Connecticut equestrian professional Christine McCrea has been named recipient of the Whitney Stone Cup by the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. The award was presented January 27th during the USET Foundation’s benefit, titled “An English Country Evening,” in Wellington, Florida.
Individual gold medalist and member of the Pan American Games Show Jumping Team, McCrea was recognized for excellence in international competition and sportsmanship while representing the United States in equestrian sport. The talented rider and horse trainer completed five clear rounds aboard Romantovich Take One to take top individual honors in show jumping at the 2011 Pan American Games.
"I am thrilled to win this award, it is such an honor for myself and my family," McCrea remarked. "The Pan American Games were like a dream, it was incredible. [My horse] loves getting up and going to work every day, and when you have a horse with a character like that it just makes the whole process more fun and more exciting."
McCrea also competed successfully with the Nation’s Cup Team for the Top League Series tour in Europe, racking up six clear rounds in the 2011 event. The 1996 University of Connecticut business graduate has been a fixture on the Grand Prix jumping circuit since 1999.
Currently, McCrea is training at her Windsor Show Stables, in East Windsor, Connecticut, and pointing towards the 2012 London Olympic Trials at the end of March. Her husband, Irish show jumper Jonathan McCrea, also a horse trainer and co-owner of the stables, rides along with her.
Past USET Foundation Whitney Stone Cup winners have included Tucker S. Johnson (2011), McLean Ward (2010), Steffen Peters (2009), Randy Caldwell (2008), and Beezie Madden (2006 and 2007).
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