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St. Louis, Missouri—Almost 450 members of the United States Eventing Association made their way to St. Louis, Missouri for the 2006 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, held December 6-9 at the Hyatt at Union Station and presented by Nutrena.

Over the weekend the association proudly honored the recipients of its 2006 Year-End awards at the annual luncheon, sponsored by Maui Jim Sunglasses.

The USEA Horse of the Year honors went to Tru Luck, the nine-year-old Thoroughbred gelding (Maha Baba – Grayfully) owned by Ann Jones, who is also the owner of last year’s USEA Horse of the Year, The Foreman. With Phillip Dutton in the irons, the gelding tallied two wins, two second and three third place finishes in 2006, including a win at the Wits End CIC*** and third place at the Jersey Fresh CCI** and Fair Hill CCI***. In addition to the title Horse of the Year, Tru Luck’s owner received a $1,000 purse sponsored by SmartPak Equine. (Phillip and Tru Luck are pictured at the right above at the Foundation Drop at the Fair Hill International CCI***.)

The USEA Rider of the Year for the seventh straight year was Phillip Dutton, who resides in West Grove, Pennsylvania and rides internationally for Australia. (Editor's Note: Phillip no longer rides for Australia and will ride for the USA, in 2007.) Dutton outdid himself again this year with admirable performances at both horse trials and three-day events, including third place at the Fork CIC***-W with House Doctor, fourth place at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** with Connaught, third place at the Jersey Fresh CCI** and Fair Hill CCI*** with Tru Luck, a win at the Radnor CCI** with Lucky Stripe, and a team bronze medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games (Editor's Note: Actually, Phillip did NOT ride on the Australian Team at Aachen, he rode as an individual.) All of these accomplishments, plus countless others, gave this man a total of 799 points, and earned him a $1,000 purse, sponsored by Likit Products, equine treats and toys. (Phillip is pictured at the left above at on Lucky Stripe at the Radnor CCI**.)

Amy Tryon, of Duvall, Washington had the best year of her career, earning for the first time the USEA Lady Rider of the Year title. Her successes this year included impressive performances at every star level, around the world and with a variety of horses, including an individual bronze medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany with longtime partner Poggio II, fifth place at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** with Woodstock, fifth place at the Blenheim CCI*** in England with Le Samurai, a win at the Galway Downs CCI** with Leyland, and second place at the Galway Downs CCI* with Coal Creek. In addition to the well-earned title of USEA Lady Rider of the Year, Amy also received a $1,000 purse and product from sponsor Auburn Labs, makers of APF. (Amy and Poggio II are pictured at the right jumping into the First Water at the Aachen WEG.)

Fanny Lee, of Westport, Massachusetts received this year’s USEA Adult Amateur of the Year honors as well as a $1,000 purse sponsored by Stackhouse Saddles. Lee had a stellar year with two mounts, Paddy the Pooh and Hadley Harbour. In 20 starts with the two horses, she earned six wins, six second, and three third place finishes, including the Virginia CCI** where she placed third with Paddy the Pooh and tenth with Hadley Harbour, out of 43 starters. (Fanny and Hadley Harbour are pictured at the left at the Virginia Horse Trials.)

The USEA Young Rider of the Year trophy, along with a $1,000 purse sponsored by Maui Jim Sunglasses, was presented to 19-year-old Emilee Libby, of Sussex, New Jersey. Libby worked with three mounts this year, all at the intermediate and advanced levels. She and Golden Mount earned a team silver medal at the 2006 North American Junior and Young Riders’ Championships. With Cahir she finished 12th out of 60 starters at the Fair Hill CCI***, and she finished the year with Special Excursion finishing fourth at the Middleburg Horse Trials. (Emilee and Cahir are pictured at the right at the Snack Table at the Fair Hill International CCI***.)

Jam, owned and ridden by Bruce Davidson, of Unionville, Pennsylvania, earned USEA Mare of the Year honor, and a $1,000 purse, for the second year in a row. This ten-year-old Thoroughbred mare, sired by Shar, started the year off winning the Rocking Horse Winter Horse Trials. She went on to place eighth at the Red Hills CCI***-W, and finished 2006 with fourth place finishes at the Wits End CIC*** and Fair Hill CCI****, all with owner, and eventing legend, Bruce Davidson in the irons. (Bruce and Jam are pictured at the left below at the Fair Hill International CCI***>)

These winners as well as many others were honored at the USEA Awards Luncheon. Following is a list of the other final year-end USEA Leaderboard award winners:

Advanced Young Rider: Emilee Libby

Advanced Adult Rider: Phillip Dutton

Advanced Adult Amateur Rider: Colin Davidson

Advanced Master Amateur Rider: Wendy Southam

Wendy Southam Named USEA Advanced Master Amateur Rider of the Year

Ottawa, Ontario--- Wendy Southam of Stoufville, ON earned the United States Eventing Association Advanced Master Amateur Rider of the Year Award, after a successful season competing in the United States.

