The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation awarded the 2012 Amanda Warrington Grant to eventer Connor Husain of The Plains, Va. The grant is awarded through the USET Foundation Amanda Pirie Warrington Fund.

Warrington’s family established the fund in her memory to provide financial assistance to a developing event rider who has the talent and ability to represent the United States in the future.

The Grant Committee recommends a recipient that they believe will benefit from the opportunity of continuing training with top coaches and competing against the world’s best horse and rider combinations.

“It is such an honor to receive such an amazing grant,” said Husain, the first male to win this prestigious grant. “To get this kind of recognition from USET Foundation is really a dream come true. I’ve had a really good season with my horse, and I hope it continues.”

Earlier this year, Husain, 19, won the two-star at the Adequan/FEI North American Young Rider Championship (Ky.) and the Fair Hill CCI** (Md.) with his talented mount Piece Of Hope. As the recipient of the grant, Husain will receive up to $5,000 to help offset expenses associated with his training over the next year.

“For 2013, I applied for the developing riders list, so I would love to be a part of that,” noted Husain. “I plan on going to Aiken, and the grant will help with some of those travel expenses. I plan on moving up to advanced some time in the spring and hope to do a few three-day events during the season. I think the grant will help me do a few three days that I would not have been able to do otherwise.”

The past year has been a whirlwind for Husain, who partnered with Piece Of Hope in the fall of 2011 after purchasing the 13-year-old gelding from Germany’s Christoffer Forsberg. The pair won the open intermediate at the Morven Park Horse Trials (Va.) in May before winning at NAJYRC and Fair Hill.

“My trainer, Skyeler Icke Voss, has helped me with getting to know my horse and focusing on a strong foundation,” said Husain. “Our partnership has really flourished. He is a class act in all three phases. Piece of Hope is an incredible horse, and he has the best attitude.”

Husain is currently a sophomore at George Mason University (Va.) where he is studying business management. His parents recently purchased Morningside Training Farm, and after he graduates, Husain plans to become a professional and start his own training center alongside Sarah Voss.

“My dream is to be on a team, whether it is the Pan American Games, the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games, or any internationally recognized event,” commented Husain. “I am taking it one step at a time, but I would love to be on an Olympic Team. That is the end goal.”