California Riding Magazine • February, 2009

Steffen's Star Turn
San Diego dressage master shines
spotlight on his horse and his supporters
while receiving USEF honor.

Dressage rider Steffen Peters was recognized as the 2008 Equestrian of the Year for his incredible achievement and contribution to the sport. He represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong with Ravel, and put on a performance that brought down the house with his freestyle. The pair ended up fourth, missing an individual medal by the narrowest of margins.

Ravel is reasonably inexperienced: 2008 was his first year at the highest level of the sport, but under Peters’ tutelage he was undefeated leading up to the Olympic Games, including winning the USEF Selection Trials for dressage.

“He is my very best friend,” said Peters of Ravel. “What he did for me in Hong Kong was unbelievable. He certainly deserves most of
the credit.”

Peters’ commitment to the sport and integrity under pressure are exemplary. He turned from athlete to super fan in Hong Kong once the dressage finished and stayed to watch and celebrate show jumping’s team gold.

“The value of somebody’s life is not defined by money,” said Peters. “It is about the people around you. I can think of all the people who supported this award and the people who supported Ravel and me. I’d have to say I’m one of the richest guys in the whole world.”

Peters, who also won the William C. Steinkraus Trophy, was unable to attend the award ceremony, held during the USEF Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, because he was conducting a dressage symposium in Florida. He was seriously disappointed to miss the celebration in his honor but his character shown through in a video clip sent from Florida.

“To win the Equestrian of the Year award was a huge honor,” said Peters. “Especially when you look at the other people who have won
this award.”

A Big Mische Moment

Gene Mische, founder of show promotion juggernaut, Stadium Jumping in Florida, was another of the night’s big honorees. He received the Lifetime Achievement award in recognition
for his decades of involvement in the equestrian world. 

“I’m overwhelmed,” said Mische. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be up on this stage receiving this award. It puts me in the company of legends.”

“He has changed the face of the sport,” said USEF President David O’Connor. His life’s work, vision and determination have forged a place in history.

Mische hit West Palm Beach, FL in the 1950s with $26 and two horses. Without him, horse people may never have found the place. 
After years as a trainer, he became a show manager and then planned the first winter show circuit. In 1965, he continued to revolutionize the American face of equestrian sport by conceptualizing and promoting the first U.S. Grand Prix held outdoors.

He can certainly pick out a horse. His string of hunters and jumpers have been ridden by the day’s biggest names and won some of the world’s most impressive titles.

In 1973, he formed his Stadium Jumping, Inc., to produce shows across Florida, which aided in growing seasonal migration to Florida for horsemen. The next year the former sunshine circuit was renamed the Winter Equestrian Festival.

“This success is not mine alone,” said the legend. “I’m just a spoke in the wheel.”

The 1990s saw him assist in the founding of the USET Festival of Champions and manage the Olympic Selection Trials for show jumping and dressage. As the new millennia dawned, he continued his dedication to the sport by taking on the challenge of running the National Horse Show which had left the historic Madison Square Garden. Today, Mische is very active in breeding hunters and jumpers at his Imperial Farm in Palmetto, FL.

Cecile Dunn was not only honored with a Pegasus Medal of Honor, she also was bestowed with the Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy, which is awarded at the discretion of the president. Dunn, another legend who has made this sport a priority on every level for decades was overwhelmed by her accolades.

“I never, never expected this,” said Dunn of the Sallie Busch Wheeler Trophy. “These horses have taken me many, many places. I’ve met so many wonderful people because of my interest in horses. The USEF has a great future. It brings together all of us.”

Youth triumphed in 2008 and Saddlebred rider Jessica Moctexuma of New Jersey was honored for her achievements and sportsmanship in 2008 and was rewarded with the Junior Equestrian of the Year Award.

Moctexuma, from Hardwick, NJ, is establishing herself as a force in the Saddlebred world, from the competition ring to the rescue organizations. Moctezuma is one of the few multi-disciplined riders in the ring to achieve success with equitation, gaited and show/country pleasure mounts, Hackney pony driving and under saddle, Western pleasure, hunt seat on the flat and road horses.

Press release provided by USEF.