The United States Equestrian Team (USEF) Foundation is proud to announce that Hillary Dobbs of Sussex, NJ, is this year's winner of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award. The USET Foundation awarded the rising young equestrian this honor because of her competitive record to date and because of her promise for the future.
The recipients of this award are chosen based on their potential to represent the United States in international competition. A Show Jumping Developing Rider is defined as a U.S. citizen who has not represented the United States in Olympic, Pan American or World Championship competition.
"It means so much to me to be chosen for this award," Dobbs said. "I'm honored that the USET Foundation and the committee chose me. I look forward to representing the United States well in the future."
Dobbs started out last year strong with four grand prix victories in a row. She and Corlett won both $25,000 grand prix events at the St. Clement's Saratoga Horse Show series. She took the win in the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix on a Thursday with Quincy B and returned for a win on Sunday in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix on Corlett. At the 2007 Washington International Horse Show, Dobbs was named the Leading Open Jumper Rider in her first year of top international competition, and her horse Marengo was named the Leading International Horse at the 124th National Horse Show.
Dobbs competed for the United States for the first time last fall when she rode on the Gold-medal winning team at the Nations Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2008, Dobbs and Corlett won back-to-back Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) Challenge Cup Grand Prix events. She and Marengo also captured victory in the $20,000 Absorbine Myoplast 1.50m Classic. Dobbs was chosen to represent the United States for a second time on the Nations Cup team that competed in Wellington. She helped the team win another Gold medal. Dobbs is currently a sophomore at Harvard University and balances school with riding.
The Maxine Beard Award was developed to assist riders in their quest for equestrian excellence. Observing international competition is a crucial component in the education of an equestrian athlete. Dobbs will travel to the 2008 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden, to experience the competition with U.S. delegates and walk the courses with U.S. Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe George H. Morris.
"That is going to be such a thrill," Dobbs remarked. "I learned so much from George in such a short amount of time in Argentina. To be able to benefit from his insight and knowledge is going to be a wonderful opportunity; it always is (an opportunity) to learn from a legend like him. I'm really looking forward to soaking it all up and learning as much as I can, to be able to put that education and what I experienced to good use some day. That's an opportunity I wouldn't miss, no matter what's going on at school!"
She added, "I have to thank Missy Clark and John Brennan. With my hectic schedule and going back and forth to Harvard, it's been such a team effort. I've been lucky to have them and the staff at North Run. It's a huge effort, and I appreciate everybody involved."
Previous Recipients of the Maxine Beard Award
2007 - Brianne Goutal
2006 - Charlie Jayne
2005 - Cayce Harrison
2004 - Georgina Bloomberg
2003 - Michael Morrissey and Paige Johnson
2002 - Molly Warmington
2001 - Kent Farrington and Richard Rinehart
2000 - Kate Levy and Marilyn Little
1999 - Kate Levy and Emily Williams
1998 - Jamie Schmidt and Heather Caristo