United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s 2005 Maxine Beard Award Winner Cayce Harrison Says “Viva Las Vegas”
Equestrian News Release
Gladstone, NJ – April 26 - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s 2005 Maxine Beard Award Winner, Cayce Harrison, has returned from the Budweiser World Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, and reports that she will take away a treasure trove of insights from her week at the world’s premiere indoor championship.
The Maxine Beard Award was established by friends of the popular trainer Ronnie Beard in honor of Ronnie's mother. It 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.
The recipients of the 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. Alternates for the Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian Games, as well as riders who have competed in the Show Jumping World Cup Final, are still considered Show Jumping Developing Riders and are eligible for the award.
Each year, the Maxine Beard Award winner is given a chance to attend the World Cup Finals. They get an insider's look at a major international show jumping competition, including the chance to observe operations in the horse show office, stabling, veterinary inspections and schooling. One of the highlights of the experience was the chance to walk each course with the riders while receiving instructional comments from respected coaches such as George H. Morris. “George told me that I was in the real world now and to take note of it,” Harrison laughed.
“I had an excellent time in Las Vegas. I thought it was an amazing event,” said Harrison. “With the presentation, the production and the greatest riders in the world, I enjoyed the World Cup more than any other event I’ve ever seen.”
“I got to walk the course for all of the classes and spent some time in the schooling area as well. I also met and spent time with some of the most important people in the show jumping world. It was a wonderful experience for me. I’d been to the World Cup Finals before, but never had a chance to walk the course or be in the thick of things, so this was very special to me.”
“Before the trip, George Morris told me to come to Las Vegas and have a good time, but to stay focused and be serious during the day,” Harrison explained. “He told me that I had received this award because I deserved it and he wanted me to take it as seriously as the selectors took it when they chose me to win the award. I tried to follow that advice.”
“I feel I’ve come away with a much deeper understanding of what goes on at this type of international championship event.” Harrison went on to say, “It’s left me more excited about riding this year and trying to qualify to get to next year’s World Cup Final. We’re going to make that a goal this year and being here as the Maxine Beard Award winner gave me a chance to see what happens from the inside and maybe it won’t be quite as intimidating or foreign to me if I make it to the finals.”
The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing International High Performance horses and athletes in partnership with the US Equestrian Federation.
Previous Recipients of the Maxine Beard Award
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
For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at http://www.uset.org.
Reader Comments
Be the first to submit a comment on this article!
Submit your comments
Link to this article
---------------------- It's easy! Just copy code below and paste into your webpage --------------------
<a href="http://www.equestrianmag.com/article/maxine-beard-award-winner-cayce-harrison.html">United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s 2005 Maxine Beard Award Winner Cayce Harrison Says “Viva Las Vegas”</a> ~ EquestrianMag.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your link will appear like this:
United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s 2005 Maxine Beard Award Winner Cayce Harrison Says “Viva Las Vegas” ~ EquestrianMag.com
|