Friday proved to be a day of widespread celebration at the 2005 USEF Annual Meeting as two special events brought audiences to their feet with thunderous applause and accolades for the national, international and Olympic-level athletes that were saluted for their competitive efforts and hard work in 2004. In addition, those honored during the year’s most anticipated awards program – the Pegasus Dinner – were championed not only for their successes in the past year, but for many tremendous achievements throughout their lives. Some of the greatest equestrians in American history were present for the event. It was appropriate to say, “Greatness was in our midst.”

The day began with the usual meetings and committee work, and there was a long list of various groups with a full agenda.

Athletes’ Recognition Luncheon
During the Friday Recognition Luncheon in honor of the Athletes and Owners, the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation presented the coveted Whitney Stone Memorial Cup to one of the world’s most successful international show jumpers, Chris Kappler, for the year 2005. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Kappler, aboard Royal Kaliber, was the only show jumping rider to win two medals – an Individual Bronze and a Team Silver.

For the past 25 years, the USET Foundation has honored an individual who has achieved a distinguished record of international competition while also serving as an ambassador for the USET Foundation and equestrian sports. The USET Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of our country’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the USEF.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Whitney Stone Memorial Cup, and I wish to sincerely thank the United States Equestrian Team Foundation,” said Kappler. “To be included among the people previously singled out for their contributions to equestrian sport, people I greatly admire for their own achievements, is humbling.” Kappler was obviously moved during his heartfelt and humble acceptance speech. In 2004, shortly after the Olympic Games, his longtime competitive mount, Royal Kaliber, was humanely euthanized in the Netherlands after undergoing colic surgery for intestinal adhesions, on September 27.

Kappler said, as he spoke from the dais, “I miss him very much.” The emotion in the packed luncheon was overflowing as any equestrian can relate to losing a trusted mount and friend.

“We are proud to award the 2005 Whitney Stone Memorial Cup to Chris Kappler,” said Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director of the USET Foundation. “Chris’ successes on the international stage have earned him the honor of being one of the greatest equestrians that this country has had. Chris is a fierce, yet always gracious, competitor, making him an extraordinary ambassador for our sport and country, qualities that embody what the Whitney Stone Memorial Cup stands for.”

Kappler was not the only international star in attendance. Many of the U.S. elite athletes made the trip to Louisville, KY, to take part in an afternoon of honors and awards. Eventers Darren Chiacchia (Bronze Team medalist), John Williams (Bronze Team medalist), Kim Severson (Bronze Team medalist and Individual Silver medalist) were saluted. From the Athens Dressage Team, six-time Olympian Robert Dover (Bronze Team medalist) was in attendance. Kappler (Individual Bronze medalist and Team Silver medalist) represented the show jumpers.

The Many Meetings
Among the many breed and disciplines at work were the Andalusian/Lusitanos. They discussed proposed and general rule changes and made recommendations to the IALHA Rules Committee on some of the rules that they had proposed to the USEF Board.