January 9, 2003 - David J. O'Connor of The Plains, VA, has been named as the recipient of the 2002 USA Equestrian Sportsmanship Award. The Walter B. Devereux Trophy will be presented to him at the Pegasus Dinner, January 17, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington, KY, as part of the USA Equestrian Annual Meeting.

The USA Equestrian Executive Committee and USA Equestrian Affiliated National Association Presidents and Executive Directors on the USA Equestrian Board, submit nominations for the recipient of the Devereux Award. The nominees are returned to the Executive Committee and voted on by secret ballot.

The USA Equestrian Sportsmanship Award is named for Walter B. Devereux II, who served the AHSA for many years as an officer and director during the 1960's and 1970's. O'Connor will join other distinguished horsemen and horsewomen who have been recipients of the award, including Ellin Dixon Miller, John Fritz, Judith Werner, Diana Firestone, Victor Hugo-Vidal and William Munford.