2022 USHJA Annual Award Recipients Announced Ahead of Evening of Equestrians

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 9, 2022—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the recipients of select 2022 USHJA Annual Awards. Each of these recipients was nominated by their peers and will be honored at the Evening of Equestrians Awards, presented by the Washington State Hunter Jumper Association, on Tuesday, December 13.

This year's award presentation, along with other select sessions throughout the week, will be available to watch virtually from the 2022 USHJA Annual Meeting in the Seattle, Washington, area beginning at 6:45 p.m. PT. Those interested can register to watch here.

Anne Kursinski ​​​​​(left) and Margie Engle (right) are this year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
Photos by Meraki Creative Group (left) and Rachel Sowinski/USHJA (right).

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honors two women whose lifelong involvement in the sport has benefited the industry and who have dedicated their lives to furthering the disciplines of Hunters and Jumpers on a national platform. This year's recipients are Anne Kursinski, of Frenchtown, New Jersey, and Margie Engle, of Wellington, Florida.

Kursinski is a five-time Olympian, competitor, clinician and author whose dedication to the sport has spanned decades. A member of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame, Kursinski's list of accomplishments in the saddle includes two Olympic Show Jumping Silver Medals, 10 World Cup Finals, three World Equestrian Games and numerous U.S. Nations Cup Teams. Out of the saddle, she serves as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Show Jumping Development program. With USHJA, Kursinski sits on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, was awarded the President's Distinguished Service Award in 2020, and has led multiple Gold Star Clinics and Emerging Athletes Program training sessions.

Engle has represented the U.S. in 17 FEI World Cup Finals, the World Equestrian Games, the Pan-American Games and the Olympics, among others, throughout her storied career. Her efforts, including having won the American Grandprix Association Rider of the Year award 10 times, earned her a spot in the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2020. In sport governance, she previously sat on the USHJA Board of Directors and currently sits on the USHJA Jumper Working Group.

Rosalind Schaefer is this year's recipient of the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owners Legacy Award, which recognizes past or current owners who have been loyal patrons of the industry. Schaefer, of Sands Point, New York, is a longtime patron of the sport and owns several Grand Prix Jumpers trained and ridden by Canada's Mario Deslauriers. In 2019, she and her Wishing Well Farm were awarded Equestrian Canda Jumping Committee's Owner of the Year Award for the efforts of Bardolina 2 and Amsterdam 27 on the Canadian Show Jumping Team.

E. Sue Bopp (left) will be awarded the Amateur Sportsmanship Award.
Photo by Tricia Booker/USHJA.

The goal of the Amateur Sportsmanship Award is to recognize Amateur Owner and Adult Amateur exhibitors who exhibit a degree of excellence and integrity by supporting their fellow competitors and volunteering their time and resources to various aspects of the industry. This year's recipient is E. Sue Bopp, of Remington, Virginia.

As described by the USHJA Joint Amateurs Task Force Chairs, Bopp's "commitment to volunteerism and helping others is evident in every aspect of her life." In addition to competing in the Hunters as an Amateur and foxhunting with the Warrenton Hunt, Bopp has served as both President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Warrenton Horse and Pony Show and is a Board member of the Virginia Horse Show Association. She has been with The EMO Agency Inc. since 1986 and is a "R" judge in Hunters and Hunter Seat Equitation.

The Jane Marshall Dillon Award recognizes equestrians who have devoted their lives to teaching and mentoring riders beginning their education in the Hunter/Jumper discipline. This year's recipients are Peggy Stevens, of Maitland, Florida, and Mary Gatti, of Azusa, California.

Through her Brookmore Farms in Florida, Stevens has developed riders from leadline to Medal Finals, priding herself on teaching riders of all levels. Her clients range from 4-H participants to top-rated competition, holding true to the Farm's slogan, "at Brookmore Farms, we can take you to any height." Stevens is described by her peers as giving students a solid foundation in riding and caring for a horse that they can continue utilizing in life-long careers both in an out of the saddle.

Gatti has been involved with horses all her life, operating Rainbow Canyon Ranch in California. Her positive approach to training students and horses has helped clients rise through the levels locally and nationally. She is described by her peers as understanding the importance of introducing people to riding and cultivating them through a safe, proper process. 

This year's Vital Horse Show Staff Award, which honors the sport's support staff whose role is essential to competitions' success, is awarded to George Chatigny and Jennifer Glass.

