Two members of the American Saddlebred community were recognized this month for their unprecedented equestrian achievements among all breeds and divisions at the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pegasus Awards Dinner. Elisabeth Goth, from Lebanon, Kentucky, was awarded the Robert P. Strub Trophy as the 2015 USEF Equestrian of the Year, and Cameron Kay, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, received the Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy as 2015 Junior Equestrian of the Year.

Goth has always been a standout competitor in the Saddlebred industry, constantly showcasing an impeccable string of equine athletes, as well as incredible talent and sportsmanship in the show ring. Her 2015 season included wins in the Grand Champion Five-Gaited, Champion Five-Gaited Ladies, and Champion Three-Gaited Amateur classes at the Midwest Charity Horse Show in June, and a Grand Champion Five-Gaited title at the Blue Ridge Classic Horse Show in July.

She won in three different divisions at this year’s Kentucky State Fair World’s Championship Horse Show, also claiming the Reserve World Grand Champion Five-Gaited title. The UPHA/American Royal National Championship was her most successful show of 2015, where she won four of the five classes in which she competed, including the National Grand Champion Five-Gaited Ladies and National Champion Five-Gaited Ladies Mare divisions. She is also the recipient of several Saddlebred industry honors and awards this year, including the 2015 Audrey Pugh Gutridge and UPHA Sallie B. Wheeler Distinguished Service Awards.

The 2015 USEF Junior Equestrian of the Year, Cameron Kay, received the Ruth O’Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy for her honor, courage, dedication, and sportsmanship. Kay holds one of the most decorated show careers in the history of saddle seat equitation, having swept all six of the saddle seat equitation national finals for both the American Saddlebred and the Morgan divisions, along with several of the American Saddlebred pleasure equitation national finals. Kay was also a member of the 2015 USEF Young Riders Saddle Seat Team, and represented the United States overseas at the 2015 South Africa Saddle Seat Invitational. Team USA came out on top in the competition, and Kay also received the gold medal for the top individual performance. Her future as a senior exhibitor is already looking bright, as she will be returning to South Africa next year as a member of Team USA for the 2016 Saddle Seat World Cup.