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FEBRUARY 2024 THE RIDER /43


Virginia Gold Cup Adds $150K Commonwealth Cup to Race Lineup New grade one hurdle race is one of only a two in the country on the spring steeplechase circuit


THE PLAINS, Va.,


Jan. 29, 2024– One of the nation’s oldest and largest steeplechase events, the Vir- ginia Gold Cup announced that it has added a new race to its lineup in May. The $150,000 Commonwealth Cup, a grade one hurdle race (highest level of stakes races), will take place just before the Virginia Gold Race on Saturday, May 4, at Great Meadow (5089 Old Tavern Rd.) in The Plains, Va. This is the 99-year an- niversary of the popular event that draws more than 30,000 out for a day of tail- gating, socializing and wa- gering. Tickets are on sale now and are expected to sell out.


The Commonwealth


Cup will take place over a 2- 1/8 mile course with 12 fences. It is the second grade one race on the U.S. spring steeplechase circuit. Iro- quois in Nashville, Tenn. is currently the only other


Grade 1 steeplechase race in the U.S. “This addition will


provide a race that turns out top horses from around the country, and further elevates the standing of the Virginia Gold Cup on the steeple- chase circuit,” explained Dr. William Allison, president of the Virginia Gold Cup Association. “It also pro- vides meaningful incentive and potential revenue for owners, trainers and riders competing.” The Gold Cup’s long-


standing tradition beckons to national celebrities, local VIPs, D.C. politicians as well as visitors from around the world. Characterized by lavish tailgate spreads, sleek thoroughbreds and exciting hoof-pounding competition, many companies have capi- talized on what the day has to offer by getting involved with sponsorships, purchas- ing tents to entertain, and some actually end up doing


swer to the Kentucky Derby. Gates open for the Vir-


ginia Gold Cup at 10 a.m. with the National Anthem and color guard pre-race at 12:30 p.m. The tailgate con- test judging begins at 12:45 p.m. and the first of eight horse races will be under- way at 1 p.m. Tailgate


packages,


which now include tents in most areas, and Members Hill entertaining tents are available. Purchases can be made


online at


www.vagoldcup.com/va/tic kets or by calling 540-347- 2612.


Also back this year is Photo credit: Richard Clay


business there. Steeplechase offers a


fast-action sport in a refined social setting and, at the Gold Cup, some of the best


horses and jockeys compete over hurdles and timber fences. Held every year on the first Saturday in May, the Virginia Gold Cup en-


joys a spectacular setting in the heart of Virginia’s horse country with the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as the backdrop. It is Virginia’s an-


the popular 1922 VIP Club. Guests will enjoy a private rail side tent with a prime view of the race course. Classic regional fare will be available throughout the day with open bar and signature cocktails. There’s also music entertainment, lawn games, raffle prizes, a Gold Cup souvenir, betting booth,


private restrooms and more. Following the Gold Cup races, the Kentucky Derby will be shown live on the tent’s closed circuit TV. Cost is $250 per person. Great Meadow is lo-


cated just 45 minutes west of Washington, D.C. and is in close proximity to Dulles International Airport. To get there from Washington, D.C., take I-66 west to The Plains exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto The Plains Road (Route 245 south), follow signs to Great Meadow which will be on your left. Call 540-347- 2612 for additional informa- tion or visit the web site at www.vagoldcup.com. The 2024 Virginia


Gold Cup Races are pre- sented by Virginia Equine Alliance, VHBPA, and the Virginia Thoroughbred As- sociation.


USET Foundation Awards Presented to W. James McNerney Jr., Zayna Rizvi, and McLain Ward


Wellington, Fla. — The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation presented the organization’s three most prestigious awards to W. James McNer- ney, Jr., Zayna Rizvi, and McLain Ward during the USET Foundation’s “Vic- tory in Versailles” Benefit Gala presented by Lugano Diamonds held on January 19, 2024, at Five Rings Farm in Wellington, Florida.


Zayna Rizvi Named Re- cipient of Lionel Guer- rand-Hermès Trophy Rizvi,


19, was


awarded the 2024 Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, which is presented annually to a junior or young rider in an Olympic discipline who exemplifies the U.S. Eques- trian Team’s ideals of sportsmanship and horse- manship. “Winning the Lionel


Guerrand-Hermès Trophy and having my name added to a list alongside outstand- ing equestrians is truly an honor,” said Rizvi of Wellington, Florida. “I very much appreciate the USET Foundation’s and the Guer- rand-Hermès family’s com- mitment


to recognizing


up-and-coming U.S. ath- letes. This achievement has motivated me to continue setting goals and to work harder than ever to achieve them.


“I would like to thank


my mentors at US Eques- trian (USEF) who have played significant roles dur- ing my team experiences,” Rizvi continued. “I also want to thank my parents for supporting me every step of the way and the team at North Run for coaching me for the past eight years. Lastly, the most important thank you goes to all of the horses that have given me these opportunities. I am so lucky to continue to work


with such amazing animals that always jump their hearts out for me. Without them, none of this would be possible.” Developing through


the USEF High Perform- ance Jumping Pathway, Rizvi has successfully rep- resented the U.S. at the Children’s,


Junior, and


Young Rider levels, includ- ing top placings in the Plat- inum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Final; two individual gold, as well as team gold and silver medals, at the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC); team gold in the Children’s division at CSIO5* Welling- ton; and team gold in the Junior division at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final in Kronenberg, the Netherlands. “The USEF pathway


programs provide amazing experiences that help young athletes learn how to ride under pressure and to work as part of a team,” Rizvi ex- plained. “These programs taught me invaluable les- sons


in sportsmanship,


teamwork, and performing in high-stress situations, all of which have been crucial to my growth as a junior rider. I plan to carry these lessons with me as I progress through the sport.” In the fall of 2023,


Rizvi made her senior Na- tions Cup team debut com- peting for the U.S. at the CSIO3* Vejer de la Fron- tera, Spain, and CSIO3* Vilamoura, Portugal. Her strong performances as the lead-off rider helped the U.S. team secure podium finishes at both competi- tions.


