McDonald and Morgan Klingensmith. (Photo courtesy of USEF)
“None of you would know about Salvino without his best friend, trusted confidant, and rider Adrienne Lyle, the USEF International Equestrian of the Year,” said Betsy after accepting the award for her 16-year-old Hanoverian by Sandro Hit.
“She has made this horse who he is. In my opinion, a horse can have talent to the moon but without a rider who he or she can learn from, they will never reach their full potential,” Betsy continued.
“Alongside Adrienne, there is the dedication of trainer Debbie McDonald and head groom Morgan Klingensmith, who have improved [Salvino] along the way.”
Adding to the luster of Adrienne’s weekend, she won Friday night’s freestyle in Wellington, Fla., with Salvino. It was a qualifier for the FEI World Cup Finals to be held this April in Omaha.
On the national side at the USEF annual meeting,the Wheeler family’s Cannon Creek was voted Horse of the Year. The winner of the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby last year, he is ridden by Hunt Tosh, the USEF’s national rider of the year.
“This is an incredible honor for my parents, Ceil and Kenny Wheeler, and my uncle, Douglas Wheeler,” said Sallie-Mason Wheeler in accepting the honor.
“Cannon Creek is a big, sweet, amazing horse. Hunt Tosh and everyone there has done an incredible job with him. On behalf of the Wheeler family and Hunt Tosh Incorporated, we are just extremely grateful.”