Jacqueline Mars has been selected as the recipient of this year’s Professional Riders Organization As You Like It Owner’s Award. This award began in honor of the horse As You Like It, an upper-level eventer owned by Sara Kozumplik, and is awarded each year to an owner who has made a significant contribution to eventing. Mars has owned such notable horses as Giltedge, Prince Panache and, most recently, Hannah Sue Burnett’s Pan Am team gold medal winning horse Harbour Pilot.

Karen O’Connor, who has ridden many of Mars’ horses, nominated her for the award. In addition to owning horses that have gone to Olympic Games and won four-star events, Mars has also made available her farms in Florida and Virginia for U.S. training sessions since 1995. Mars is also the benefactor of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation’s Jacqueline B. Mars Competition and Training Grant. The grant is used to help U.S. riders further their training and was awarded to Sinead Halpin this year for her trip to the Burghley CCI**** in England.

“Deciding each year which of the incredible owners to honor is an almost impossible task, and this year was certainly no different,” Kozumplik said. “Each of the candidates deserves our appreciation and thanks, but I think everyone can agree that it would be hard to have such an award without Jacquie’s name on it! The sport of eventing in this country owes her a huge amount, and I am glad we are adding her to the already impressive list of past winners.”

Mars will receive a crystal trophy, as well as $5,000, which will be donated in her name to any PRO Tour Event she chooses. She will be honored at the PRO Awards Reception at the U.S. Eventing Association Convention in Nashville, Tenn., on Dec. 9.