Open to amateurs over the age of 40 who are current USEA members, riders accumulate points for placings earned in the Advanced division at events throughout the 2006 season. Paired with her 14-year-old Zangersheide mare Ruba Z, Southam finished the season at the top of the leaderboard with 23 points.

“This season was my first ever attempt at the Advanced eventing level. Ruba Z and I had three very successful seasons at the Preliminary level, followed by two very successful seasons at the Intermediate level, with many first place finishes,” explained Southam. “I knew that if I was ever going to try the Advanced level, Ruba Z was definitely the horse to try it on.”

The duo started the season out very strong in March, winning the Advanced division at the Pine Top Spring Horse Trials in Thomson, Georgia. More recently, in September, they finished eighth out of a very competitive field of 38 entries at the Plantation Horse Trials in Unionville, Pennsylvania.

“We had many great moments over the year, and learned a lot too,” commented Southam. “I only ride one horse a day, and don't make my living at this sport, so its nice to be recognized in a sport where at the Advanced level it is mostly professionals who you are competing against, and who place at most of the shows.” (Wendy and Ruba Z are pictured at the right above at the Fair Hill International CCI***.)

Southam will receive her award at the USEA Awards Banquet and Annual Convention, to be held December 7 - 10, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Being recognized as Advanced Master Amateur Rider of the Year by the USEA is very exciting and a great honour,” stated Southam.

About Canadian Eventing
Canadian Eventing is a committee of Equine Canada responsible for the sport of Eventing in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. The Canadian Eventing Committee is comprised of 12 members, including two rider representatives elected by the Elite Riders Association. Directed by the Strategic Plan for Eventing, all Eventing activities are administered by this committee via six sub-committees with the support of an Eventing Manager based at the Equine Canada office in Ottawa. For more information about Canadian Eventing, visit www.equinecanada.ca. –Sport - Eventing

Other Awards Continued:

Advanced Horse: McKinlaigh
(Gina Miles)

Intermediate Young Rider: Emilee Libby

Intermediate Adult Rider: Phillip Dutton

Intermediate Adult Amateur Rider: Fanny Lee

Intermediate Master Amateur Rider: Corinne Ashton

Intermediate Horse: Lady Calido

Preliminary Junior Rider: Callie Judy

Preliminary Senior Rider: Kimberly Severson

Preliminary Adult Amateur Rider: Kristi Walker

Preliminary Master Amateur Rider: Maria Brazil, MD

Preliminary Horse: Genial

Training Junior Rider: Olivia Kamensky

Training Senior Rider: Amanda Moore

Training Master Rider: Kevin Whitney

Training Horse: Dynamik II

Novice Junior Rider: Taylor Marcus

Novice Senior Rider: Jennifer Cain

Novice Master Rider Lesley Collins

Novice Horse: Vavoom

Beginner Novice Junior Rider: Mae Janiga

Beginner Novice Senior Rider: Megan Tulloch

Beginner Novice Master Rider: Margaret Simak

Beginner Novice Horse: Cappuccino

In addition to honoring horses, owners, riders, and organizers, the purpose of the Annual Meeting and Convention is to give members the opportunity to sharpen their skills in order to meet the challenges of the sport. This is done in part through seminars, which featured top professionals covering topics including everything from hands-on show jumping course design (in the ballroom with actual show jumps provided by Hi-Tech Horse Jumps), to training solutions from top riders. In addition, the Convention included an open forum, as well as board meetings and committee meetings of every kind. There was also lots of fun to be had, with Thursday evening's Board of Governors’ welcome reception sponsored by Bit of Britain; the Friday evening USEA Eventing Hall of Fame Gala presented by Pegasus Design Group, and the Saturday evening “Cocktails Under the Stars” at the St. Louis Science Center and Planetarium sponsored by Area IV and organized by Dr. Timothy Holekamp.

Additional sponsorship was provided by Adequan, Amerigo, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, Lamplight Equestrian Center, Practical Horseman, Rebecca Farm, and Wellpride.

For more information on the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, including other award winners, visit www.useventing.com and click on the Convention logo on the home page.