Her article was selected as the top news article in the Single News Article category from "stacks of submissions from across the country," according to USEF Public Relations Manager Sarah Lane. "The very best samples of equine and equestrian coverage rose to the top and were honored by the USEF in the Pegasus Awards for Media." The awards were presented at the USEF Annual Meeting in Cincinnatti, OH January 12.
This is the first year Pegasus awards were given to the media. USEF President David O'Connor said, "When you make your endeavors with horses a top priority, an excitement for life naturally follows… an excitement that truly has the power to transform—from the inside out. It's this same excitement for horses and for life that inspires us to reach out and share the value of equestrian sport with those around us. That's why we begin our week in celebration of those who spend their time helping us share these gifts with millions of readers and viewers across the nation. These are the writers, reporters, editors, producers, photographers, videographers, and publishers who make it their mission to share the joy of equestrian sport.
Bit of History
"This day is a bit of history in the making though. For the first time, we've added the honor of the Pegasus to these media awards, making this the inaugural presentation of the Pegasus Awards for Media. Simply put, the Pegasus awards are the most prestigious awards the USEF offers. They're given only to the very best in our sport and we felt it was time to extend our highest honor to the very best in the media."
Suzanne, formerly President and Publisher of the Lansdale, PA Reporter, received a Pegasus statue and plaque from USEF President David O'Connor at the Keynote Address Luncheon of the 2006 USEF Annual Meeting.
Underdog
"The story of the "underdog" horse that seems to come out of nowhere to capture a title and the hearts of all who see him compete is a regular favorite in equestrian circles," O'Connor said in introducing the award. "Such is our winning story in the single news article category. Our winning author carefully crafts her story, drawing us into the sport of endurance from the first sentence on. Throughout her tale, she details the unlikely triumph of a recent high-school graduate on a horse found (at New Holland auction) for a few hundred dollars. While the goal was simply to finish one of the most respected endurance competitions in the country, the subjects of this story came out as the unpredicted winners. A big congratulations for a job well done to Suzanne Bush, for her news article, "Eighteen-Year-Old on $700 Horse Beats the Greats at Old Dominion," published in Pennsylvania Equestrian."
Suzanne, a contributor to Pennsylvania Equestrian since 2004 and occasional guest co-editor, twice won the Claudia Mejak Memorial Award in the Print Media Category from the US Equestrian Foundation. During her tenure at the Reporter, the newspaper was twice honored as Pennsylvania's Newspaper of the Year. She has published a book for young adult readers, heads the Pennsylvania Equine Foundation, and lives in Gwynned Valley with her husband, Guy, and her horse Burt boarded nearby. To read Suzanne's article click here.
Chicken Soup
Another honor for Pennsylvania Equestrian: Editor and Publisher Stephanie Shertzer Lawson's article about disabled horse owner Jean King and her Nokota horse, Bright Cloud, was selected for inclusion in the sequel to the national bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul. The article won first place in the American Horse Publications annual awards program after it was published in 2004, and was recommended by AHP members for inclusion in the new book, Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul II. It was one of several dozen stories selected from more than 1,000 submissions. The new book will be released nationally on March 7.
