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USEF Announces Winners of the 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Sponsored by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital; Other Pony Finals Awards Announced

by By Stacey Meier | Aug 21, 2008, 2:38 PM

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the winners of the 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards sponsored by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, along with the winner of the Buttons and Bows Sportsmanship Award and the winner of the Short Stop Perpetual Trophy. All of these special awards took place at the 2008 USEF National Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park.

With pony riders competing in each age division, the winners of the Emerson Burr Awards were Madeline Schaefer, of Westminster, MD, in the 8 years and under group; Meredith Sitze, of Raleigh, NC, in the 9-11 age group; Tess Vindischman, of Holly, MI, in the 12-14 age group and Arden Cone, of Landrum, SC, in the 15 years and up group.

The Emerson Burr program consisted of two tests— a written test and a hands-on horsemanship test. The young equestrians who score the highest on the written test moved on to the hands-on horsemanship test. Each winner receives a $500 monetary grant to further their education or offset equestrian-related costs.

The Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program was created in 2002 by friends and family of the late Emerson Burr to promote and perpetuate good horsemanship in younger equestrians.

The Buttons and Bows Sportsmanship Trophy went to Lillie Keenan, 11, of New York, NY. This trophy is awarded to the junior rider who best personifies the high standards and virtues of integrity, sportsmanship, honor courage, good temper and unselfishness during the USEF Pony Finals competition.

The Short Stop Perpetual Trophy went to Elizabeth Solomon, 15, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, (Zone 2) who rode her chestnut Paint mare Hip-Hop. This award is given to the pony jumper rider who, in the opinion of the judges, exhibits the best style of riding through the Pony Jumper Championships.

As the sponsor of the 2008 Emerson Burr Horsemanship Awards Program as well as the Official Equine Hospital of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital is a full-service equine hospital established in 1986 as a referral center for horses requiring specialized medical and surgical care. Today Rood & Riddle is known and respected throughout the world for innovative and highly skilled treatment of horses. Rood and Riddle’s reputation stems from their unwavering commitment to quality, both in the care of horses and in their relationship with clients and community.

For more information, including horse shows who are interested in offering the program or making a donation, please contact Marion Maybank, USEF Director of Hunter and Collegiate Activities, at (859) 225-2033 or via email at [email protected].