Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce McCamey Kimbler as the winner of the 2014 USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award. The USEF Youth Sportsman's Award is designed to identify potential future leaders in the equine industry and provides an opportunity for the USEF to recognize outstanding youth members for their achievements. An international endurance rider from Aberdeen, S.D., Kimbler was nominated by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC).

The 18-year-old high school senior grew up with horses and has been competing in endurance for several years, training her horses herself. Within the last few years, she has been ranked in the top five in the USEF Endurance Junior/Young Rider Standings and the top ten in the FEI Young Riders World Endurance Ranking. In 2012, she was awarded the Brunjes Junior/Young Rider Trophy and received a USEF High School Equestrian Athlete Program grant. Kimbler was the youngest rider named to the USEF Long List for the 2012 Longines FEI World Endurance Championships. The following year, she competed in the Tom Quilty Gold Cup race in Australia and the Pan American Endurance Championship in Uruguay. In 2014, she finished the Tevis Cup, a challenging 100 mille one-day trail ride.

Outside of her competitive success, Kimbler has been involved with many equestrian programs. She has held leadership roles in the equestrian industry, including liaising between the USEF and AERC and serving as Regional Youth Director and Vice President for the Arabian Horse Youth Association. Additionally, Kimbler is involved with her local 4-H group and was a member of the winning team at the 2012 Horse Quiz Bowl State Championship.

A student of Central High School, Kimbler is the President of the Student Senate and the State Student Council Secretary. The National Honor Society member also participates in Freshman Orientation, the debate team, and the cross country team, while maintaining a 3.837 GPA on a weighted scale. Kimbler plans to attend college and dental school.

Kimbler will receive a commemorative trophy, a $1,000 grant to the educational program of her choice, and a lifetime membership to USEF, valued at $2,500.

The reserve overall winner of the USEF Youth Sportsman’s Award is Elizabeth Traband (Centre Hall, Pa.), nominated by the United States Hunter Jumper Association. She will receive a $500 grant.

The other national nominees were:
Madeline Backus, Larkspur, Colo. (United States Eventing Association)
Sydney Collier, Ann Arbor, Mich. (United States Para-Equestrian Association)
Jessica Fan, Lake Jackson, Texas (United States Dressage Federation)
Connor Farley, Waverly, W.Va. (Western Dressage Association of America)
Malu Foley, Cedar Crest, N.M. (American Vaulting Association)
Rachel Frieman, Los Angeles, Calif. (International Andalusian Lusitano Horse Association)
Micah Furr, Salisbury, N.C. (Paso Fino Horse Association)
Reggie Glover, Weimar, Texas (American Driving Society)
Margo Goldfarb, Franklin, Tenn. (American Connemara Pony Society)
Melissa Heres, Aragon, Ga. (American Saddlebred Horse Association)
Emma Lemke, Franklin, Tenn. (Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America)
Ryan Melendez, Temecula, Calif. (Arabian Horse Association)
Anaiah Richter, Murrieta, Calif. (International Friesian Show Horse Association)

For more information on the USEF Youth Sportsman's Award, please contact Jennifer Mellenkamp, Director, National Breed/Discipline Affiliates, at [email protected] or (859) 225-6955.