Gladstone, NJ - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Pan American Games Show Jumping Team and Individual Gold medalist Christine McCrea of East Windsor, CT, is the recipient of the 2012 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct while serving as an ambassador for the United States and equestrian sport. McCrea represented the United States on numerous occasions in 2011 with her talented mount, Romantovich Take One, and earned Show Jumping's Individual Gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games with five clear rounds.
McCrea was presented with the trophy during the USET Foundation's benefit, "An English Country Evening" at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, on January 27, 2012.
"I am thrilled to win this award, it is such an honor for myself and my family," expressed McCrea. "The Pan American Games were like a dream, it was incredible. On one hand it was unbelievable, but on the other hand it kind of wasn't because I have that much confidence in my horse and I know he's really that talented. He loves getting up and going to work every day, and when you have a horse with a character like that it just makes the whole process more fun and more exciting."
In addition to McCrea's success at the Pan American Games, she also represented the United States on six occasions during the Top League Series in Europe. She excelled throughout the summer with Romantovich Take One, completing six clear rounds. "I love showing in Europe and competing on a Nation's Cup Team. I think it's the highest honor for any rider," she explained. "It was a little sad the way the Top League ended up for our country, but I know it wasn't for lack of trying. Competing in Europe was amazing and gave me so much confidence."
McCrea added, "George Morris and Lizzy Chesson were unbelievable, as was the whole team experience. Having that whole team and the USET Foundation behind you makes you really feel comfortable and you can focus on your job."
In 2012, McCrea will be focusing on the 2012 London Olympic Trials at the end of March during the Winter Equestrian Festival. In addition to her talented horse, McCrea would like to thank her parents, Larry and Candy Tribble, and her husband, Jonathan McCrea, for their incredible support over the years.
Whitney Stone Cup Winners The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded in honor of the late Whitney Stone, who served as President and Chairman of the Board of the United States Equestrian Team from 1953 to 1973. Mr. Stone was instrumental in the creation of a civilian equestrian team when the Army retired from competitive horse sports after 1948. Previous Whitney Stone Cup winners are:
1980 - Michael Matz 1981 - James C. Wofford 1982 - Norman Dello Joio 1983 - Melanie Smith (Taylor) 1984 - Carole Grant 1985 - Joe Fargis 1986 - Conrad Homfeld 1987 - Katie Monahan Prudent 1988 - Bruce O. Davidson 1989 - Gregory A. Best 1990 - William Long 1991 - Hap Hansen 1992 - Lana DuPont Wright 1993 - Carol Lavell 1994 - J. Michael Plumb 1995 - Robert Dover 1996 - Anne Kursinski 1997 - Leslie Burr Howard 1998 - David O'Connor 1999 - Valerie Kanavy 2000 - Karen O'Connor 2001 - Tucker Johnson 2002 - Guenter Seidel 2003 - Peter Wylde 2004 - Debbie McDonald 2005 - Chris Kappler 2006 - Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden 2007 - Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden 2008 - Miranda (Randy) Caldwell
2009 - Steffen Peters
2010 - McLain Ward
2011 - Tucker S. Johnson
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that 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 United States Equestrian Federation.
For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE atwww.uset.org.
Photo Credit: The USET Foundation presented Christine McCrea (center) with the Whitney Stone Cup. Photo By: Phelps Media Group.
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