Lexington, Ky. – On a night dedicated to celebrating the horse, US Equestrian is pleased to share that HH Azur, owned by Double H Farm and François Mathy has been voted the 2017 International Horse of the Year and Cuba, owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC, has been voted the 2017 National Horse of the Year.
International Horse of the Year
HH Azur (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Sion van de Zuuthoeve/Sir Lui)
2006 Belgian Warmblood mare
Owners: Double H Farm and François Mathy
HH Azur’s raw athleticism and keen instinct for the sport was evident from the moment her hooves stepped into the show ring with her superstar rider McLain Ward at the reins. Known as “Annie” in the barn, her storybook year began with a win in the $380,000 Suncast Grand Prix CSI5* at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in February. Continuing to demonstrate her dependability and undeniable talent in a major championship, HH Azur delivered three perfect rounds to guide Ward to his first Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final title in April.
Following the World Cup Finals, HH Azur returned to competition at Spruce Meadows in the prestigious $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup CSI5*. From there, she and Ward anchored the U.S. team to a silver-medal tie in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup™ at CHIO Aachen in July and a silver-medal finish in the FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final in September. It should be noted that HH Azur has not had a single fault in team competition in 2017.
HH Azur: 2017 USEF International Horse of the Year
2017 USEF International Horse of the year is HH Azur🎉!!! The twelve-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare is owned by Double H Farm and Francois Mathy and ridden by 2017 USEF Equestrian of the Year, McLain Ward. She did not have a single fault in team competition in 2017 😱🙌
Posted by US Equestrian on Friday, January 19, 2018
See the video honoring HH Azur at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards Gala on USEF Network.
National Horse of the Year
Cuba (Namelus R x Ups-A-Daisy/Mermus R)
2007 KWPN gelding
Owners: John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC
Cuba, John and Stephanie Ingram, LLC’s 10-year-old KWPN gelding, had an impressive year in 2017. Having proven himself a successful hunter, Cuba started his campaign as a Derby horse just one year ago. With rider Victoria Colvin, the pair stood out at the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Championship in August, placing third in the Classic Round, winning the Handy Hunter Round, and finishing as the overall champion by a significant margin of 9.75 points.
Cuba closed the competition year as the USHJA International Derby horse with most money won. Over the course of only five competitions, Cuba earned $55,853.
Cuba: 2017 USEF National Horse of the Year
Cuba is the 2017 USEF National Horse of the Year🎉! The 10-year-old KWPN gelding owned by John and Stephanie Ingram, ridden by Victoria Colvin, and trained by Tom Wright, had an impressive year in 2017. He won the 2017 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship by a margin of 9.75 points and earned $55,853 over the course of five competitions. Congratulations! #JoinTheJoy #HOTY
Posted by US Equestrian on Friday, January 19, 2018
See the video honoring Cuba at the USEF Horse of the Year Awards Gala on USEF Network.