LEXINGTON, Ken. — The United States Equestrian Federation has announced that California’s Nancy Nathanson will receive the coveted USEF Medal of Honor for her outstanding service to horses and equestrian sports.

Nathanson, of Santa Ynez, has contributed more than a quarter of a century as a trainer and breeder of the Andalusian/Lusitano breed. She also has served as a highly respected multi-breed show secretary, and her resume includes serving in that capacity at driving competitions, Paso Fino, Andalusian, and Friesian shows. She was a show secretary nine times for the International Friesian Show Horse Association World Championships.

Her most recent post has been as the Executive Director of the International Friesian Show Horse Association and she is an advisory member of the USEF Friesian Committee.

For 2011, three individuals will receive USEF Pegasus Medals of Honor, to be presented during the Pegasus Awards gala on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Other recipients will include Pennsylvania’s Raymond Francis, who has left his mark on the hunter world as a trainer, judge, and exhibitor, and Marvin McCabe, who has shown horses for 58 years and shows little sign of slowing down at age 70.