Betty Cox, 17, of Danville, KY, has been named as the 2003 Junior Equestrian of the Year. The presentation of the Ruth O'Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy will be made at the Pegasus Awards Dinner, Friday, January 16, during the 2004 U.S. Equestrian Annual Meeting at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

Accomplishments that helped propel Cox include wins at the 2003 USAE Saddle Seat Medal Finals, UPHA Senior Championship, the Good Hands National Saddle Seat Championship and the World's Grand Champion Senior Rider. Cox is in the top tenth percentile of her junior class and counts field hockey and lacrosse among her other endeavors.

The Ruth O'Keefe Meredith Memorial Trophy was established in 1985 to honor a junior individual who exemplifies "exceptional talent, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport" and has made "outstanding contributions to equestrian competition." A selection panel of six members, composed of representatives of the different breeds and disciplines recognized by U.S. Equestrian, is presented with a list of nominees and biographical information provided by the nominee. Previous winners included; Lindsey Phibbs (1997); Jill Prieto (1998); Emily Williams (1999); Sarah Willeman (2000); Reese Richey (2001); and Hillary Hoffman (2002).

For more information, please contact Sarah Holt, Public Relations on (859) 225 6974 or via email at sholt@usef.org. USA Equestrian press releases are available on our web site - www.usef.org.