The Show Jumping Hall of Fame has elected two new inductees: Olympic gold and silver medalist Leslie Burr Howard and David Distler, an Olympic judge and FEI Steward General.

With the cancellation of this year’s Devon Horse Show (Pennslyvania), site of the Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony, the date and location of this year’s induction ceremony is undetermined. Plans will be announced.

For over five decades, Howard has been one of the most competitive and beloved show jumping icons in the nation. With a slew of grand prix victories, titles, and accolades to her credit, ‘Leapin Leslie’ was an integral part of U. S. teams that won the team gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the team silver at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She also won team gold and silver medals in the Pan American Games and was the 1986 FEI World Cup champion. She was honored with induction into the Show Hunter Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Hall of Fame in 2018.

David Distler has devoted nearly five decades to the sport of show jumping. His career has seen him serve in most every role and has seen him rise from in-gate starter to show manager to Olympic judge and FEI Steward General. Distler has been part of five Olympic Games and three World Equestrian Games and 12 World Cup Finals. He has served as manager of several of the country’s biggest and most important horse shows including the USET Show Jumping Olympic Trials, Devon, Washington International and National Horse Shows, as well as the Winter Equestrian Festival (Florida) and USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.