ARP Awards:
- “Living Courageously” Sportsmanship Award
- The Jessie Aikman Memorial Scholarship
- Adult Rider Volunteer Awards
- Win Some Wine Some Awards
- Vintage Vine Award
“Living Courageously” Sportsmanship Award
The “Living Courageously” sportsmanship award honors the memory of Devyn Merritt Anderson and Jessica Halliday, two beloved Area 1 Adult Rider Program (ARP) members who lost their courageous battles with cancer in 2021.
Devyn and Jessica exemplified resilience and generosity of spirit. Throughout their battles, they continued to support their eventing friends and family with unwavering positivity, often cheering others on with smiles that lifted everyone around them.
Award Selection Criteria
This annual award recognizes an active Area 1 ARP member and rider who embodies Devyn and Jessica’s remarkable spirit by demonstrating:
- Support of the eventing community with fairness, integrity, humility, and kindness—regardless of competition results or personal challenges
- Dedication to giving back through volunteering at events, cheering on fellow riders, and actively supporting others’ success
- Grace under pressure, maintaining positivity and encouragement for others even when facing their own difficulties
Award Details
Presentation: Annual award presented at the Area 1 Annual Meeting
Prize: $200 reimbursement from participation in a USEA Area 1 sanctioned event or sponsored clinic and a commemorative prize.
How to Nominate
We welcome nominations from the eventing community. To nominate a deserving rider, please email adultriders@area1usea.org with:
- Name of your nominee
- Detailed explanation of why they exemplify the “Living Courageously” spirit
- Specific examples of their sportsmanship, community support, and positive impact
Help us celebrate those who inspire others and embody the legacy of courage, kindness, and community that Devyn and Jessica left behind.
Past winners:
2021 Katy Raynor
2022 McKenzie Seely
2023 Sue Berrill
2024 Alison Eastman-Lawler
The Jessie Aikman Memorial Scholarship
In Memory of Jessie Aikman (1957-2023)
The Jessie Aikman Memorial Scholarship honors the life and spirit of Jessie Aikman, an extraordinary equestrian who embodied determination, courage, and an unwavering passion for horses. Jessie’s journey serves as an inspiration to adult riders everywhere—she returned to competitive eventing in her mid fifties after a life-changing trail ride in Colorado, and despite battling rheumatoid arthritis for decades, she pursued her childhood dreams with remarkable dedication and joy.
Known in the eventing community for her kindness, sass, and “stick-to-itiveness” Jessie was more than a competitor. She was a devoted teammate who celebrated everyone’s success, a mentor who guided with a firm but gentle hand, and a friend who reminded us all that “Every day is a great one when you’re with a horse!” Her light, love, and infectious enthusiasm touched countless lives within the Area I eventing community.
Jessie tragically passed away on September 3, 2023, from injuries sustained while competing at a USEA-recognized event—doing what she loved most.
Scholarship Details
Award Amount: $225, paid as a reimbursement for an educational activity
Purpose: To support an educational activity related to eventing (such as clinics, lessons, educational seminars, or training opportunities)
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Active member of the USEA Area I Adult Rider Program
- Age 60 or older at the time of application
- Currently competing at the USEA recognized Starter or Beginner Novice level
- Has never competed above the Novice level
- Demonstrates the spirit of determination and love for the sport that Jessie exemplified
Application Process
Application and Nomination Process: Riders may apply directly or be nominated by fellow Area I Adult Rider Program members, trainers, or barn family.
For Self-Applications:
Submit the following materials:
- A brief essay describing:
- Your equestrian journey and what inspired you to pursue eventing
- How you plan to use the scholarship funds for your educational development
- What Jessie’s story means to you as an adult rider
- Proof of current USEA membership and Area I Adult Rider Program participation
- Competition record showing current level
For Nominations:
Submit the following materials:
Nominator’s statement describing:
- Why this rider embodies Jessie’s spirit of determination and love for the sport
- The nominee’s contributions to the Area I eventing community
- How this scholarship would benefit the nominee’s continued growth
- Nominee’s contact information and confirmation of eligibility requirements
- Brief statement from the nominee (if willing) about their educational goals
Submission Deadline: [To be determined] Submit applications to: [Contact information to be determined]
Selection Criteria
The scholarship recipient will be selected based on:
- Embodiment of Jessie’s spirit: determination, dedication, and joy in the sport
- Commitment to continuous learning and improvement
- Active participation in the Area I eventing community
- Clear plan for using the funds in educational opportunities
“Every day is a great one when you’re with a horse” – Jessie Aikman
This scholarship is awarded annually in loving memory of Jessie Aikman, whose
courage, humor, and boundless enthusiasm continue to inspire riders to pursue their
dreams at any age.
Adult Rider Volunteer Awards
Designed to recognize the efforts of volunteers for Area 1 events that truly help keep our events running. The top three volunteers for the season will receive prizes. Any volunteer activity that supports a sanctioned event counts towards the year end awards (set up, day of, tear down, etc). For those events using the USEA volunteer program app hours will be automatically tracked. For those events not using the app, there is a form on the Area 1 ARP section of the website that can be used for tracking and getting event personnel sign off. Completed forms and any questions about this program can be sent to useaarea1vol@gmail.com
Win Some Wine Some Awards
If you have ever had an event not quite go your way this award program could make you feel a bit better.
The award will be offered at each Area 1 recognized event, for those ARP members who did not quite have the go they wanted. The prize is a travel drink tumbler allowing you to have some wine (or beverage of choice) while you whine about what went wrong.
At each event there will be 3-4 tumblers up for grabs: highest score overall, highest BN-N, highest T-P, highest I-A or FEI. Limit to one per season. Scores must be numerical. Example: Sad Sally who went Novice has a final score of 112.5, which is the highest numerical score of the event. She wins for the highest overall; the second highest score in BN or N would win for those divisions, etc.
Prizes will be sent via mail to recipients. Winner’s names will only be announced collectively at the end of year, but feel free to post pictures if you receive one.
Vintage Vine Award
A year end award sponsored by Katie Murphy and Roger Demers. Open to those 60 and older. A nice bottle of wine presented to the most mature (by age) ARP member who enters and completes an Area 1 Recognized Event during the year at any level.
