The Horse Stars Hall of Fame honors the contributions of amazing horses by sharing the stories of their athletic and humanitarian feats. It was established by the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) in 2013 to celebrate the extraordinary talent of horses and their magical and powerful bond with people.
The USEF inducts the horses recognized annually as “Horses of Honor” for their stellar athletic performances. The EQUUS Foundation inducts horses who have had an inspirational impact on the public as companions, teachers and healers.
The 2023 Horse Stars Hall of Fame inductees are Big Deuce, Cannon Creek, Johnie Bravo, Lafitte De Muze, Off The Record, Orafina, Paxton Abbey, Puzzle, Quiana, Salvino, and Winston.
“On behalf of the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation, we wish to recognize the contributions of Christina Keim in authoring the profiles of the 2023 inductees and to the many authors and photographers who have contributed over the years,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.
“The Horse Stars Hall of Fame is a wonderful way to demonstrate the staying power of horses — as athletes, companions, teachers and healers — and their unique abilities to move us through a spectrum of experiences from thrill and exhilaration to pure joy.”
“By sharing the stories of these amazing horses, we hope to build a more informed and compassionate America that values the impact of horses in our lives.”
EQUUS Foundation Inductees
(1995- )
Brook Hill Farm
He may hate to be groomed. He may occasionally let both himself and his friends out of their stalls. He hates—HATES—to be cold. And he may take a little while to warm up to new people. But time and again, Big Deuce has proven that for those who can see through his quirks, he is a devoted, loving goofball who enjoys a refreshing bath in nice weather. In return for their patience, Deuce has often been the teacher who has shown “his people” how to overcome life’s obstacles. READ MORE →
(2015- )
Riley Kosirog
On a late summer evening when Johnie Bravo was just 4 years old, his owner Riley Kosirog took him for a leisurely trail ride near their home outside of Phoenix, Arizona. “John”, who had only been under saddle for two months, seemed to be enjoying himself. But at the edge of a dry creek bed, John suddenly planted all four feet. Just a few seconds later, a thick, four-foot-long rattlesnake emerged from behind a boulder only a few feet away from where they stood. While Kosirog stared in shock, her mount calmly tracked the snake with his ears. As soon as the reptile had passed, John let out a sigh and continued on the trail toward home. Since that day, John has alerted Kosirog to enough snakes and other hazards that she trusts her horse implicitly. READ MORE →
(2011- )
Cheryl Olsten
Even before 8-year-old Lafitte De Muze arrived in the United States in the fall of 2017, his owner Cheryl Olsten had a premonition of the gelding’s future competitive success in the hunter ring with trainer Amanda Steege. In fact, it was partially Lafitte’s charisma that inspired Olsten to make a bold move herself. Beginning in 2018, Olsten has donated all of Lafitte’s prize money–over $350,000 as of 2023–to support the EQUUS Foundation’s mission to help horses at risk of suffering abuse or neglect. “And what a great “ride” it’s been,” said Olsten. “A win for Lafitte is a win for horses in need.” READ MORE →
(1998- )
Riding To the Top Therapeutic Riding Center
The state of Maine might not be known for producing elite sport horses, but should you visit most any stable there and mention the name “Paxton Abbey”, you will receive a knowing look and a smile. Perhaps one of the most famous equine athletes to call the state her lifelong home, Paxton (or just plain “Pax” to her close friends) enjoyed a storied career in both eventing and para dressage with her owner/breeder, Mary Jordan. But perhaps her most significant role has been as a healer, first at Carlisle Academy in Lyman, Maine, and since 2017, Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT) in Windham, Maine. READ MORE →
(2002- )
Anita McGill Gerami
For many visitors to New York City’s storied Central Park, a leisurely carriage tour is the perfect way to take in the area’s sights and learn about its rich history. With his sharply turned-out driver, polished carriage, and gleaming coat, Puzzle became an unofficial Central Park Ambassador. Puzzle was a stand-out among the members of the urban carriage horses who annually provide both tourists and city residents with hundreds of thousands of human-equine interactions. READ MORE →
(2011- )
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center
