Wellington, Fla. – March 8, 2017 – Each year, top riders from around the world gather at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) during the CSIO4* competition held Week Eight. On Sunday, March 5, Canada’s Ian Millar was presented with the Kate Nash Boone Style Award during the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSIO4*.
The award is given to the international equestrian who exemplifies the best style of riding along with maintaining a sportsmanlike composure, while competing in the CSIO4* at WEF during Nations Cup week. Presented in memory of Kate Nash Boone, the award is a way to honor the memory of Boone’s support and love of ‘all things equestrian.’ Michael Meller of E2 Show Jumpers awarded the trophy to Millar along with Emmy Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard for Boone’s friends and family.
Part of Canada’s Nations Cup team on Friday, Olympic silver medalist and four-time Pan American Games gold medalist, Millar, affectionately known as “Captain Canada,” is well-known on the circuit for producing top horses and being a supportive teammate.
“It’s quite a list of riders in the CSIO division and they’re all good, stylish and good sportsman,” said Millar. “To receive this award is very flattering and appreciated. It’s a great thing that Michael Meller does in recognizing that element of riding. I’m very, very honored to win it.”
On Friday, Millar piloted his longtime partner, Dixson, to a 4-fault finish in the first round and jumped clear with 1 time fault in the second round to help Team Canada secure fourth place in the $150,000 FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4*.
“I believe that Ian is one of the world’s most talented riders,” stated Meller. “He takes the time to really develop a partnership with each of his horses. He is a horseman in the truest sense of the word with a successful career spanning many decades. It’s an honor to present him with the award; he truly deserves it.”
E2 Show Jumpers is also pleased to congratulate Peter Lutz and QBS’ Cheri De Papignies on their victory in the $5,000 Lugano Diamonds Welcome on Wednesday, March 1.
“We are really very excited about him,” Lutz stated. “We took him to a few horse shows this fall at indoors. He went to Harrisburg, and then he came down here. He did his first grand prix here out on the derby field two weeks ago with one down. He has also been doing really well in these speed classes. This is his first FEI week with us, and we are so excited. We hope he will be our next grand prix horse.
“It is always special to win during CSIO week,” continued Lutz. “It is a big week for the team, and I am so happy to help contribute whenever I can.”
As the season continues, Meller and E2 Show Jumpers continue to support the industry by sponsoring awards at the upcoming Live Oak International and Dublin Horse Show in Ireland. Founded by Katherine Gallagher, Meller and Dan Walsh, the mission of E2 Show Jumpers is to find and produce some of the world’s top young show jumping mounts.