Governing Body Unveils 2023’s Equestrian of the Year, Take a Look at the Remarkable Journey of This Young Prodigy

High school junior Marin McKee, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a member of the class of 2022, committed to the University of Kentucky. Swimming for the Tide Swim Team and attending Norfolk Academy, McKee excelled primarily in sprint freestyle. Despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus in March 2020, her overall momentum remained strong. After announcing her commitment in late October, McKee showcased her talent at the December NOVA Sr Holiday Champs, setting personal best times in the 50 and 200 freestyles.

Additionally, McKee emerged as a good leader in the equestrian community beyond her prowess in the arena. Making her mark in the equestrian realm, she is a jack of all trades. She had very key positions like the AHA Region Five youth director from 2020 to 2023, and vice president for the AHA youth board from 2021 to 2023. However, more recently, she has been awarded by the US Equestrian for her outstanding contributions.

Championing equine sciences and youth advocacy – McKee strength all the way

McKee, a Rocky Mountain College student, focuses on equine sciences, majoring in pre-veterinary studies with a nutrition and rehabilitation emphasis while minoring in equine management. Actively involved in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Team, she aspires to be a certified veterinary technician and run an equine facility post-graduation. Recently, US Equestrian shared an intriguing post on Instagram about Marin. The caption reads, ‘Marin McKee has been named our 2023 #USEquestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year!’

Furthermore, they asserted that she is a registered and active participant in AHA. She is exceptional in all the disciplines, including hunter seat equitation, showmanship, sport horse under saddle, ranch horse riding, Western horsemanship, and Western pleasure classes. Notably, her record-breaking accomplishments for 2023 comprise wins at the IEAHC Memorial Day Classic among others and the fact that she finished Top-10 on six occasions at the AHA Youth/Mid-Summer National Championship show. Further, McKee’s influence transcended competition in that she was the AHA Region 5 Youth Director and the AHA Youth Board, vice president, fighting for mental health awareness movements in the equine world.

2024 US equestrian annual meeting

The US Equestrian also announced the winners of the latest award for lifetime achievement. Cecile Hetzel Dunn hailing from Weirsdale, Fla., for her lifetime devotion to horses beginning in her youth. Dunn’s love for equestrianism did not end just with riding; she ventured into teaching, officiating, and academia.

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The year 2024 US Equestrian Annual Meeting Dinner Pegasus Awards will honour both Dunn and McKee for their significant effort towards the equine community of the US.

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