Marty Bauman and Colleen McQuay, two popular members of the equestrian community who are inspirational, influential and important to the hunter/jumper disciplines, received the William J. Moroney Visionary Award at the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s annual meeting in North Carolina this week.
Marty is a man of integrity who is always reaching out to help others. I speak from personal experience on that front, having known him for 40 years as a media chief for many major competitions and equestrian organizations. He is the gold standard in that profession.
The Massachusetts resident founded Classic Communications in 1979. He serves as executive director of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and Museum. He was U.S. press officer at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games; 10 FEI Show Jumping World Cup Finals and the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games.
His expertise in public relations and dedication to horse sport has raised its profile and polished its image over the years.
Marty Bauman on the job. (Photo © by Lawrence J. Nagy)
“If I am being given this award because of what I have given to the horse show world, all I can say is: anything I’ve given to the horse show world is nothing compared to what it has given me,” he said.
He thanked not only USHJA, but also “everyone who has been part of my life and the horse show world itself.”
Colleen, a Texan who has played a key role in some of USHJA’s most popular Hunter programs, is a trainer and rider who served as a founding member of the association.
She has contributed to the success of the International Hunter Derby and Green Hunter Incentive programs, including the Rider Ranking System designed to give more prize money back to riders. She helped establish the Super Series Group in 2012 with the goal of growing the Texas Hunter industry. Her commitment to the Hunter discipline has served members across the country and advanced the sport to what we know it as today.
She is a member of a famous reining family, and the grandmother of hunt seat equitation star Carlee McCutcheon.
“I need to share this with all of the people that I was lucky enough to get to work with over all the years,” said Colleen in accepting her award.
“Thanks to the USHJA and everybody involved in creating these awards and letting us know that our work is appreciated.” She noted that “even the heavy debates are treasured memories.”
Robin Rost-Brown, of Ocala, Florida, is the Volunteer of the Year. This award recognizes volunteers behind the scenes who work long hours with a passion for bringing the sport forward and providing a safe, fair and understandable sport for fellow equestrians.
“This year’s award winner is a person I can count on 100 percent, all of the time. She is integrity through and through. She is strength. She is quiet. She is peace, she is wisdom and she is Robin Rost-Brown,” said USHJA President Mary Knowlton upon presenting the award.
Robin, co-vice president of the USHJA Board of Directors, has spent her life dedicated to the Hunter/Jumper sport. Along with training top riders, she is an “R” Hunter and Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation judge who has presided over shows across the country. In addition to serving on the USHJA’s Board, Joint Equitation Task Force, Hunter Working Group and Rules Committee, she sits on USEF’s National Breeds and Disciplines Council and National Hunter Committee.
“I am so honored to have been selected as the recipient of the USHJA Volunteer Of The Year Award, Robin stated.
“As I read the description of this award I am humbled to learn that it is the highest USHJA honor awarded to a volunteer.” She added she is “forever grateful to Mary Knowlton and the staff for selecting me!”
The recipient of the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award was Linda Andrisani, who has excelled as a trainer, rider and judge. Her 40 years of experience includes presiding at such important competitions as the Capital Challenge, Devon and the Winter Equestrian Festival, as well as international fixtures.
She ran a show hunter barn, Monkton Manor, in Maryland with her late partner, Jack Stedding. Those who know her best describe her as “a mentor to many; an example to all.”
Her governance work includes stints on the USHJA Foundation Board of Directors, USEF’s National Hunter Committe and the USHJA Officials Education Committee.
The President’s Distinguished Service Award recognizes and honors dedication and service by members and volunteers to the USHJA and the sport. It is presented to those who have gone beyond the call of duty to bring the Hunter/Jumper sport to a new level and benefit the USHJA membership. This year’s recipients are Beverly Bedard, Jim Hagman, Connie Tramm Hunt, Liz Soroka, Cricket Stone and Peter Wylde.
Bev, a dedicated horsewoman from Pennsylvania who has been licensed as a recognized steward since 1967, also has her large R for judging Hunters, Hunter Seat Equitation and Jumpers. She has stewarded prestigious competitions including the National Horse Show, Capital Challenge, Gulf Coast Classics, Tryon International Equestrian Center, Upperville, Pennsylvania National Horse Show and many more. In 2013, she was awarded The Edna Lytle Perpetual Trophy during the USEF Pony Finals for her dedication and service to the Hunter/Jumper community.
Jim has been a professional in the Hunter/Jumper sport for more than 40 years after building a successful lesson and training program, Elvenstar, from the ground up in California. His passion is for growing the sport and helping upcoming athletes pave the way for their future, He has turned Elvenstar into not only a top hunter/jumper facility but also focuses on growing horsemanship skills. Elvenstar is host to USHJA programs including hosting MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Regional Training Sessions, is a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy and hosts live educational sessions for the new USHJA Instructor Credential.
Connie is a large R judge for Hunter, Jumping Seat Equitation and Hunter Breeding, and a small “r” Jumper judge. The Michigan resident educates USHJA members through her involvement as a lead clinician in Licensed Official clinics, USHJA education webinars, serving as co-chair of the USHJA Officials Education Committee and a member of the Licensed Officials Committee for USEF.
Liz is well-known at horse shows in the Northeast for her impeccable skills in event coordination, organization, assisting showgrounds crew, building jumps and recently co-founding StableMaster LLC, which enables managers and exhibitors to order stable supplies at shows. The Shelter Island, N.Y., resident’s work has long been recognized, as she was awarded the Vital Horse Show Staff Award 2018 and is an integral part of making sure horse shows run smoothly, whether the task is behind the scenes or out in the ring.
Cricket is heavily involved in USHJA sports governance and educational programs. The Virginian is on the USHJA Board of Directors and holds a USHJA Instructor credential and a large “R”/C1 Steward Measurement Certification. She is a Certified Schooling Supervisor, member of the USHJA Affiliate Regional Council for Zones 3-5, vice chair of the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge Committee and member of the Zone 3 Committee. Her passion for furthering the sport and education of members is a great commitment to the association.
Peter is involved with the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program, serving as National Training Session head clinician since the program’s inception in 2009. The New Yorker’s commitment to the sport, love for horses, and enthusiasm for teaching draws him back to the program each year.