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

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. Equestrian Team’s ideals of sportsmanship and horsemanship.

Photo – USET Foundation Board of Trustees Vice President William H. Weeks (left) and USET Foundation President, Chairman, and CEO W. James McNerney, Jr. (right) presented the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy to Zayna Rizvi (center). (Jump Media)

“Winning the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy and having my name added to a list alongside outstanding equestrians is truly an honor,” said Rizvi of Wellington, Florida. “I very much appreciate the USET Foundation’s and the Guerrand-Hermès family’s commitment to recognizing up-and-coming U.S. athletes. This achievement has motivated me to continue setting goals and to work harder than ever to achieve them.

Thankful

“I would like to thank my mentors at US Equestrian (USEF) who have played significant roles during 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 Performance Jumping Pathway, Rizvi has successfully represented the U.S. at the Children’s, Junior, and Young Rider levels, including top placings in the Platinum 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* Wellington; and team gold in the Junior division at the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final in Kronenberg, the Netherlands.

Amazing Experiences

“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 explained. “These programs taught me invaluable lessons 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 Nations Cup team debut competing for the U.S. at the CSIO3* Vejer de la Frontera, Spain, and CSIO3* Vilamoura, Portugal. Her strong performances as the lead-off rider helped the U.S. team secure podium finishes at both competitions.

The Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Award was established in 1983 by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès in memory of his son, Lionel, an Olympic hopeful trained by U.S. Eventing Coach, Jack LeGoff, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident at the age of 18. A perpetual trophy designed by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès is inscribed annually with the winner’s name and permanently displayed at the USET Foundation’s headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey.

The presentations of the USET Foundation’s three distinguished awards and this year’s “Victory in Versailles” Benefit Gala presented by Lugano Diamonds, hosted by honorary chairmen Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen, were made possible thanks to the USET Foundation’s generous donors and sponsors, including the “Victory in Versailles” presenting sponsor Lugano Diamonds, entertainment sponsor HUB Private Client, and wine sponsor Château de Reignac.