Globetrotting equestrian Catie Staszak recently received recognition at the American Horse Publications’ 2019 Equine Media Awards for her 2018 Noelle Floyd magazine article, “Farewell, Rothchild: The Little Horse That Could — And Did.” The feature is a retirement tribute to two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward’s longtime mount, who jumped Ward to individual gold at the 2011 Pan American Games.
“Rothchild was never known as the horse that has the most scope or the best style, but he unquestionably had the biggest heart,” Staszak said. “He inspired many, including myself, that anything is possible with grit. He didn’t owe his team anything and now gets to enjoy a well-deserved retirement. Being able to tell this legendary horse’s story was a true honor.”
Staszak’s story, which follows Rothchild’s noteworthy career through interviews with Ward, Ward’s manager Lee McKeever, U.S. Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland and others, received second place honors in the Freelance Writing category, the largest in the competition with 28 submissions from across the country. In total, there were 711 entries from 119 American Horse Publications members. Winners were announced June 1 at the 2019 Equine Media Conference in Albuquerque, N.M.
“I would like to congratulate all the finalists whose hard work and dedication to the industry were so deservingly recognized,” Staszak said. “I am proud and honored to be considered among these individuals, who all strive to bring awareness to our beloved and diverse equestrian sport.”
Staszak regularly works with FEI TV, Carr-Hughes Productions and the NBC Sports Network, CBS Sports Network and more.
She also moderated at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland, and covered local sports in West Palm Beach with ESPN West Palm, WPTV News Channel 5, WFLX FOX 29 and as a SportsCenter Update anchor on ESPN 106.3. Her résumé also includes being a TV host and handicapper at Gulfstream Park racetrack, which was her first full-time job after graduating at the top of her class from the University of Miami in 2014.
Staszak operates her own Catie Staszak Media, which encompasses her many multimedia journalism services, from on-air talent and broadcasting, to producing, script writing, print journalism, web design, media consulting and more.
For more information about Staszak, visit www.facebook.com/catiestaszakmedia or www.catiestaszak.com. To learn more about the AHP Equine Media Awards, visit www.americanhorsepubs.org.