In his four years of equine employment at BraveHearts, Winston has not only become one of the most requested mounts of the program’s 50-horse herd, he has earned Special Olympic gold medals, ridden through Chicago, Washington DC, and New York City to promote veteran suicide prevention, and served as equine ambassador at countless veteran’s events. Whether his rider is a small child with cerebral palsy, or a veteran with PTSD, Winston brings his inner calm, steady steps and gentle, soft energy to every interaction. READ MORE →
United States Equestrian Federation Inductees
(2011- )
The Wheeler Family
Cannon Creek may only have made his international hunter derby debut in 2021, but the strapping 17.1 hand Holsteiner quickly made his mark on the sport. After earning six championship rosettes at derbies held at prestigious shows up and down the east coast in 2022 and capturing back-to-back wins at the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships in Kentucky, Cannon Creek has proven to be one of the most formidable horses in the high performance hunter division today. In recognition of his success and with the enthusiastic support of his fans, Cannon Creek was named the 2022 US Equestrian Federation National Horse of the Year. READ MORE →
(2009- )
Off the Record Syndicate
With three white socks, a broad blaze and a bright bay coat, Off the Record has always been a stunner. However, when U.S. Olympic eventer Will Coleman first met the talented Irish Sport Horse as a 4-year-old, “Timmy” had quite the penchant for roguish behavior; Coleman describes the gelding as a “tough nugget” during his early years. But as he matured, those same qualities helped Timmy develop into a fierce competitor, consistently displaying the perfect blend of athleticism, courage and finesse. With a growing list of top finishes at elite events both here and abroad—and a reputation for reliably delivering solid results in all three phases — it is no wonder that Off the Record was recognized by the U.S. Equestrian Federation as a 2022 International Horse of Honor. READ MORE →
(2012- )
Kent Farrington, LLC
With numerous top finishes at elite show jumping competitions from coast to coast, in just two years the elegant KWPN mare Orafina has made a rapid rise to the top of the sport. In 2022, “Finny” and her rider, US Olympian Kent Farrington, were virtually untouchable. The pair earned twelve first place finishes at international Grands Prix in both the U.S. and Canada, along with several other podium placings. In recognition of her consistent high level of performance, Orafina was recognized by the USEF as a 2022 International Horse of Honor at its annual Pegasus Awards banquet. READ MORE →
(2014- )
Dr. Kate Shoemaker
Late in 2021, U.S. Paralympian Kate Shoemaker took her first ride on an elegant young Rheinlander mare named Quiana. And as equestrians say, it was love at first ride. “She felt so special underneath me, and listening and so forgiving,” said Shoemaker about her first ride on Quiana, in a post shared on the U.S. Dressage Federation Facebook page. Quiana was previously a Bundeschampionat finalist and two-time World Young Horse Championship finalist with Nicole Wego-Engelmeyer of Germany, and Shoemaker worked with Nicole at Hof Kasselmann as she got to know her new horse. Shoemaker began riding Quiana (known simply as “Q” to her friends) in December 2021, and they made their international debut together only a few months later. READ MORE →
(2007- )
Betsy Juliano
Since their partnership began in 2015, Adrienne Lyle and the Hanoverian stallion Salvino have become one of the most dominant American pairs in the sport of dressage. They were part of the silver-medal winning U.S. teams at both the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, as well as at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Most recently, Salvino and Lyle were the top ranked U.S. pair at the 2022 FEI Dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark, and they remain the only Americans in the entire top 20 of the FEI World Dressage Rankings. READ MORE →
Visit the Horse Stars Hall of Fame here
ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America’s horses from peril and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.
ABOUT THE US EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION: Established in 1917, the United States Equestrian Federation (US Equestrian), the governing body of equestrian sport in the United States, is dedicated bringing the joy of horse sports to as many people as possible. Learn more about the US Equestrian at www.usequestrian.org/
View release and photos online here
Contact: Lynn Coakley
mail@equusfoundation.org
203-259-1550