Wellington, Fla. – Jan. 19, 2019 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation is pleased to honor the talented young show jumping athlete Daisy Farish of Versailles, Kentucky, as the recipient of the 2019 Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy. This prestigious award is presented annually to a junior/young rider in one of the Olympic disciplines who demonstrates the team’s values of sportsmanship and horsemanship.
Farish was presented with the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy during the USET Foundation’s Gold Medal Club Reception on Friday, Jan. 18, at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida.
At just 18 years old, Farish has steadily been climbing the ranks in the jumper ring and has had notable results in the competitive U25 classes with Great White, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding. Trained by the team at Heritage Farm based in Katonah, New York, Farish exemplifies high standards of sportsmanship as she competes regularly at some of the best horse shows in the country and beyond.
“It is surreal to be in the company of talented equestrians who have received this award before me,” said Farish. “Everyone knows that a show jumping career takes a village and there are a few I must name: my mother, father and Jodie Bailey for their endless commitment, encouragement and support and Andre Dignelli and his entire team at Heritage Farm for guiding me and my horses for the past 11 years. I want to thank the foundation for their long-standing commitment to the United States show jumping community. I am truly honored.”
In addition to her equestrian achievements, Farish balances a rigorous academic schedule as a senior at Laurel Springs High School. The young rider has proven to be an invaluable teammate who has a strong interest in continuing to support the United States equestrian teams as she continues her impressive career in the sport.
Farish experienced immense success individually and as a valued team member throughout 2018, including earning the individual gold medal at the Adequan®/FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, New York. As a result, she was presented with the USET Foundation’s coveted Maxine Beard Award as the highest placing U.S. young rider. This accomplishment earned her a spot on the U.S. team in September for the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final in Opglabbeek, Belgium, where she produced two clear rounds.
Proving her versatility in all three rings, Farish closed out 2018 with a win in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals – East, held at the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, in October aboard Arsouille Des Etangs.
Farish has proven she is a force to be reckoned with as she continues to amass an impressive record, making her way along the U.S. show jumping athlete pathway and achieving her aspirations to represent the United States at international competitions.
Looking ahead, Farish is excited for the upcoming year and is hoping for continued success. Paired with hard work and the same values which earned her a spot on this year’s Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, Farish will undoubtedly have great results in 2019.
About the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy:
Patrick Guerrand-Hermès established the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Memorial Award in 1983 in memory of his son, Lionel, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 1981 at the age of 18. Lionel trained with the United States Equestrian Team and was talented enough to be considered an Olympic hopeful. A perpetual trophy designed by Patrick Guerrand-Hermès is inscribed annually with the winner’s name and permanently displayed at the USET Foundation headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey. Previous winners are:
1983 – Mark Leone
1984 – Jeffery Welles
1985 – Holly Mitten
1986 – Gregory A Best
1987 – Susanne Owen
1988 – Christopher Kappler
1989 – Mollie Bliss
1990 – Kim Keenan
1991 – McLain Ward
1992 – Abigail Lufkin
1993 – Mark Combs
1994 – Gabriella Salick
1995 – Megan Johnstone
1996 – Jonathan Elliot
1997 – Alison Firestone
1998 – Bruce Davidson Jr.
1999 – Chad Geeter
2000 – Elise Haas
2001 – Marilyn Little
2002 – Clark Montgomery
2003 – Will Faudree
2004 – Kristin Schmolze
2005 – Brianne Goutal
2006 – Katie Hamilton
2007 – Carolyn Kelly
2008 – Hillary Dobbs
2009 – Laura Noyes
2010 – Jennifer Waxman
2011 – Tiana Coudray
2012 – Lucy Davis
2013 – Reed Kessler
2014 – Katie Dinan
2015 – Lillie Keenan
2016 – Lucy Deslauriers
2017 – Chloe Reid
2018 – Jennifer Gates
2019 – Daisy Farish
The USET Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international and high performance horses and athletes in partnership with US Equestrian.
