Maclay Win Earns Racanelli Inaugural William Steinkraus Equitation Award

Lila Racanelli received the inaugural William Steinkraus Equitation Award, donated by Walter J. Lee, for winning the ASPCA Maclay. She is pictured in the award presentation alongside Emily Koss, Walter J. Lee, and Jay Mullen. All photos by SEL Photography

As the winner of the ASPCA Maclay at Fairfield June, Lila Racanelli received the inaugural William Steinkraus Equitation Award, donated by Walter "Jimmy" Lee.

Racanelli was best aboard Hellen Cantwell's Tibri's Goodfella, a horse formerly ridden by Racanelli's sister Caroline before Lila took the reins this spring. Known as "Bob" in the stable, the 9-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding has proven to be a reliable partner.

"He's a very chill guy, and he never really puts a foot wrong. He always is doing his best," Racanelli said. "I've been coming to [this horse show] since I was really young—probably 10 [years old] on ponies. I love how this show is very competitive but also very relaxed. Everyone is so friendly."

It was Racanelli's afternoon. She earned a trio of victories, with other top honors coming in the USEF Medal and WEC Qualifier. That earned her the Cordelia Clark Rudkin Memorial Trophy as the Open Equitation Champion.

"I didn't know this was going to happen," Racanelli said, "but I'm very honored to be the first recipient [of the William Steinkraus Equitation Award], and it's been a great day."

The William Steinkraus Equitation Award is one of two new perpetual trophies donated by Lee in 2026. The other, the Walter J. Lee High Score Hunter Award, was presented Thursday to Jennifer Hannan. 

"Bill Steinkraus won this trophy in 1941, the year he won the Maclay Finals—and of course, he went on to become an Olympian and the first American to win individual Olympic gold in show jumping," Lee said. "So I thought that trophy needed to come back here."

Lee, a respected hunter judge, trainer, and breeder, first visited Fairfield in 1961. He's been a regular attendee ever since.

"This is such an iconic horse show. I call these showgrounds hallowed grounds. Over the years, every top equitation rider, every top hunter from all over the country has come here," Lee said. "The grounds are second to none, and the grass is maintained perfectly," he added. "I think horses look better on grass. I know we have all the fancy European footing and all the different things that people love, but as long as it's maintained, grass like this—there's nothing better."

Lila Racanelli was the Open Equitation Champion with Tibri's Goodfella.