The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recently announced that Joe Fargis of Middleburg has been selected to receive the year's most coveted lifetime achievement award for his undying support and incredible legacy. Fargis will receive the Jimmy A. Williams Lifetime Achievement Trophy at the Pegasus Awards gala.

Fargis, of Middleburg, Virginia, has been a leading figure in the sport of jumping for more than 40 years and his influence spans the entire scope of the sport in which he has served as a competitor, trainer, administrator and leader.

Fargis has a long list of accomplishments in the competition arena. He made his first of more than 30 FEI Nations Cup appearances in 1970 in Lucerne, Switzerland, beginning his legacy as a stalwart on U.S. teams. In 1975, Fargis helped the U.S. secure Team Gold at the Pan American Games in Mexico City, Mexico. Nine years later at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Fargis won Team and Individual Gold with Touch of Class. The pair's epic performance set an Olympic record as they faulted only a single time throughout the competition (they jumped clear over 90 of 91 obstacles).

Fargis furthered his legacy in the 20th century winning Team Silver at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and representing the U.S. at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Stockholm in 1990.

Additionally, he twice topped the North American East Coast League in qualifying for the FEI World Cup.

Finally, Fargis' legacy extends to much more than his role as a competitor. His Sandron Farm is a renowned training facility that has helped shape the careers of many of the best horses and riders in the country.

Fargis has also had a lasting effect on the administration of horse sport in the United States as a valued committee member of the American Horse Show Association (the predecessor to the USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Association, and United States Equestrian Team.

Fargis also serves on the Board of Directors of the Upperville Horse Show.