Junior Equestrian of the Year
The Junior Equestrian of the Year award is given to a junior member of US Equestrian who shows a passion for horse sports as well as equine welfare. The winner exemplifies many characteristics of a great, well-rounded equestrian. The award is named after Ruth O'Keefe, who was a valued member of USEF and a nationally-recognized figure in the horse showing world. O’Keefe was awarded the prestigious Walter B. Devereux Memorial trophy, from USEF in 1984. In April of 1985, the Board of Directors of the Federation established the Ruth O'Keefe Meredith Memorial trophy for the Junior Equestrian of the Year in her honor.
What is the criteria?
Awarded to a junior member of the Federation in good standing who:
- Has competed at one or more USEF-recognized competions during the last year.
- Personifies the virtues of honor, courage, patience, good temper, unselfishness, and sincerity.
- Exhibits the qualities of good sportsmanship and integrity.
- Exemplifies exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.
- Shows compassion for horses and horses’ welfare
How do I submit a nomination?
Junior Equestrian of the Year award can only be nominated by affiliate leadership and USEF Committees. Please reach out to your Affiliates or Committees if you have a nomination in mind.
How do you select a winner?
The Awards Committee is presented with the list of nominees and biographical information provided by the nominee (a resume including both equestrian and academic accomplishments) and a short letter or essay (topic to be chosen by the Awards Committee). Applicants are encouraged to provide information in all areas. The committee will narrow down the list of nominees to 3-4 and will interview those individuals.
What is the timeline?
Mailings will be sent to National Breed/Discipline Affiliates and Committees containing informational packets and nomination forms. In the event insufficient nominations are received by the Breed/Discipline Affiliates and Committees, USEF Marketing and Sports Staff may put nominations forward. Nominations will be accepted starting in September.
After this, all the nominees will be contacted and asked for their resumes and essays, the deadline for submittal will be set at that time. Once received, the resumes and essays are then sent to each of the Awards Committee members and a conference call will be set up to discuss and choose the nominees to be interviewed. In the middle of November, the chosen nominees will be interviewed by the panel, and the winner is chosen by the Awards Committee immediately following. At this time an official notice will be sent to the winner via email.
When do we present the award?
Trophy given at the Pegasus Awards Dinner during the Annual Meeting.