Louise Serio, co-founder and vice president of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation (AHJF), was recently named one of eight 2005 Equestrians of Honor by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). She will be presented with the Emerson Burr Trophy in recognition of her accomplishments in the show hunter ring. The Equestrian of Honor Awards are divided into seven categories, representing the various disciplines governed by the USEF. Serio, along with this year's seven other winners, will be recognized at the Federation's Annual Meeting. The Equestrian of Honor Awards are presented annually to horsemen or horsewomen who have excelled above all others in equestrian competition for the current year, while demonstrating superior sportsmanship and dedication to the principles, vision, and mission of the United States Equestrian Federation.

Serio and the other candidates were nominated during the year by either National Affiliates, the Chairs of the USEF Breed/Discipline committees, or the USEF Sport Programs and Communications staff. An Ad Hoc Awards committee then selected the winners based on their accomplishments throughout the year.

Serio, Kennett Square, PA, put in many stellar performances throughout the year. Some of the most memorable included her piloting Costello to win the 2005 AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular in Wellington. This appropriately named annual event features the best show hunters in the country vying for big prize money plus additional special prizes. It is a rare opportunity for show hunters to compete under the lights over a picturesque course on the Wellington Grand Prix field.

Serio won a great number of Champion and Reserve Champion titles in the Regular Working Hunter and Green Working Hunter divisions at such shows as the Wellington Classic, Kilkenny Internationale, Devon Horse Show, Middleburg Classic and the Capital Challenge Horse Show. At the Capital Challenge Horse Show in October, Serio also won the highly sought title of Monarch International/Show Circuit Magazine World Championship Professional Hunter Rider. This title, presented by the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation, is determined by an exciting ride-off between the four professional riders who are leading the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards point standings for the year. In the ride-off, each of the four riders competes over the same hunter course on each of four horses -- which they have never ridden before! All rounds are judged using the open numerical scoring system with the winner being the rider with the highest total score.

Now, as one of the 2005 USEF Equestrians of Honor, Serio is in the running for the 2005 USEF Equestrian of the Year. The USEF encourages all members in good standing to vote on-line for the candidates of their choice. In addition to the General Membership vote, the USEF Board of Directors and Media representatives named by the USEF will also have input as to determining the 2005 USEF Equestrian of the Year.

The Equestrian of the Year Award will be announced and awarded at the Pegasus Awards Dinner on January 13, 2006 during the USEF Annual Meeting at the Hilton Netherland Plaza in Cincinnati, Ohio.