USHJA Zone 5 Awards Horsemen of the Year at the CP National Horse Show

Ringmaster John Franzreb, Marla Holt (USHJA Managing Director of Awards), Tammy Provost, Diane Carney (Zone 5 Committee Chairman), JP Bordeleau and Erin Keating (USHJA Managing Director of Regional Member Services) were on hand at the CP National Horse Show for the presentation to honor Wendy Newby and Hugh Kincannon.

Lexington, KY - November 5, 2016 - Established in 2014, the annual Zone 5 Horseman of the Year Awards are presented to individuals, who through their dedication and contribution of time, knowledge, financial and other assistance, have added to the betterment of the sport.

The award has two categories: contemporary and posthumous. Those eligible to receive the honor include individuals, groups of horsemen, riders, owners, and breeders who are long-time residents of Zone 5.

The Zone 5 Hunter and Jumper Committees are pleased to announce Wendy Newby as the Posthumous Award Winner and Hugh Kincannon as the Contemporary Award winner of the 2016 Zone 5 Horseman of the Year Awards.

Posthumous Award Recipient: Wendy Newby

Wendy Newby with her grandson, Cole.

Wendy Wright Newby was a horsewoman, a teacher, a friend. She inspired riders—from up-down to the Maclay Finals. Teaching was truly her passion, and the impact she had on our sport and her students’ lives was tremendous. We see it especially in her daughter, Tammy Provost, a very accomplished professional rider and trainer, who accepted the award.

Originally from Bronxville, New York, Wendy’s grandfather introduced her to horses and got her started riding at the local riding club. Through the years she trained with Gordon Wright and George Morris, who helped her become a fantastic rider and horsewoman. She had a beautiful ability to engage the horse so it was riding relaxed, straighter, rounder and in front of the leg after only a few minutes in the tack, and that skill translated wonderfully to instruction.

For decades she operated Meadow View Farm in Indiana, where she showed her dedication working from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. and it showed. Her students adored her, and her work ethic and care of the horses became theirs. She was a horsewoman who brought up horsemen and women.

Her program was built around those horsemanship values and they translated into the show ring. Her riders were and are top-notch, qualifying for and placing at the Medal and Maclay Finals. In 1988, her daughter Tammy won the USET Finals—truly an incredible moment for the entire family. As we all know, today she continues to excel as one of the top professionals in the country.

Wendy was as comfortable at the Maclay Finals as she was at the local Indiana Horse Show Association level, and she ardently supported competition at all levels. When we talk about a well-rounded horseperson, Wendy’s passion and commitment for the horse and this sport provide an example to us all.

Since passing in 2008, she is missed every day in the stable and at the ring. She was one of the greats and we are pleased to honor her memory with this award.

"I am very proud to accept this award on behalf of my mother," said Tammy Provost. "I know she would be honored to receive this award. Her emphasis on horsemanship lead to many of her riders having a lifelong passion for horses."

Contemporary Award Recipient: Hugh Kincannon

Hugh Kincannon. Photo Phelps Media Group.

Hugh Kincannon is well-known name in Zone 5, but his contributions to our sport span decades and nations.

He is perhaps best known for his renowned management of some of the largest competitions in the country including the first five years of the CP National Horse Show, held in Lexington, Kentucky; the Washington International Horse Show; the US Pony Finals; the American Jumping Classic and the Kentucky spring and summer horse shows to name a few.

Hugh also co-managed show jumping with David Distler for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which brought together top equestrian talent from around the world. He has managed each of the USHJA International Hunter Derby and Pre-Green Championships since they were first held. His understanding of horsemanship, great competition and how to bring those two things together for the best horse show experience is exceptional.

In addition to managing horse shows year-round, he provides his expertise to sport governance, serving on the USHJA Competition Standards Committee currently, as well as serving USHJA Zone 5 members as part of the USHJA Zone 5 Hunter Committee previously.

But his reach in the sport and in our zone isn’t just through competition management and governance. Hugh got his start in the industry riding when he was 18 years old. Early on he rode and trained with Hungarian trainer Gabor Foltenyi. In 1976, he and his wife Cheryl made the move to Ohio where they ran Ridgewood Stables for nearly 30 years. Hugh has owned some top horses throughout his career: Aspen Glow, Good Time Charlie, The Surrealist and many more.

Today, Hugh continues to manage top horse shows here in Kentucky through Kentucky Horse Shows LLC, and we are pleased to recognize his indelible mark on our zone and sport with the Zone 5 Horseman of the Year Award.

"Hugh has done so much for the industry. He not only is a great show manager but he is a fan of the sport," said JP Bordeleau, accepting the award on Hugh's behalf. "He's retired but I can guarantee you he's watching right now!"

USHJA Zone 5 Chairperson Diane Carney presented the awards.

"The USHJA Zone 5 Committee and the Midwest professionals are grateful for the time and energy each of these recipients have invested for decades into riders and our sport," commented Carney. "We thank you for your commitment to the sport."

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