Kristen Vanderveen Claims Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady title

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U.S. show jumping athlete Kristen Vanderveen claimed the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider title on Saturday, February 23, during week seven of the 12-week Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

Vanderveen’s consistent finishes riding Bull Run’s Risen in the $137,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 7 on Thursday and Saturday night’s $410,000 Lugano Diamonds CSI5* Grand Prix in front of a packed house helped her secure the Leading Lady title.

“Winning the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award during a CSI5* is very rewarding, and acknowledges the hard work and commitment to excellence that is put in by everyone on my team,” said Vanderveen, who hails from St. Charles, IL. “One of things that makes our sport so unique is that women and men compete equally. I respect what women like Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Beezie Madden, and Margie Engle, who are longtime winners of this award, have accomplished. I hope to soon be at the very top of the international rankings myself.”

Throughout WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award, given in memory of fellow realtor and horseman Dale Lawler, is presented weekly to the high-score female rider based on performances in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series and grand prix events. During the 12th and final week of competition, the Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award will be presented to the female rider who accumulates the most points throughout the season. So far this season, Lillie Keenan, Jessica Springsteen, and Adrienne Sternlicht of the United States, as well as Great Britain’s Amanda Derbyshire and Canada’s Vanessa Mannix, have won the weekly award and are now joined by Vanderveen in contending for the overall title.

A sponsor and dedicated supporter of horse sport at WEF for many years, 2020 marks Jolicoeur’s 10th season presenting the weekly Leading Lady Rider Award. A former competitor herself, Jolicoeur enjoyed a successful international show jumping career before becoming Florida’s number one Douglas Elliman real estate broker for 2018.