USHJA Announces Annual Award Recipients

Recipients to be Honored During Annual Meeting Evening of Equestrians

Lexington, Ky.—Dec. 6, 2019—The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 USHJA Annual Awards, which include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Amateur Sportsmanship Award, Youth Leadership Awards and more. Awards will be presented at the USHJA Annual Meeting, presented by World Equestrian Center, in Denver, Colorado.

The USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award honors members whose lifelong involvement in the sport and with USHJA has benefited the industry. Recipients have dedicated their lives to furthering the disciplines of Hunters and Jumpers on a national platform. This year, Margaret “Sissie” Anderton, of Franklin, Tennessee, and Brian Flynn, of New Albany, Ohio, are the USHJA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.

Anderton founded Brownland Farm more than 50 years ago and is the matriarch of the facility that hosts premier shows each year. Not only does she welcome exhibitors, grooms and trainers to the farm, but she also welcomes them into her home, demonstrating southern hospitality at its finest, according to her peers. She has dedicated herself to the sport in many ways, including serving on USHJA committees, the USHJA Foundation, hosting the 1997 Pony Finals, serving as co-chair of the Pony Finals Task Force and more.  

Flynn has touched nearly every facet of the sport. He has judged more than 1,000 shows across the United States and in Canada, including some of the most prestigious events. He has managed and been a course designer at hundreds of shows, shared his expertise as a commentator for nationally televised events, served on multiple committees, has ridden champion horses, and much more. He was inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame, and was the 2017 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Equitation Finals. 

Page Tredennick, of Wellington, Florida, is the recipient of the Amateur Sportsmanship Award this year, created to recognize Amateur Owner and Adult Amateur exhibitors who display excellence and integrity by supporting fellow competitors and volunteering their time and resources to various aspects of the industry.

Tredennick is the chair of the Zone 4 Committee, is actively involved with the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association, where she lives part time, was a volunteer for the North American Youth Championships for many years as the hostess for volunteers and officials, and much more. She also owns horses and rides.

Ernest and Betty Oare, of Warrenton, Virginia, are the recipients of the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owners Legacy Award, which recognizes past or current owners who have been true patrons of the industry creating a legacy of giving back to the sport through dedication and support.

The Oares are synonymous with hunters and hunter breeding, but they have actively supported all aspects of the sport. They have served on numerous committees at the local and national level, donating their time and experience. They have sponsored programs that include the Sallie B. Wheeler/USEF/USHJA Hunter Breeding National Championships and many other classes and divisions. Many professionals have also earned accolades riding Oare family horses. 

Created to recognize equestrians who have devoted their lives to teaching and mentoring riders beginning their education in the hunter/jumper discipline, the Jane Marshall Dillon Award will be presented to Sunny Stevens, of Ball Ground, Georgia, and Corky Shaha, of Parker, Colorado.

Stevens has been involved in the sport for more than 50 years, mostly focusing her time on teaching and coaching students. She has helped improve many riders and provide them with a positive experience as they move up the levels, rather than showing week in and week out, according to her peers. Stevens has been an active volunteer with the USHJA, including attending and assisting with Emerging Athletes Program Regional and National Training Sessions. 

Shaha is a mentor and advocate for both horse and rider and got her start as a student of Jane Marshall Dillon. She has been involved with training students from cross rails to the Maclay Finals and North American Youth Championships. She is an active member of the Colorado Hunter Jumper Association where she served as past president, as well as previously serving as a chef d’equipe of the Zone 8 NAYC team. Her work ethic and commitment to the teamwork of horse and rider set her apart as a professional. 

Two awards are given annually to youth members of the USHJA. Open to Junior members between the ages of 12 and 15, the USHJA Youth Leadership Award is presented to a young individual who demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship, a commitment to equestrian sport, and serves as a leader and role model to his or her peers. The USHJA also nominates one Junior member for the US Equestrian Youth Sportsman's Award, which was created to identify future leaders within the equine industry across all breeds and disciplines and distinguish outstanding youth for their achievements.

Ian McFarlin, of Tallahassee, Florida, is the USHJA Youth Leadership Award recipient. McFarlin has been competing in the Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation, where he is active on his IEA team and as a member of the Southern Hunter Jumper Association, earning sportsmanship awards from both. He has participated in the Emerging Athletes Program as well as the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, earning a spot to this year's Nationals. Outside of the sport, he has earned many accolades for his academics, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. 

Ella Doerr, of Avon, North Carolina, is the USHJA Nominee for US Equestrian Youth Sportsman's Award. Doerr was the 2016 USHJA Youth Leadership Award recipient for her leadership and involvement in many programs including Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, the USHJA Foundation Youth Committee and more. She has also been involved in the sport as an ambassador for Paisley Magazine, has been a recipient of the USHJA Foundation Gochman Family Grant and has ridden for eight years at Woodberry Farm. She is also involved as a volunteer with several charities outside the sport and maintains a 4.0 GPA. 

Troy Powell, of Sag Harbor, New York, and Julie O’Connor, of Corona, California, are the recipients of the Vital Horse Show Staff Award East and West, respectively, which honors the support staff of the sport whose current role is essential to the success of hunter/jumper competitions.

Powell has been the head secretary at the Hampton Classic for more than 15 years and works for the Classic 10 months of the year, making sure things run smoothly and efficiently. She is described as resourceful problem solver who accommodates clients effectively and with a smile. In addition to the work she does in the office, she is also involved with securing around 50 people each year to manage the grounds, souvenir shop, ticket sales and more.

O’Connor rode and competed Hunters and Jumpers growing up and became a staple at the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center where she assisted in running shows. Her horse show involvement expanded to working for show managers throughout Southern California. She is described by her peers as understanding, cheerful, helpful and efficient, and shines when interacting with exhibitors. 

Award winners were selected by the USHJA Executive Committee based on the recommendation of the Awards Committee, which solicits nominations from the USHJA membership.

In addition to these nomination-based awards, other awards including the President's Distinguished Service Award, William J. Moroney Visionary Award, and Volunteer of the Year Award, will be announced during the Evening of Equestrians. Recipients of all of the awards will be honored during the Evening of Equestrians at the USHJA Annual Meeting on Tuesday, December 10. 

For more information about USHJA Awards, including nomination-based awards, visit ushja.org/awards.