The Lionel Guerrand-


Hermès Award was estab- lished in 1983 by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès in mem- ory of his son, Lionel, an Olympic hopeful trained by


Board of the USET and was instrumental in the creation of a civilian team when the Army retired from competi- tive horse sports after 1948.


W. James McNerney, Jr. Presented With R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award USET


Foundation USET Foundation Board of Trustees Vice President William H. Weeks (left) and USET Founda-


tion President, Chairman, and CEO W. James McNerney, Jr. (right) presented the 2024 Whitney Stone Cup to McLain Ward (center). Photo by Luxeciné


U.S. Eventing Coach, Jack LeGoff, who was tragically killed in an automobile acci- dent at the age of 18. A per- petual trophy designed by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès is inscribed annually with the winner’s name and perma- nently displayed at


USET Foundation’s head- quarters in Gladstone, New Jersey.


McLain Ward Awarded Whitney Stone Cup The 2024 Whitney


Stone Cup was awarded to five-time show jumping Olympian and Olympic gold and silver medalist McLain Ward, identifying him as an active competitor whose consistent excellence in in- ternational competition and whose standard for sports- manlike conduct and contri- butions as an ambassador for the sport and for the USET Foundation exem- plify the U.S. Equestrian Team’s highest ideals and traditions. One of the world’s top-


ranked jumping athletes, Ward of Brewster, New York, has amassed an im-


the


pressive international record throughout his career. In 2023, Ward was a member of the winning Nations Cup team at the CSIO5* San Juan Capistrano (USA), which helped the team se- cure a spot at the CSIO5* Longines Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain. In addi- tion, Ward’s commitment and strong performances as the lead-off rider at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, helped the team secure the gold medal and the Olympic Games qualification. He also earned the individual bronze medal at the same competition rid- ing Contagious. “I’d like to thank the


USET Foundation, its offi- cers, and its supporters for honoring me with this won- derful award,” stated Ward. “The Whitney Stone Cup recognizes something that I aim for tirelessly: excellence in equestrian sport. It’s not possible to achieve such goals without the unwaver- ing support of my family. In addition, Lee McKeever and his family have been by my side for the past 35 years.


Their contributions to our achievements and what we’ve built with our horses are monumental. “It goes without saying


I’ve had the wonderful ben- efit of great teammates,” continued Ward. “We also owe many of our successes to our owners and sponsors. I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported the USET Foundation and be- lieved in its vision of achieving excellence at the highest levels of the sport and have given of your- selves diligently. I also want to recognize all of our pro- fessional grooms and veteri- narians past and present. Finally, to our partners, the horses. Without their reins, we could not fly and none of this would be possible. Cheers to all of the wonder- ful equines that have repre- sented our country.” The Whitney Stone


Cup, which was presented to the Team by the Officers and Directors of the USET Foundation, is given in honor of the late Whitney Stone. Stone served as Pres- ident and Chairman of the


President, Chairman, and CEO W. James McNerney, Jr. was presented with the R. Bruce Duchossois Distin- guished Trustee Award. The honor pays homage to the late Mr. Duchossois by rec- ognizing a member of the USET Foundation Board of Trustees who embodies his leadership, generosity, and outstanding character. McNerney of Welling-


ton, Florida, was elected to the role of Chairman of the USET Foundation in 2019 after serving as the Presi- dent and CEO since 2017 and having supported the or- ganization in various capac- ities since 2012. In these roles, McNerney


has


demonstrated extraordinary leadership, a dedication to philanthropic endeavors, and a deep love for the sport.


“This is all about peo-


ple, our teams, and our country,” said McNerney. “It’s all about coming to- gether in a way that demon- strates that our country upholds values that people aspire to be a part of and a country that aims for excel- lence. I’m inspired by everyone I meet in this sport, and particularly those that strive to achieve great success. Thank you for this unexpected award.


I’m


highly appreciative.” Under McNerney’s the USET


stewardship,


Foundation has reached new heights. He has co-chaired two major gift campaigns, driving unprecedented sup- port for the organization’s


mission, and has been a lead donor showcasing his per- sonal commitment to the cause.


McNerney’s philan-


thropic efforts extend be- yond his role with the USET Foundation. A testament to their commitment to the sport and their country, Mc- Nerney and his wife Haity have owned horses for U.S. Olympic show jumping ath- lete Kent Farrington. Sev- eral of these horses have successfully represented the U.S. in Nations Cup compe- tition. Most recently, Far- rington and Landon, owned by the McNerneys, helped the U.S. show jumping squad earn the team gold medal before claiming the individual silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile. The presentations of


the USET Foundation’s three distinguished awards and this year’s “Victory in Versailles” Benefit Gala presented by Lugano Dia- monds, hosted by honorary chairmen Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen, were made possible thanks to the USET Foundation’s gener- ous donors and sponsors, in- cluding the “Victory in Versailles” presenting spon- sor Lugano Diamonds, en- tertainment sponsor HUB Private Client, and wine sponsor Château


de


Reignac. The United States


Equestrian Team Founda- tion is a non-profit organiza- tion that supports the competition,


training,


coaching, travel, and educa- tional needs of America’s elite and developing interna- tional, high performance horses and athletes in part- nership with the United States Equestrian Federa- tion.


Learn more www.uset.org. at


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