Grant Established In Le Goff’s Name

The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation has established the Jack Le Goff Memorial Fund in memory of the legendary USET eventing coach, who died on July 24 (see "Jack Le Goff"). The fund will provide annual travel grants to riders selected to represent the United States at the FEI Eventing World Cup Final.

This year’s HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing Final will be held in Strzegom, Poland, on Aug. 21-23, and Kelly Prather, of Bodega, Calif., on Ballinakill Glory will be the U.S. representative. Prather won the World Cup-qualifying CIC*** at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Mont.

Cindy and Larry Lippon, of Cave Creek, Ariz., gave the first major gift to start this fund. The Lippons had the pleasure and honor of knowing Le Goff and understood his passion for the U.S. eventing high-performance program and the FEI Eventing World Cup competition in particular. The FEI Eventing World Cup championship event was Le Goff’s brainchild 10 years ago.

“We cannot thank the Lippons and Trustees Rebecca and Sarah Broussard enough for their generosity in making sure that Jack’s name and memory continue to help U.S. high-performance eventing athletes to compete interna-tionally,” said USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins. “In order to provide for future travel grants, individuals are encouraged to join the Lippons and Broussards in making gifts in Jack Le Goff’s name to ensure that eventers continue to benefit in the future.”

Le Goff came to the United States in 1970 and revolutionized the American equestrian program and defined an era with medals and championships.

Le Goff’s coaching record at international championships was exemplary; he never missed winning a medal with any of the eventing teams that he coached in his 14-year tenure in the United States. Eighteen medals in eight international championships is an outstanding accomplishment by which the U.S. team still measures itself. His innovative, intensive training changed the U.S. eventing program forever.

Donations may be made in Jack Le Goff’s name to the USET Foundation, P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, NJ 07934.