Margie Engle Earns Leading Lady Rider Title at WEF

After 12 weeks of consistent show jumping performances, U.S. Olympian Margie Engle was presented with the Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award on Saturday, March 31, during the final week of the 2018 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL.

Throughout WEF, the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Award was presented weekly to the high-score female rider based on performances in the weekly WEF Challenge Cup Series and grand prix events. Engle was presented with the honor twice, while other recipients included Georgina Bloomberg (USA), Amanda Derbyshire (GBR), Danielle Goldstein (ISR), Amber Harte (USA), Beezie Madden (USA), Emily Mason (GBR), Emily Moffitt (GBR), and Jessica Springsteen (USA).

“I would like to thank Martha for offering such a great award,” said Engle, who has won many of the Martha Jolicoeur Leading Lady Rider Awards in the eight years it has been offered, but never claimed the overall title. “It’s a great honor to win this with all the top women riders in the world here at WEF. What I like about our sport is that men and women compete equally, but it is nice to have a presentation for the women who ride. And, Martha does a superb job offering original prizes. I had my first facial this season thanks to this award!”

For her overall title, Engle was presented with a custom-built show jumping fence before also winning the apex class of the season in the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* later in the evening. Both honors came on her 60th birthday.

“It’s a great honor to win the overall title and a testament to my horses stepping up to the plate,” continued Engle. “I always want to thank my equine partners. The ones that helped me to get here were my longtime partners Indigo, Royce, and the new up and coming one Dicas. It’s because of them, all their connections, vets, caretakers, owners, and especially my husband that this is all possible.

“It’s nice to see an award that rewards consistency,” continued Engle. “But, this is made even more special because I came down with mono during the middle of the season and was out for two weeks.”

Highlighting Engle’s consistency throughout the WEF season, she placed third in the $132,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup Round 5, as well as top-ten finishes in both the $75,000 Rosenbaum PLLC Grand Prix and $35,000 Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup during week one.

A sponsor and steadfast supporter of horse sport at the Winter Equestrian Festival since 2010, Martha W. Jolicoeur is a leading South Florida real estate broker and part of the elite Douglas Elliman Real Estate Sports and Entertainment division. Based in Wellington and a rider herself, Jolicoeur specializes in both residential and farm properties that fit her clients’ lifestyles.

Martha Jolicoeur Overall Leading Lady Rider Award – A History of Winners:

2017 – Laura Chapot (USA)
2016 – Tiffany Foster (CAN)
2015 – Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER)
2014 – Lauren Hough (USA)
2013 – Reed Kessler (USA)
2012 – Beezie Madden (USA)
2011 – Beezie Madden (USA)