An emotional evening filled with smiles, tears and riveting stories made precious memories at the Show Jumping Hall of Fame’s annual induction gala.
The gathering Sunday at the Wellington National Golf Club was sold out, an indication of its importance to the sport and those who play a part in it, whatever their role.
The guests got what they came for, poignant salutes to inductee Lee McKeever and well-chosen words from Debbie Dolan Sweeney, the owner of equine inductee Albany, a thoroughbred whose career included an Olympic gold medal.
Also featured were the presentation of the International award to Ireland’s Kevin Babington and a tribute to Mary Mairs Chapot, a female Olympic show jumping pioneer.
Lee, the sport horse manager and advisor to Olympic multi-medalist McLain Ward, was overcome with the significance of the moment as he made his acceptance speech. Many in the room who had benefited from his expertise and counsel over the years cheered his heartfelt remarks.
Baylee, Erica and Lee McKeever; Mclain, Lauren and Madison Ward.
“I’m more comfortable behind the curtain than I am in front of the microphone,” Lee told the crowd.
He then recounted arriving in the U.S. from Dublin 36 years ago and going to work for McLain’s father, Barney Ward, at Castle Hill Farm in New York.
He’s still there.
Of Barney, Lee said, he “gave a kid an open door that changed my life.”
As for being voted into the Hall, he commented, “It’s a dream I’ve imagined, but one built on the backs of great horses and a family I built along the way. It’s a huge honor, and I’m incredibly grateful.”
He gave credit to the horses, commenting, “they gave us everything in the ring and I take great pride in giving them everything in the barn. The horses have been my greatest teachers.”
Lee said that while the Olympic medals and other international honors have been important, he explained, “the win that probably meant the most to me was watching my daughter, Baylee, win the North American Young Rider Championship.”
Lee, who also was the FEI groom of the year in 2018, cited his wife, Erica, as his “rock” and McLain, “a true best friend.”
McLain, who introduced Lee at the ceremony, called him his right-hand man and best friend. The foundation of the friendship was formed early. The rider recalled how as a kid, he would sleep on the floor of Lee’s room when things went sideways in his home.
“There have been some really difficult moments,” McLain admitted.
“We’ve had some challenges that we have overcome and we have had some great, glorious triumphs.
“But for me, the true story of what makes Lee’s story and his career so phenomenal is everything in between those moments. It’s the hard work and the grit and the determination that saw us through some of those times.
“He’s had my back at every turn, he’s been by my side at every victory and been there for me at every dark moment.”
Members of the Hall of Fame Back row; Lee McKEever, Laura Kraut, Leslie Burr Howard, Beezie Madden, Norman Dello Joio. Middle row: Peter Doubleday, Michael Matz, Robert Ridland, Linda Allen, David Distler, Steve Stephens. Front row: Anne Kursinski, Margie Engle, Melanie Smith Taylor, Katie Monahan Prudent, Mary Mairs Chapot. (Photo © 2026 by Nancy Jaffer)
Debbie Dolan Sweeney flew in from a family reunion in California to tell everyone about Albany, who was foaled in Oklahoma in 1975. She noted he was a two-time Horse of the Year, and the 1984 Mercedes that came with the honor is still running.
She identifies Albany with courage, explaining he jumped the demanding American Invitational with Joanne Kovacs as a seven-year-old, then went on to the gold medal team at the 1984 Olympics with Leslie Burr Howard.
When she learned Albany was going to be inducted, she though of “the joy she brought to our family as newcomers to show jumping. We were blessed to be part of his career. And thank you to Leslie Howard and Bruce Burr for seeing his potential and inviting the Dolan family along for the ride.”
Debbie pointed out that the same year Albany reached the pinnacle of the sport at the Olympics, she earned her first grand prix win on him. She offered thanks to all who had helped, including David Snyder, his Olympic groom and Dr. Rick Mitchell, his veterinarian. She also spoke about “two people integral to team Albany, my mother and father,” Charles and Helen Dolan.
“Albany was the spark for a four-decade love of horses.”
The journey included the World Cup, world championships, Olympics, Pan Am gold and multiple Horse of the Year honors. Among Debbie’s many victories with Albany was the 1989 Ladies Show Jumping Championship in Great Britain.
“Over all that time, it wasn’t ambition, awards or recognition that drove them,” she said, referring to her parents.
“It was a desire to give…because they wanted to make you smile. They wanted to make you happy. They did this for you, not themselves. Albany started it all. Thank you, Albany, for the memories, the lessons and the inspiration that lasted decades after your illustrious career.”
Marty Bauman, David Snyder, Debbie Dolan Sweeney, Leslie Burr Howard, Peter Doubleday.
Kevin Babington, another Irish immigrant, addressed the guests from his wheelchair. Six years ago, a fall in a grand prix damaged his spinal cord and left him paralyzed.
His time as a show jumping star was over, along with his ability to walk and move on his own. But he has continued to fight, and remains part of the scene by teaching and staying in touch with all his friends and supporters.
Kevin Babington with Dianna Babington and their daughters, Marielle and Gwyneth.
He told everyone at the dinner that he was proud of finishing fourth in the 2004 Olympics with an Irish flag on his jacket, “but it was on an American-owned horse (Carling King) and I will never forget that. I would like to say thank you to everybody. It’s a very special moment for me. I’m very honored.”
Mary Chapot, a member of the Hall’s Class of 1992, is a native of California who made history by riding in the Olympics when women were permitted to compete in show jumping at the Games for the first time in 1964, the year after she won double gold at the Pan American Games on her brilliant Tomboy.
Mary, who also rode in the 1968 Olympics, married her teammate, Frank Chapot. Their daughters, Wendy Chapot Nunn and Laura Chapot, are top-notch riders.
Laura Chapot, Mary Chapot and Wendy Chapot Nunn
They read a speech that she wrote, which began: “Dream, believe, achieve; words that i have tried to follow when I can.”
She recounted that her first horse was a $300 off-the-track thoroughbred. Mary took lessons at the Flintridge Riding Club and cared for her horses in a backyard barn. Scouted by U.S. Equestrian Team Coach Bertalan de Nemethy as part of a nationwide screening trial, she was invited to the team headquarters in Gladstone, N.J., for training. Then she rode with the team at the Washington International Horse Show, where President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, were in the box seats.
“Show jumping is a game of extreme highs and unfortunate lows, but boy, is it worth it if you have the desire and work ethic to make it happen,” she wrote.
“I want to end with my wish for all. If you have a dream, go chase it. If you feel hope, don’t waste it. Tomorrow is undecided Never take a single success for granted. Enjoy, appreciate and get on to the future. The story is yours; go write it.”
2025 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series Rider of the Year JJ Torano, center, with Mary Bauman, the Hall’s executive director and its chairman, Peter Doubleday.
The evening was one to cherish. Seeing so many legends in the room was both inspiring and heart-warming for everyone who was a part of it.
Expressing his gratitude for those who keep the gala going, McLain said, “It is incredibly important to our sport that we honor our heritage, that we remember the greats who have led the way for us in the sport. And it’s important that we don’t let these things die out.”
