WELLINGTON, Fla.--The United States Equestrian Team Foundation honored a number of people either for their accomplishments or for their furthering the aims of the USET at its Gold Medal Club reception held on Jan. 17 at the National Polo Center in Wellington.

Rebecca Hart, center, USET President & CEO Kristi Mitchem, left, and Chairman James McNerney, rightThe 2025 Whitney Stone Cup was presented to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games triple gold medalist Rebecca Hart.

The award acknowledges the para dressage rider as an active competitor whose consistent excellence in international competition and sportsmanlike conduct as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET Foundation exemplify the USET Foundation’s and US Equestrian’s (USEF’s) highest ideals and traditions.

Hart of Loxahatchee, Fla., rode Floratina, a 17-year-old Hanoverian mare to a clean sweep of gold medals in Paris, France, marking the rider’s fifth consecutive Paralympic Games.

She rode to a personal best score of 83.534% in the freestyle test to seal the triple and claim her final gold medal in Paris.

“I am incredibly honored to be selected for this trophy,” said Hart, a Grade III athlete. “It is an incredible testament to just how far para dressage has come as a discipline. I have loved helping to bring adaptive sport forward and hope to be able to continue to do so. It’s an honor and a privilege to represent the USET Foundation, USEF, and my owners and sponsors on the field of play. I love having this platform to celebrate para sport and our success on the world stage.”

 

THE 2025 Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy was presented to rising dressage and jumping rider Kat Fuqua.

The award is presented annually to a junior or young rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the U.S. Equestrian Team’s ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.

“I’m really excited because the riders that have received the award previously have gone on to achieve unbelievable accomplishments as professionals,” said Fuqua, 17 of Atlanta, Ga.. “The fact that I’m on that list alongside those athletes is really special. It was also unexpected because I didn’t know I was in contention, so it was a big surprise when I got a call from the USET Foundation.”

Fuqua enjoyed a stellar year in 2024, including claiming triple Young Rider dressage gold at the FEI North American Youth Championships riding Dreamgirl, her 17-year-old Dutch-bred mare. Fuqua is currently eighth on the FEI Dressage World Youth rankings with Dreamgirl and was named the 2024 U.S. Dressage Federation Young Rider of the Year.

 The R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award was presented to Patti Scialfa Springsteen and Zacharie Vinios.

The honor pays homage to the late Mr. Duchossois by annually recognizing a member or members of the USET Foundation Board of Trustees who embody his leadership, generosity, and outstanding character.

Since joining the USET Foundation Board of Trustees in 2010, Springsteen has remained committed to supporting the growth and success of U.S. equestrian riders on the global stage.

 A renowned singer and songwriter, Springsteen’s involvement in high performance equestrian sport began by supporting the career of her daughter, Olympic jumping team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen.

Her involvement has been instrumental in raising significant funds for USEF high performance programs as a supporter of campaigns including “Pathway to the Podium,” and through USET Foundation benefit galas such as “Rockin’ Rio” (2016), “Take Me to Tokyo” (2020), and “Victory in Versailles” (2024).

She generously co-chaired all three fundraising events with her husband, Bruce Springsteen.

These endeavors have raised nearly $4 million for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, helping the U.S. to maintain international prominence.

 The USET Foundation recognized some of its longest-standing and loyal donors.

Established in 1980, the USET Foundation’s Gold Medal Club honors individuals who contribute $1,000 and above annually to the organization.

Celebrating 40-Year Anniversaries

Jane MacElree and Robert C. Ridland/Moore Memorial Trust

Celebrating 35-Year Anniversaries

Linda Sue Harrison, Mary Alice D. Malone, Triple T Foundation,

Celebrating 30-Year Anniversaries

Mary Ferguson, Lorraine Ferrell, Sandra A. Frazier, Grimshaw-Gudewicz Foundation, Robin C. Parsky, Dinah and Stephen Rojek, Adrian and Eric Straus,

Celebrating 25-Year Anniversaries

 Greg W. Gingery. Beth L. Johnson. Louis G. Piancone Charitable Foundation, H. Donnan Sharp.

Celebrating 20-Year Anniversaries

Cornelia W. Bonnie, Karen Long Dwight, Karen Reid Offield, Alexandra Storm, Olivia and Bill Weeks,

Celebrating 15-Year Anniversaries

Carol Cohen Hodess and Rebecca Cohen, Karen S. Cunningham, Susie and Tim Dutta. Nina and Timothy Gardner, Kathleen and Francis X. Hope, Elizabeth Miller and Jamie Dinan, Melanie Smith Taylor, Kathleen and Katie Whaley

Celebrating 10-Year Anniversaries

Sarah and Nicholas Armentrout, Mary Chapot, Diane and Robert Holtaway, Michele and Richard Powers, Karen Pritzker/Seedings Foundation, Karen Sullivan Scovil , Christopher L. Shoales, Wendy and Michael A. Smith