Patti Scialfa Springsteen and Zacharie Vinios Honored With 2025 R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award by USET Foundation

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation presented the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award to Patti Scialfa Springsteen and Zacharie Vinios at its Gold Medal Club reception held on January 17, 2025, at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida.

The honor pays homage to the late Mr. Duchossois by annually recognizing a member or members of the USET Foundation Board of Trustees who embody his leadership, generosity, and outstanding character. His life was celebrated by becoming the first recipient of the prestigious award at its inception in 2015.

Scialfa Springsteen of Colts Neck, New Jersey, and Vinios of Wellington, Florida, have made outstanding contributions to the USET Foundation’s philanthropic efforts since joining the Board of Trustees. Their distinguished service has significantly and positively impacted the USET Foundation’s mission of supporting athletes, promoting international excellence, and building for the future.

Patti Scialfa Springsteen

A renowned singer and songwriter, Scialfa Springsteen’s involvement in high performance equestrian sport began by supporting the career of her daughter, Olympic jumping team silver medalist Jessica Springsteen. Springsteen’s achievements in US Equestrian (USEF) High Performance Pathway Programs, such as the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), helped position her for international success and led to selection to numerous Nations Cup teams, and eventual selection to the U.S. Olympic Jumping Team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games with Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.

“I am deeply grateful to the USET Foundation for this recognition,” said Scialfa Springsteen. “To receive this award in memory of R. Bruce Duchossois, a remarkable horseperson and steward of the sport, is truly humbling, and I sincerely appreciate it.”

Since joining the USET Foundation Board of Trustees in 2010, Scialfa Springsteen has remained committed to supporting the growth and success of U.S. equestrian athletes on the global stage. Her involvement has been instrumental in raising significant funds for USEF high performance programs as a supporter of campaigns including “Pathway to the Podium,” and through USET Foundation benefit galas such as “Rockin’ Rio” (2016), “Take Me to Tokyo” (2020), and “Victory in Versailles” (2024). She generously co-chaired all three fundraising events with her husband, Bruce Springsteen. These endeavors have raised nearly $4 million for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, helping the U.S. to maintain international prominence.

“Supporting high performance equestrian sport is a family affair, and it has been a privilege to give back to a community that has brought us so much joy over the years,” Scialfa Springsteen added. “Through our daughter, we’ve seen firsthand the dedication and effort required to progress along the high performance pathway and compete at the highest level.

“The USET Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring our U.S. equestrian teams and athletes have the training and resources they need to sustain excellence. As a member of the USET Foundation Board of Trustees, I’m committed to helping ensure the organization thrives and continues to serve as a valuable resource,” she continued.

Beyond her equestrian efforts, Scialfa Springsteen’s passion for social issues is reflected in her work as an executive producer for the Emmy-winning documentary Shelter Me: Soul Awakened, which addresses the topic of reducing recidivism in the prison system. Through her various endeavors, Scialfa Springsteen remains a steadfast supporter of both high performance U.S. equestrian sport and meaningful social causes.

Zacharie Vinios

Vinios’ love for horses was ignited at a young age. She rode ponies in her backyard for hours and participated in local 4-H shows before taking a break from riding to raise her children. Her daughter Christina shared her passion for horses, winning the U.S. Small Tour Championship dressage title in 2015 with her own Folkestone OLD. That same year, Vinios and her husband, Louis, decided to permanently relocate from the Northeast to Wellington, Florida, and built the impressive riding and training facility Five Rings Farm — a nod to their Olympic ambitions. The venue hosted “Victory in Versailles” in 2024, helping the USET Foundation raise more than $2 million ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I would like to congratulate my co-recipient, Patti Scalfa Springsteen, and thank the USET Foundation for honoring us with the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award,” said Vinios, who was elected to the USET Foundation Board of Trustees in 2020. “I also want to recognize the past recipients of this award who have distinguished themselves as unwavering supporters of the USET Foundation, USEF, and of all equestrian sports. I am proud to be in esteemed company.

“As a country, we are so fortunate to have the USET Foundation funding our equestrian sports and programs and supporting our U.S. teams. I have seen the fruition of the USET Foundation’s efforts and the incredible support and enthusiasm they have generated for our teams and our country.”

Vinios generously continues to open Five Rings Farm to USEF and USET Foundation programs and events, including young and developing horse clinics and team training camps.

“At the Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, World Cup Finals, and national championships I’ve attended, I witnessed Team USA at its finest. I know several of the athletes, horses, and coaches and have seen some of what it takes for them to reach their goals. On their part, it is sacrifice, dedication, training, hard work, and a little luck, but it also takes financial support from owners, sponsors, the USET Foundation, and USEF.

“I would like to dedicate my award to the grooms, athletes, coaches, owners, and most importantly, our equine partners on all levels who work hard every day with a common goal to be the best they can be,” concluded Vinios.

Past Recipients of The R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award
2024 – W. James McNerney, Jr.
2023 – Margaret H. Duprey
2022 – William H. (Bill) Weeks
2021 – Elizabeth (Beth) Johnson
2019 – Abigail Wexner
2018 – S. Tucker S. Johnson
2017 – Jane Forbes Clark
2016 – Jacqueline B. Mars
2015 – Brownlee O. Currey, Jr.
2014 – R. Bruce Duchossois

For additional information or to support the USET Foundation and U.S. equestrian athletes, visit https://www.uset.org/donate/.