NEWS: Andrew and Ruthie Awarded Governor's Cup from USEA

USEA Appreciation Awards - Governors' Cups

The USEA Governors' Cups are presented annually to the volunteers who form the backbone of eventing. These are individuals who labor tirelessly behind the scenes at the many jobs associated with the running of the sport.

Andrew and Ruthie Harbison

Danny Thomas once said, "Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." He could have written these words about Andrew and Ruthie Harbison, popular Florida riders, trainers, and farm owners who were honored for what they do for the sport in a non-traditional, "outside the box" manner.

In early 2007 when Kim Meier was seriously injured in a schooling accident, Ruthie stepped in and mobilized the scores of people who wanted to help, but didn't know how to go about it. She organized an on-line auction on the Chronicle of the Horse Bulletin Board, secured donations of clinics and lessons from upper level riders, stallion services from several breeders, and contributions of scores of items that raised over $40,000 to help offset Kim's expenses.

Mere months later when Ralph Hill suffered a catastrophic accident, Team Harbison once more sprang into action. Andrew drove endless hours back and forth from Georgia to Ocala transporting Ralph's horses and belongings, taking many of those horses to the Harbison's own Suwannee farm until arrangements for their future could be made. He was also a constant presence at the hospital during Ralph's early critical days. Ruthie organized the Ralph Hill Care Pages and helped muster bracelets and tee shirts to defray some of the huge medical expenses incurred. Now with Ralph thankfully on the road to recovery, Andrew and Ruthie are still at his side helping to bridge the gap between memory and the present.