Evening of Equestrians Awards Recognize Remarkable Members at 2024 USHJA Annual Meeting

Tucson, Ariz.—Dec. 11, 2024—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association celebrated Annual Award winners on Tuesday, December 10 during the Evening of Equestrians, presented by Desert International Horse Park, at the 2024 USHJA Annual Meeting. Held in Tucson, Arizona, the celebration featured USHJA President Britt McCormick and Master of Ceremonies Charlotte Skinner-Robson, who honored outstanding members for their invaluable contributions to the sport.

The USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2008 to recognize members whose enduring commitment to the sport and to the USHJA has made a significant impact on the industry. This prestigious award is reserved for individuals who have devoted their lives to advancing the disciplines of hunters and jumpers on a national scale. This year, the award was presented to two members whose contributions have not only shaped the sport but have also inspired countless equestrians to pursue their passions: Otis Brown of Ocala, Florida, and DiAnn Langer of Johnston, North Carolina.

As an integral member of the group that convened to establish the USHJA, Brown has been a key contributor to the development of the association and has served on several committees. His expertise has also been showcased as he judged major horse shows across the country and developed riders for the top of the sport.

"I really feel it's an honor. I've been devoted to the horse industry for all my life basically. That's why we do it because we love the animals, and I've been so fortunate to have the great ones that I've had. I really think I owe my career to Patty [Stovel], the horses I've been lucky enough to have, and the people who helped me along the way," said Brown.

Langer is a lifelong horseman whose remarkable achievements have greatly impacted the industry. After years as a top competitor, she shifted her focus to breeding and fostering the development of future top riders. Her contributions to the USHJA’s programs showcase her commitment to youth education and competition. 

"I want to dedicate this award to the past generation of horsemen who taught me. Who also worked so hard to establish horse shows. I also want to push it forward to the current generation of horsemen who now took that show and made it into horse sport. And pass it forward to the youth who will redefine it and become the guardians," said Langer. "But most of all, I want to give a shout out to all of us that have come through our life, touched our hearts, and especially that first one who grabbed ahold of us and said, 'Come on, you're now a horse family.'"

The William J. Moroney Visionary Award honors an individual, group, organization, or corporation deemed inspirational, influential, and integral to furthering the Hunter and Jumper disciplines. Like the award’s namesake, the winner should have a keen ability to plan for the future, demonstrate endless passion and depth of knowledge of and for the Hunter/Jumper sport. They should offer innovative thinking at every opportunity and inspire others, as well as challenge them to their best at all times. This year, as USHJA celebrated its 20th anniversary, it was fitting to recognize an individual whose contributions reflect the core values and vision upon which our association was founded: David O’Connor of The Plains, Virginia. 

"He is one of those people that is constantly looking for opportunity out there. This organization and all the people who have ever been involved in it and all the people that have been members of it, he is the one that made this happen," said Moroney. "If anything, he is the father of USHJA. He is the guy that made it happen."

O’Connor's future-focused leadership and dedication has been a cornerstone of USHJA’s growth and success. His unwavering belief in the need for a dedicated affiliate led to the formation of USHJA, an organization he envisioned would elevate the sport in unprecedented ways. His continued work underscores his commitment to preserving and growing equestrian sport for future generations. With a strategic, long-term approach to tackling challenges and securing a sustainable future, O’Connor has fundamentally shaped the Hunter/Jumper community. His leadership and vision continue to leave a lasting impact on USHJA’s legacy.

"It's been a great experience all the way through. I think every time you do one of these things, you end up learning more than you expect because of the people you get to work with. You always end up getting more out of all of the experiences and all of the people and all of the situations that you end up in," said O'Connor. "And this is such an unusual thing because it's the horse, so we all get to wrap our lives around the horse, and we have to make sure that we never put the economics over the ethics over the care of the horse. And the elation and the disappointments of competition can't overrun our basic love for what we do. And we all have to remember why we did it in the first place."

Robin Greenwood, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, is this year's recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award. This award recognizes volunteers behind the scenes who work the long hours with a passion for bringing the sport forward and providing a safe, fair and understandable sport for fellow equestrians.

 A passionate pony aficionado, Greenwood is a driving force behind many of USHJA's Pony Hunter efforts. As vice chair of the USHJA Pony Task Force, she has helped shape programs that nurture the development of pony riders nationwide. She also serves as a mentor for the Gochman Grant for USEF Pony Finals, providing guidance and support to young equestrians pursuing their dreams. Greenwood's unwavering commitment to fostering the pony community makes her an invaluable asset to the sport.

"She's worked tirelessly for as long as I can remember. Managing the Pony Task Force. Making sure that Pony Finals came off without a hitch. Giving hours and hours of her time and dedication to every little kid that ever wanted to ride a pony," said McCormick.

The President's Distinguished Service Award was developed to recognize and honor the dedication and service of members and volunteers to the USHJA and our sport. The Award recognizes those individuals who have gone beyond the call of duty to bring the Hunter/Jumper sport to a new level and to benefit the USHJA membership. This year's recipients are Leea Bridgeman, Joe Dotoli, Steve Hankin, Rachel Kennedy, Cheryl Rubenstein, and Andrea Wells.

Bridgeman, of Prospect, Kentucky, is a valued member of the USHJA Board of Directors and an active Amateur competitor with a strong commitment to the sport. Over the past year, she has played a pivotal role in supporting the president’s initiatives. Her dedication and collaborative approach have been instrumental in helping the president advance the organization’s mission and priorities.

Dotoli, of Chepachet, Rhode Island, has an extensive history in the Hunter/Jumper sport as a judge and trainer. His passion for equestrian safety and his tenure as chair of the USHJA Safety Committee have been instrumental in advancing rider protection. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the rule requiring riders to wear helmets on showgrounds and championed the funding of helmet testing conducted by the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab.

Hankin, of Los Angeles, California, is president and CEO of the Desert International Horse Park. His dedication to the sport and commitment to enhancing the exhibitor experience have transformed the landscape of West Coast competition. His efforts have elevated the quality of events and set a new standard for excellence in equestrian sport, including the 2024 Marshall+Sterling Insurance/USHJA National Championships.

Kennedy, of Brookeville, Maryland, is a respected rider, trainer, and judge out of her own ESP Farm. For USHJA, she serves on the Judge's Task Force and the International Hunter Derby and Incentive Task Force, where she recently stepped into a key leadership role. Her expertise and dedication this year have been invaluable in supporting the growth of these cornerstone programs.

Rubenstein, of Memphis, Tennessee, is a dedicated volunteer and an integral part of USHJA. She serves on several committees, including the Board of Directors, the Hunter Working Group, and the Joint Owners Task Force, among others. Her extensive contributions and commitment have been vital to the Association’s continued growth and success.

Wells, of Ocala, Florida, is an active member, serving on the Officials Education Committee, Judges Task Force, and Joint Equitation Task Force. In addition to her committee work, she has led numerous webinars for licensed officials and members, sharing her expertise and supporting the education and development of the USHJA community.

The USHJA congratulates this year’s Annual Award recipients. In addition to these honors, previously announced nomination-based award recipients and founding board members were also honored during the Evening of Equestrians. 

The USHJA extends thanks to Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti. A special thanks also goes to Desert International Horse Park​, Hodges Badge Company, Human Touch, Revita Vet Therapy Systems​, RingRadar​, RingSide Pro, and US Equestrian for their support of this year's Annual Meeting. 

The 2024 USHJA Annual Meeting continues with important sports governance meetings through December 12. For more information on the USHJA Annual Meeting, including resources and details on select virtual sessions, visit ushja.org/annualmeeting.

Photos: Terisé Cole/USHJA