February 16, 2026, is Presidents Day, when Americans celebrate George Washington’s birthday and remember past U.S. presidents. In honor of this special day, we are commemorating people whose actions have had a positive impact on the equestrian industry with the 2026 Presidential Shout-Outs. 

US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara announced the recipients for his second annual Presidential Shout-Outs during the general session at the USEF Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky., where he handed out special medals to the honorees.  

The 2026 Presidential Shout-Out recipients are: 

Ultimate Volunteer: Ellie Brimmer 

Para-dressage rider and US Equestrian Board of Directors member Ellie Brimmer is the new president of the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA). According to O’Mara, Brimmer is a force to be reckoned with.  

“She is on our Hearing Committee, she is on our Executive Committee, she’s on a ton of task forces. Whenever there is something to be done, with the greatest attitude and a great smile ... she’s always available to help,” O’Mara said. “She’s no pushover, she can challenge the best of us, and she does! But her dedication and duty to her sport is always her priority.” 

Brimmer, who was born with cerebral palsy, has had huge success in the para-dressage arena. Her accomplishments include winning the Para Dressage championship at the 2024 U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions on 2010 Hanoverian mare My Moment (Furst Romancier x High Sun). Brimmer grew up in Plymouth, Minn., riding hunters and jumpers before finding her fit in the para-dressage ring at 22 after graduating from Randolph College with a degree in American culture. 

To read more about Brimmer’s equestrian achievements, please visit usef.org/media/newsletters/meet-our-board-members-ellie-brimmer.  

Ultimate Affiliate Worker Bee: Whitney Allen 

Current United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Executive Director Whitney Allen started at the USEF many years ago and has been in governance for over 25 years. 

“She was one of the very first employees of the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association when that was formed 25 years ago,” O’Mara said. “She has risen the ranks — and responsibilities — to be Executive Director, and she is manning the ship and working with new USHJA President Britt McCormick.  

Allen has brought new creative thinking to the hunter/jumper sport, and to the USEF, O’Mara continued. “This is our largest affiliate, and in six years as President [of USEF], I haven’t seen more dedicated work, truly making things better between these organizations.” 

Allen succeeded Kevin Price in the role of USHJA Executive Director in June 2024. She was previously the association's Director of Operations. In addition to her role at USHJA, Allen is also a long-time Board of Directors member for American Horse Publications, where she served as president for five years and currently as treasurer, as well as President of the Board of Directors for the Secretariat Center. 

Ultimate Fan: William Gathro  

William Gathro, who has cerebral palsy, is a participant at therapeutic riding center Hooves of Hope Equestrian Center in Lancaster, Ky.  

“Because of William’s interaction with the Federation, they [Hooves of Hope] are now a US Equestrian Community Outreach Organization,” O’Mara said. 

“He loves being with his horses, doing therapy. He follows our sport. He found the USEF through social media. He is one of those 1.7 million connections through our platforms,” O’Mara explained. “He wrote us a letter about how he loved the sport, loved following USEF, and that he rode at Hooves of Hope. All he asked was, ‘Can you write me back?’” 

A USEF staff member reached out to Hooves of Hope to tell them about Gathro’s letter, and the call led them to becoming a USEF Community Outreach Organization.  

“They got so excited about it; they filled out all the forms and went through a complete due diligence with the USEF review committee, and they are now one of the newest of the 41 Community Outreach Organizations,” O’Mara explained. “And all of this because this young man, who is sitting there with difficulties in his life, who loves horses just like all of us do, followed all of us, and told his group: ‘I want to be part of them.’ ... and they are now.” 

Laura Friday, MSW, Executive Director of Hooves of Hope, said they were delighted that Gathro was given a Presidential Shout-Out.  

“Will started riding with us at Hooves of Hope in the spring of 2025, and rode in all three of our spring, summer, and fall Therapeutic Riding Lesson sessions, and even went on to compete at Special Olympics this fall as part of the Hooves of Hope team,” she said. “Thank you for all the work you do and the impact you make on the equine industry! We were honored to be accepted as a part of the USEF Community Outreach Program.”