The Pioneer Award - Peggy McElveen

Peggy was honored with the Pioneer Award at IHSA Nationals last week. This is the piece I wrote about Peggy and the award for the IHSA program.

The Pioneer Award is not awarded every year, it is only awarded when a deserving recipient rises above the hundreds of volunteers who make up the IHSA. This year the pioneer award winner has worked tirelessly for IHSA, locally, regionally and nationally. Peggy McElveen’s service to equestrians in college is outstanding. Beginning as the coach for the North Carolina State University and Peace College IHSA teams Peggy has been a leader for IHSA and its participants.

Peggy came to St. Andrews University (formerly St. Andrews Presbyterian College) in 2000 to serve as its Equestrian Program Director. Her first task was to move the equestrian center from the rented 17 acres into a brand new facility. Convincing local land owners to sell land that was not even on the market was the first of many challenges. To purchase the initial 100 acres she worked with several families including one who had owned their land for 100s of years. Next was the construction of a world class equestrian center including a covered arena which would withstand hurricane force winds – a first for Scotland County. The beautiful facility lacked vital items such as water buckets, office furniture and saddle racks. Peggy went undaunted out into the community to raise money and solicit donations. The friends she made along the way have loyally supported St. Andrews and the equestrian community. Within a couple of years Peggy added another 200 acres, additional stalls and arena space to an already impressive facility.

This facility has enabled St. Andrews to host numerous IHSA, American National Riding Commission (ANRC), Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) events and international caliber clinicians including Lynn Palm, Dorothy Morkis, Jane Savoie, Laurie Renker and Bernie Trauig. Regular season shows, ANRC Equitrails, IHSA Regionals and Semi-Finals, invitational Tournament of Champions, Path International Regional Conferences and workshops, and ANRC and IDA National Championships have all found an excellent venue at St. Andrews. Through these events the equestrian facility has benefitted equestrians not just from St. Andrews but from across the United States and Canada.

Peggy is the organizer of these 2012 IHSA National Championships, an event that requires incredible event management, social and organizational skills. The planning started two years ago and has been an on-going process centered around IHSA ideals and Southern culture. Peggy has been the driving force behind this week’s events working tirelessly to lead the many volunteers to excel at their assigned duties.

2012 St. Andrews graduate, Rob Jacobs who is now a hunter seat instructor at St. Andrews has this to say about Peggy’s contribution. “Peggy enjoys investing in students and seeing them grow as riders and horsemen. Peggy has been a huge supporter and has played a large role in the IHSA's continued success.”

Peggy’s service is not limited to St. Andrews and the events it hosts. She is a dedicated member of several committees and boards serving the equestrian community including service for ANRC, IHSA, the United States Equestrian Federation, the United States Hunter Jumper Association, and the North Carolina Horse Council.

Peggy’s work has always involved the betterment of others, whether it be in the classroom, the competitive arena, event management, staff development, job placement for students and graduates or promoting the goals of a national organization. As one of her faculty colleagues said recently, “she holds herself, her staff, and students to the highest levels of excellence.” Excellence is a theme that resonates around Peggy and one that she expects from those that work with her in any capacity. Rob Jacobs again, “Peggy's passion for seeing the students succeed has rubbed off on me and I now have developed a passion for watching the students grow and learn some of the important lessons that were taught to me.“ Peggy was recognized in 2011 by the United States Hunter Jumper Association as Instructor of the Year.

Peggy McElveen is an individual who inspires, educates and serves as a role model for excellence. Her service to St. Andrews University, the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and the greater equestrian community has impacted and changed numerous lives for the better.