US showjumper Beezie Madden has made history as the first rider to win the USEF Equestrian of the Year title four times, after the New York based equestrian was honored with the Robert P. Strub Trophy at the USEF Pegasus Awards Dinner last week.
Her leading horse, Cortes ‘C’, was also named International Horse of the Year, by public vote.
The 2005, 2006, and 2013 Equestrian of the Year extended her legacy in 2014 with a remarkable campaign that saw her collect victories throughout North America and Europe.
Her season began with multiple top placings at the Winter Equestrian Festival before claiming her third American Invitational title in Miami and a win in the Gran Premio Veracruz at CSIO4* Coapexpan. In May, Madden suffered a broken collarbone that forced her out of the saddle, but the steely veteran returned on remarkable form, helping the US to Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup victories at CSIO5*s Hickstead and Dublin.
In addition to producing a double-clear in Hickstead’s Nation Cup, she made history two days later as the first woman to win the The Longines King George V Gold Cup. Madden closed out the summer by anchoring the Hermès US Show Jumping Team to Team Bronze at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where she also added Individual Bronze to her medal haul. Her season came to a conclusion with strong performances jumping at indoors, including scoring a remarkable win in the CP World Cup Qualifier at the National Horse Show.
“The honor of being chosen as Equestrian of the Year is a great one, as it is voted on by my fellow riders and fans,” Madden said.
“It is always my priority to be a great equestrian, not just in terms of winning in the show ring, but by taking excellent care for the horses and representing my country and my team the best that I can.
“Most of all, though, I have to thank and give credit to Abigail Wexner for the opportunity to partner with Cortes and so many great horses.”
Several other equestrians were honored for their achievements, including Judy Werner, who has played an influential role in the American Saddlebred industry for decades. She was honored for her devotion to equestrian sport as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner with the Jimmy A Williams Trophy. Para-Equestrian Sydney Collier received the Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy as 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year for her honor, courage, dedication, and sportsmanship.
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