Horse Illustrated Magazine

At the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) annual meeting, horses and riders are recognized for their successes over the previous year. Among the most prestigious titles awarded are Equestrian of the Year and Horse of the Year.

Nominations for these awards are submitted by USEF affiliate organizations, and the public is invited to vote for their choice from the finalists. Currently, there are two Horses of the Year titles awarded annually: one from the international (FEI-recognized) disciplines and one from the national breeds and sports.

Here are the 2015 Horses and Equestrian of the Year

2015 USEF International Horse of the Year

PVF Peace of Mind (Statesman Signature x JPR Have Mercy/Saddleback Sky Pilot)

2007 Morgan mare

Owner: Suzy Stafford

PVF Peace of Mind, the charismatic eight-year-old Morgan mare, reached unbelievable heights in 2015 and has proven to be unbeatable with owner Suzy Stafford. In the carriage, in an astonishing feat of competitive excellence, “Hunny” won in each of her three FEI combined driving events this year, including the CAI2* Hermitage Classic in Goshen, Ky., the prestigious CAI2* Kentucky Classic in Lexington, Ky., and a second consecutive win at the CAI2* Live Oak International in Ocala, Fla. Most importantly, Hunny’s dominating performance in all three phases of competition at Hermitage earned her and Stafford the 2015 USEF Single Horse Driving National Championship by an incredible 14-point margin over their closest rival. Hunny has been undefeated in the dressage arena this year with Stafford. Demonstrating her versatility under saddle, Hunny was undefeated at First Level ridden dressage and crowned First Level Show Champion at the popular Massachusetts Morgan Horse Show this summer.

2015 USEF National Horse of the Year

Brunello (Breeding Unknown)

1998 Hanoverian gelding

Owners: Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd

Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd’s Brunello has been turning heads in the hunter ring with his signature style and consistent top placings for years. With Boyd in the tack, the pair has been a fixture in International Hunter Derby competitions since the program’s inception and scored their biggest victory in August when they won their third consecutive USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in Lexington, Ky. The pair won both the Classic Hunter Round and the Section A Handy Hunter Round on their way to securing this unprecedented victory.

2015 USEF Equestrian of the Year

Elisabeth Goth

Lebanon, Kentucky

Goth enjoyed a standout year in 2015, starting with wins in the Grand Champion Five-Gaited, Champion Five-Gaited Ladies, and Champion Three-Gaited Amateur (15.2 and Over) classes at the Midwest Charity Horse Show in June. In July, she took home the Grand Champion Five-Gaited title at the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show. At the Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show, Goth earned three titles, including World Champion of Champions Five-Gaited Ladies, World Champion Five-Gaited Ladies Gelding, and World Champion Five-Gaited Ladies Mare, as well as Reserve World Grand Champion Five-Gaited. Her most successful outing was the UPHA/American Royal National Championship, where she won all but one of the five classes in which she competed, including the National Grand Champion Five-Gaited Ladies and National Champion Five-Gaited Ladies Mare divisions. In addition to the C.J. “June” Cronan Trophy, Goth won the 2015 Audrey Pugh Gutridge and UPHA Sallie B. Wheeler Distinguished Service Awards.

Additionally, Helena “Lana” duPont Wright, who was first woman ever to compete on an Olympic Eventing team, was honored for her devotion to equestrian sport as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner with the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy.

2015 USEF Young Riders Saddle Seat Team member Cameron Kay received the Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy as 2015 Junior Equestrian of the Year for her honor, courage, dedication, and sportsmanship.

The following equestrians were also honored for their service to the sport with many of the most prestigious awards bestowed annually:

• USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award – Anna Ford of New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
• Walter B. Devereux Sportsmanship Award – Colleen McQuay
• The Richard E. McDevitt Award of Merit – W. Gary Baker, Veronica Holt, Lloyd Landkamer, Harry Sebring
• Pegasus Medal of Honor – Bill Moroney, Ron Rhodes, Howard Simpson
• The Ellen Scripps Davis Memorial Breeders Award – Carl T. Fischer, Jr. and Lorick Stables
• The Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy – Howard Simpson