Traverse City, Mich. – August 16, 2021 – On Saturday, August 15, the annual M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award was presented to Irish athlete Paul O’Shea during the sixth week of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) prior to the start of the $137,000 CaptiveOne Advisors Grand Prix CSI3*.
O’Shea was part of the nine-horse jump-off during the highlight event with Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu, where he eventually placed third. Prior to the competition, O’Shea was presented with the M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award by 2019 award winner Ali Wolff. M. Michael Meller of MMM Horseman presents the Style Award each year to the international athlete who displays an exemplary style of riding as well as sportsmanlike conduct in and out of the ring in the FEI Jumping Division – someone who exemplifies what it means to be a true role model for our industry.
“It’s very nice, I feel very flattered to receive the award,” expressed O’Shea. “I have a lot of things in my own riding that I am still working on, so to earn the award at this point is very special. I was quite surprised and it’s an honor.”
Meller was thrilled for O’Shea to receive the Style Award on Sunday, saying, “Paul is known for his ability to produce world-class horses. He is a true horseman in every sense of the word, both in and out of the ring. Paul has a natural ability to bring out the best in every horse he rides and he is a consummate gentleman to every person he meets. Paul is an athlete that we should all admire and learn from, and it is wonderful to add him to the roster of Style Award winners.”
The team at MMM Horseman and QBS Equestrian is now gearing up for the 2021 fall show season. The next M. Michael Meller Style of Riding Award will be presented during the American Gold Cup in Traverse City in September. For more information about the Style Award, MMM Horseman or QBS Equestrian please visit www.mmm-horseman.com.
