Eventer Will Coleman may have missed out on the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s International Rider of the Year award, but he got recognition from the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation, earning the 2023 Whitney Stone Cup.
The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded annually by the Foundation to an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition and whose standard for sportsmanlike conduct and contributions as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET Foundation exemplify the Team’s highest ideals and traditions.
Riding Off the Record, Will was the highest-placed American at the 2022 world championships, finishing seventh, and is the top-rated U.S. rider on the FEI eventing world rankings, standing fifth.
Will Coleman and Off the Record. (Photo © 2022 by Nancy Jaffer)
“It’s a tremendous honor to receive the Whitney Stone Cup,” said the Virginian, a veteran of the 2012 Olympics and 2018 World Equestrian Games.
“The competitors that have received this award are and were some of the greatest horse people in the world — many of whom I’ve looked up to my entire life. Some of the people I most admire in our sport have won it, so to be that person and to be given this award is humbling. I’ve never thought of myself as being the type of person to receive this award, so it’s really gratifying.
“Success in eventing is often at the end of a very long and challenging road,” continued Will.
“For every great experience and achievement, there are many disappointing and formative moments. You go through these ups and downs many times and at many different levels throughout your career. It is thanks to the support from organizations like the USET Foundation, and from your owners and sponsors, that you can continue to climb the ladder and reach your fullest potential. Wherever you have success on an international level, the USET Foundation certainly helps you to get there.”
The Foundation this month also recognized others who have contributed to the sport. Margaret H. Duprey of Wellington, Florida, was presented wtih the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award.The award was created in 2015, paying tribute to its namesake’s leadership, generosity, and outstanding character.
“I’m deeply honored to receive this award in memory of Mr. Duchossois, who was such a well-respected horseperson,” said Margaret.
“This sport has brought me tremendous joy over the years and my hope, as a member of the USET Foundation’s Board of Trustees, is to give back just as much as I’ve received. I aim to support initiatives that ensure the success of our U.S. high performance athletes and teams at major international competitions.”
Margaret has served on the board for more than 15 years, playing an integral role in supporting and donating to several fundraising campaigns.
Most recently, she spearheaded the “Trustee and National Advisory Committee (NAC) Challenge,” that inspired USET Foundation Board of Trustees and NAC members to make contributions and pledge multi-year gift commitments. Thanks to her leadership, the Challenge exceeded its goal and raised more than $3 million for high performance programs.
“Margaret has long been instrumental in supporting high performance equestrian sport in the United States, and I’ve been humbled by her generosity over the years,” stated W. James McNerney, Chairman, President, and CEO, of the USET Foundation.
“Her consistent and active participation on the USET Foundation’s Board of Trustees demonstrates her unwavering commitment to ensuring prominence for our U.S. teams on the world stage.”
In addition to her work with the Foundation, Margaret and her husband, Robert (Bob), own and operate Cherry Knoll Farm Inc., which is home to high performance dressage and show jumping horses that represent the U.S. in international competition.
“Initially, I got involved with U.S. para dressage rider Rebecca Hart as part owner of Schroeter’s Romani, a mare that represented the U.S. at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina,” explained Margaret.
“I loved and respected Rebecca’s passion, drive and desire to win on the international level. That was exciting and led me to get involved with others. Luckily, I had the opportunity to purchase the horse Cedric, which introduced me to (show jumper) Laura Kraut. This all led me to support the USET Foundation.”
Christian Simonson of Ventura, California, received the Foundation’s Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, awarded to a junior or young rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.
Christian, 20, who has amassed an impressive list of accolades as a young rider, joins an elite group of equestrians that have successfully represented the U.S. on an international level.
“I sincerely want to thank those around me including my trainer Adrienne Lyle (the USEF International Rider of the Year) and fellow rider Katie Duerrhammer,” said Christian.
“They are incredible role models that demonstrate what horsemanship truly means. Without them, this would not be possible. I plan to uphold the ideals of the USET Foundation and continue the journey of learning from both human and horse.”
Christian has been a winner already this winter, on Son of a Lady at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Taking advantage of the USEF High Performance Pathway, Christian competed at the 2017 and 2018 North American Youth Championships (NAYC) earning the team gold medal and individual silver medal in the Junior division in 2017 and the team silver medal in the Young Rider division in 2018. Simonson was also awarded the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze and silver medals in 2017.
In 2021, he won triple gold in the Young Rider division at NAYC riding Zeaball Diawind and he was also selected to represent the U.S. at the Future Champions Nations Cup in Hagen, Germany, where the team took home bronze. In the summer of 2022, Christian and Son of a Lady had a third-place podium finish in the Young Rider Freestyle at CHIO Aachen in Germany.