United States Equestrian Team Foundation’s 2005 Maxine Beard Award Winner Cayce Harrison Says “Viva Las Vegas”

Gladstone, NJ – April 26, 2005 - 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 www.uset.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: Cayce Harrison with father, Hunter Harrison of Double H Farm. Photo by Linda Wirtz.