For the second consecutive year, Liza Boyd has been awarded the United States Equestrian Federation's Emerson Burr Trophy, the Federation's highest honor in the Hunters! The Emerson Burr Trophy is presented to a rider in the hunter divisions in any breed over fences who has achieved excellence.
Liza Boyd and Brunello
Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, Liza is one of nine stars of equestrian sport across the USEF's breeds and disciplines. Just one of them will win the distinguished grand prize and be named "2014 USEF Equestrian of the Year."
From the USEF Press Release distributed on December 17: Liza Boyd has long been regarded as one of the top hunter professionals in the industry, having won 28 USHJA International Hunter Derbies, including back-to-back wins in the 2013 and 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships.
With her win in the 2014 Derby Championships, Boyd made history as the first rider to ever claim victory in the prestigious class twice. Making the feat even more impressive, she had only recently returned to the saddle after giving birth to her daughter, Adeline, 2 1/2 months earlier. Boyd also took home Performance Working – 3’6” and Pre-Green Hunter 3’ Division Championships at the Charleston Summer Classic (South Carolina), as well as the Performance Working – 3’3” Championship at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show (North Carolina). She rounded out the year with wins in the Performance Hunter 3’6” Championship at the Kentucky National, and in the Green Conformation Hunter Championship at the Atlanta Fall Classic.
USEF members and non-members are invited to vote for the USEF Equestrian of the Year, so we hope you'll take a moment and vote for Liza! Please click here for the ballot. Voting will run through midnight EST on January 5, 2015.
The winner will be announced during the USEF Annual Meeting's Pegasus Awards Gala. This year's ceremonies will take place on Friday night, January 16, 2015.
We are so proud of Liza for this amazing achievement!
