USEA Area 2 Convention – 2011 Smurfie Award Winners Announced!
| January 21, 2012 | Posted by Patricia under Have You Heard? |
Cowboy Smurf!
Today was the USEA Area 2 convention, and the winners of the 2011 Smurfie Awards were announced. We wrote about these unusual awards earlier in the year. Basically, these awards are not based on competition results, but reward personal qualities – like leadership, courage under adversity, willingness to help others etc…
Yvonne Lucas, who runs Red Moon Farm, deserves a lot of credit for creating, organizing and sponsoring the Smurfies: “I wanted to sponsor an award for adult riders that wasn’t based on performance in competitions. The various Smurf dolls available gave me some ideas for award categories, and in 2006 the first Smurfie Awards were presented. The recipients are nominated and selected by the members of the Area II Adult Riders and must be members, except for the “Hug your Smurf” category.”
Calling adult (lower-level) riders “Smurfs” originated with US coach Captain Mark Phillips some years ago. His comments caused quite an uproar among the adult riders, who make up the great majority of USEA members. USEA Area 2 treasurer DC McBroom made sure Mark was reminded of his comments at every opportunity by leaving a Smurf doll where he would be sure to encounter it. Since then, many adult riders have adopted the Smurf title as their own.
Sponsored by VTO Saddlery and the Area II Adult Riders, here are the winners for the 2011 Smurfie Awards:
HUG YOUR SMURF: Any person, Area 2 member or not, who has done the most to support the Area II Adult Riders and their activities.
- Michele Schwartz: many A2AR support activities behind the scenes, including keeping the membership roster.
PAPA SMURF: The A2AR member who best displayed leadership and dispensed support, information and wisdom to other Area II Adult Riders.
- Janet Gunn: our “rules Guru”
COWBOY SMURF: The A2AR member who best displayed bravery, brilliance, survivorship, riding-the-buck, and grace under pressure with a tough horse.
- Judith Lamb: “done the impossible with the unwilling” on her mare
INDIAN SMURF: The A2AR member who displayed great personal strength against adversity, showing toughness, heart, and perseverance.
- Brena Jones: Great attitude despite injury to both herself and her horse (www.teamflyingsolo.com)
SMURFETTE: The A2AR member who consistently displayed and helped others achieve great style and turnout. A Groombabe or Groomdude!
- Diane Zrimsek: immaculate turnout and braiding dedication above and beyond to her and others’ horses, even at 3AM in the rain.
Well done everyone!!! And a big round of applause for Yvonne for organizing the Smurfies + VTO Saddlery, for kindly donating the prizes for the winners.
