The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association has announced Louise Riggio as the recipient of the Kavar Kerr Distinguished Service Award and McQueen as the 2023 World Championship Hunter Rider Hunter of the Year. Both recipients will be honored on Saturday, Feb. 17, during the $100,000 USHJA WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida.

The Kavar Kerr Distinguished Service Award is awarded each year to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership and commitment to the WCHR program’s philanthropic efforts.

Committed to the future of horse sports, both through her nonprofit involvement and as an owner, New York Ciy-based Riggio sits on the Equestrian Aid Foundation board and was instrumental in the Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund in 2018 and its COVID emergency response programs in 2020 and 2021. She is also president of Green Is the New Blue, a nonprofit working to address issues of environmental sustainability across equestrian activities. Riggio is a firm believer in the healing potential of horses, shown through her support of therapeutic riding programs, and is an ardent supporter of animal rescue organizations.

Since 2011, the USHJA has honored the life and legacy of the late accomplished horseman, Peter Wetherill, by recognizing a current equine athlete that exemplifies the qualities of a top-class show hunter. Wetherill, who died in February 2010, is also fondly remembered as an exemplary owner and an equestrian community advocate who supported the WCHR’s philanthropic endeavors from the start.

Adding to what was a stellar 2023, Walkenbach Equestrian LLC’s McQueen is the recipient of this year’s WCHR Hunter of the Year award. The 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Cornet Obolensky—Sanea) kicked off the year by topping the $100,000 USHJA WCHR West Coast Hunter Spectacular (California) with Nick Haness in the irons. McQueen continued his winning ways throughout the season, claiming the Platinum Performance USHJA 3’6″/3’9″ Green Hunter Incentive Championship (Kentucky) with an untouchable 11.5-point lead and gathering green conformation tricolors at Devon (Pennsylvania), Capital Challenge (Maryland), Pennsylvania National and Washington International (Maryland). Capping off the year, the gelding and Haness were awarded the Jeffrey Katz Trophy for their efforts in WCHR competition.

Riggio and McQueen will be presented with their awards during the opening ceremonies of the $100,000 USHJA WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, which will feature the top Hunters of WEF 6 competing over a hunter classic round with the 12 top-scoring horse-and-rider combinations returning for a second round.

Those at home can catch all the action for free via livestream beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. For more information about the USHJA World Championship Hunter Rider Program, visit ushja.org/WCHR.