Lexington, KY—November 18, 2005 - After decades of service to the equestrian industry, the United States Equestrian Federation proudly tips Tiffany’s sterling silver hat to one of eventing’s stand-out stars, Walter Straus, the recipient of the 2005 USEF Lifetime Achievement Award and the Jimmy A. Williams Trophy. This unparalleled award is given to the horseman or woman whose “life experience and accomplishments exemplify uncommon devotion to the sport of competition with horses and whose equestrian career and horsemanship have continually elevated the sport’s excellence.” A life-long equestrian since the age of seven, Mr. Straus fits the bill.

“I feel deeply honored,” Straus shared. “What I am and what I’ve become is because of the wonderful examples in my life—my father, and the many teachers and students I’ve had over the years.”

Entering a distinguished circle of equestrians that has included Lowell Boomer, Frank D. Chapot, John H. Fritz, HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Jack Le Goff, and husband and wife teams Kenneth and Sallie Wheeler and Ned and Nina Bonnie, Mr. Straus brings years of service to his lifetime achievement post. Best known as a former Director of the United States Equestrian Team, Mr. Straus has been an active horseman throughout his life, training, competing and judging. Straus is a past president of the USCTA, AHSA Zone VII and the Texas Hunter-Jumper Association, where he also served for 15 years on the Executive Committee. An international Pentathlon judge, Mr. Straus is also an “R” judge in Jumper, Hunter, Hunter Seat Equitation, Dressage, and Eventing. In 1984, he officiated the riding phase at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Most recently, Straus was honored with a 2001 Pegasus Medal of Honor.

The USEF Lifetime Achievement Award will be formally presented to Walter Straus during the USEF’s 2006 Annual Meeting at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, January 13, at the Pegasus Awards dinner. For ticket information, log on to www.usef.org.