LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Elizabeth Madden upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by the Syracuse Zonta Foundation
on April 23, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those esteemed individuals within the State of New York who
distinguish themselves through outstanding achievements in worldwide
athletic competition; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Elizabeth "Beezie" Madden upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by the Syracuse Zonta Foundation at its 9th Annual
Crystal Award Ceremony to be held on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at
Justin's Grill, Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, A two time Olympic Gold Medalist in Equestrian Show Jumping,
Elizabeth Madden was born on November 20, 1963, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
and was raised in Mequon, Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Madden was only three years old when she first
began to ride; her parents owned show horses, which they kept at the
Milwaukee Hunt Club; when she was six years old, she and her brother,
Stuart, both got their very first ponies on Christmas; he named his pony
Fudge, and she named hers Flicka; and
WHEREAS, As she grew up, Elizabeth Madden became more serious about
riding; she spent part of her junior year in high school on the Florida
Show Jumping Circuit, juggling horse shows and classes; she attended
Southern Seminary, a junior college in Virginia, from which she gradu-
ated as the valedictorian; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation, Elizabeth Madden went to work for Katie
Monahan Prudent on her Plain Bay Farm in Middleburg, Virginia, where she
worked until 1987, when she met her husband, John Madden; and
WHEREAS, Today, Elizabeth Madden and her husband, John, work together
in dual capacities; not only have they been married for ten years, but
they run a business together as well; Elizabeth rides and teaches while
John trains the horses and manages operations; and
WHEREAS, Now a proud resident of Cazenovia, New York, Elizabeth Madden
returned for her second consecutive Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in
2008, aboard Authentic; since her gold medal in team jumping in the
Athens Olympics, Madden and Authentic have found much success together;
in Beijing, they won a bronze medal in the individual show jumping
competition and also earned a gold medal in the team competition; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, in 2004, Elizabeth Madden became the first
woman and the first American rider to reach the Top Three in the Show
Jumping world-ranking list; in 2006, she and Authentic earned an indi-
vidual silver and contributed to a team silver at Worlds; in 2007, she
was awarded her second Whitney Stone Cup for her consistent excellence
in the sport, making her the first person who has ever won the presti-
gious accolade twice; and
WHEREAS, A gifted athlete, Elizabeth Madden has become a role model in
the sport of Equestrian Show Jumping; her character and achievements
stand as a sterling example and inspiration to all who would aspire to
success; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding athletes such as Elizabeth Madden who distinguish themselves
through their exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success
and the highest level of personal achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Elizabeth Madden upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by the Syracuse Zonta Foundation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Elizabeth Madden.