On Friday Mr. Wetherill, Babbie and I went to the USEA Annual Meeting in Reston, VA to attend the Annual Awards Luncheon. At the luncheon, the high score riders and horses for each year are honored. These awards are based on points. Phillip Dutton won most of the rider awards, including rider of the year. Other awards are also presented, including owner's awards and the Governor's Award, which is often given to event organizers. These awards are chosen by a committee through a nomination process. This year Mr. Wetherill was honored. In October I nominated him for an owner's award. The USEA felt that Mr. Wetherill's story was so special, however, that they created a new award for him. On Friday, he was presented with the inaugural USEA President's Award for lifetime service to the sport of eventing. Jimmy Wofford read an excerpt from my nomination letter while a 1950's picture of Mr. Wetherill jumping a three rail vertical was projected on the big screen. USEA President Kevin Baumgardner handed Mr. Wetherill a crystal bowl engraved with his name, and perhaps most special of all, Mr. Wetherill received a standing ovation from the room. Many young friends old friends were there to congratulate Mr. Wetherill and celebrate the honor with him, among them General Jack Burton. General Burton is a week younger than Mr. Wetherill and was one of the founding members of the USEA.
Today I am in Pennsylvania teaching and it is snowing! Did I bring the bad weather?!
