Gladstone, NJ - January 26, 1998

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) awarded Eventing rider David O'Connor of The Plains, VA the Whitney Stone Cup for achieving a distinguished record in international competition while serving as a fine ambassador for the USET and equestrian sports.

During 1997, O'Connor won the Badminton CCI four star Event in England and was named male Athlete of the Month for May by the U.S. Olympic Committee; the first time an equestrian athlete has been so honored. O'Connor was alternate on the Eventing squad at the 1988 Olympic Games and was a member of the USET's Silver Medal team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Additionally, O'Connor was named Rider of the Year by the U.S. Combined Training Association in 1996.

A five time winner of the USET's Spring or Fall Championship, and one of only three riders to win both the Spring and Fall Championships in the same year, he was a member of the USET squad at the 1990 and 1994 World Equestrian Games. He currently serves as chairman of the USET Eventing Active Rider's Committee and Chairman of the AHSA Eventing Committee.

Since 1980 the following have been awarded the Whitney Stone Cup for their consistent excellence in international competition, and for their standards of sportsmanlike conduct and contributions as ambassadors for the sport and for the USET: 1980 Michael Matz, 1981 James C. Wofford, 1982 Norman Dello Joio, 1983 Melanie Smith, 1984 Corole Grant, 1985 Joe Fargis, 1986 Conrad Homfeld, 1987 Katie Prudent, 1988 Bruce Davidson, 1989 Greg Best, 1990 Bill Long, 1991 Hap Hansen, 1992 Lana Wright, 1993 Carol Lavell, 1994 J. Michael Plumb, 1995 Robert Dover, 1996 Anne Kursinski, and 1997 Leslie Howard.