On January 10, some of the best equestrians in the nation, from across all breeds and disciplines, were honored at the annual USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner and were presented with equestrian sports' most prestigious awards in recognition of their 2013 competitive achievements. Several of the top Hunter and Jumper athletes and participants were among the award winners.
USEF Equestrian of the Year
From among eight other Equestrians of Honor recognized during the evening, Beezie Madden was ultimately named USEF Equestrian of the Year, marking the third time she has been bestowed with the honor. This two-time Olympic Team Gold medalist firmly established her standing as one of show jumping's elite with top finishes nationally and abroad, including the coveted Rolex/FEI World Cup Championship.
Madden's amazing 2013 season began with a victory in the $125,000 FEI W-Cup Grand Prix CSI3* at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival with Abigail Wexner's Cortes 'C'. She was instrumental in the U.S. win of the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup with mount Simon, also owned by Wexner. The icing on Madden's cake came in April at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals where she and Simon enjoyed victory.
Emerson Burr Trophy
Fellow Equestrian of Honor, Elizabeth "Liza" Boyd received the 2013 Emerson Burr Trophy, an annual award presented to the top Hunter rider, from any breed which shows over fences. Boyd started the season strong at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival claiming Champion and Reserve Champion honors in the Gold Coast High Performance Working Hunter section in February. Summer found her victorious in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and for the fall Indoor season, her talents and adaptability were capped with the win at the World Championship Hunter Rider Professional Finals.
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