Chatigny, of Burbank, California, has worn many hats in the industry, consistently holding many horse show staff-related positions that are integral to the success of the shows. For more than a decade, Chatigny has served as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, ensuring the facility was able to host everything from one-day shows to World Cup Qualifiers. He is described by peers as committed to the success of the horse shows and a valuable team member.

Glass, of Bokeelia, Florida, is described as an all-around essential member of show staff, excelling at whatever job she is presented with. From awards to sponsor relations, Glass's expertise has been seen at competitions across the country including Capital Challenge, the Winter Equestrian Festival and the USHJA National Championships. 

The USHJA Youth Leadership Award identifies potential future leaders in the equine industry and recognizes Junior members for their achievements. This year's recipient is Jordan Gibbs, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Gibbs is a rising top Junior competitor, currently competing in all three rings with great success. She also takes pride in her academic achievements, maintaining a 3.97 GPA with AP and Honors level courses. At home, Gibbs aids in the communication and advertising of her brother Dominic's Mountain King Ranch Equitation Grant, helping raise funds to cover the cost of a rider and companion for one week of lessons and experiences at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Her philanthropic efforts extend outside of the equestrian industry, including founding Sock Out Cold Feet, a charity that donates socks to families in need.

 Jordan Gibbs earned the Youth Leadership Award.
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Ryder Richardson, of Parker, Colorado, is this year's USHJA Nominee for the USEF Youth Sportman's Award. Each year, young riders from each discipline apply through their affiliate organizations, like USHJA, to be considered for the USEF National Youth Sportsman's Award. Nominees demonstrate an ongoing commitment and dedication to USEF and USHJA by promoting the equestrian sport, demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship and serving as a role model for their peers. Nominated by USHJA as well as the American Connemara Pony Society, Richardson was recently announced as the winner of the 2022 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award.

Richardson is a well-rounded horseman involved in and out of the saddle with the Hunter/Jumper sport. With USHJA, he is a member of the Youth Committee and Zone 8 Committee, was a Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals recipient in 2018, and received the USHJA Youth Leadership Award in 2021. In addition to competing in the Jumpers, Richardson founded Joy Ryder, an organization that aims to promote inclusivity and opportunities within the equestrian community; is a junior ambassador of the EQUUS Foundation; and is a teen mental health advocate with JackStrong.

 Awarded posthumously for meritorious service to equestrian sport, this year's J. Arthur “Bucky” Reynolds, II Award of Merit honors Bill Ellis, of Ocala, Florida. Ellis was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame after years as a respected judge and trainer. He presided over the nation's top competitions and produced successful Hunter horses and riders in the show ring.

The Licensed Official Emeritus Honorary Designation recognizes licensed officials who have dedicated their lives to officiating our sport and have subsequently retired. This year's honorees are Joe Fargis, of Middleburg, Virginia, and Rodney Jenkins, of Orrtanna, Pennsylvania. 

The USHJA congratulates this year’s Annual Award recipients. In addition to these nomination-based awards, other awards, including the President's Distinguished
Service Award and Volunteer of the Year Award, will be announced during the Evening of Equestrians.

Members interested in attending the 2022 USHJA Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue may register onsite for $150. Tickets to the Evening of Equestrians Awards Dinner are available onsite for $135 and $1,000 for a table of 8. 

Media are invited to attend to cover the meeting, and one complimentary registration will be given per media outlet credentialed to cover the event. Media interested in covering the 2022 USHJA Annual Meeting can fill out a media credential form.

The USHJA extends thanks to Official Sponsors CWD, Parlanti, Nutrena, Exhibitor's and Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital & Pharmacy. A special thanks also goes to Supporting Sponsors Dianne Johnson; Washington State Hunter Jumper Association; Archway Equestrian Sports, LLC; Thumbs Up Farm; Imagination Lane, LLC; Headland's Management; US Equestrian; Hodges Badge Company; Eaton Equestrian Center; Kathryn A. Hall PC; Brookway Stables; Show Place Productions; Woodside Stables; Great Southwest Equestrian Center; Brookside; Let's Show; Peggy Fackrell; Misty, Scampi and Haydon; LEG Shows and Events; Colorado Horse Shows; and Human Touch for their support of this year's Annual Meeting. 

For more information on the 2022 USHJA Annual Meeting, including the schedule and registration details, visit ushja.org/annualmeeting.