Trish Gilbert was one of the first women to break the barriers put up against women competing in the sport of eventing. She had considerable success in the early years of eventing amongst non-military competitors. Prior to relocating to her current home in Hartford County, Maryland with her husband Bill, she served as the director of the Blue Ridge Horse Trials and organized the spring three-day U.S. Equestrian Team Championship. She was a team selector, the young rider chairman, and served on many USEA boards.

Gilbert was involved at the beginning of Fair Hill International as the event director. She also has served for years as a licensed eventing official. In 2003, Gilbert successfully ran the Pan American Games Eventing Championship. Thanks to her work, Fair Hill International eventually morphed into the Maryland 5 Star - only the second five-star event established in the United States as a permanent fixture.

“I don’t know of anyone who has dedicated their life to the improvement of eventing in the way that you have,” said eventing legend and fellow Hall of Fame member Jim Wofford. “I hope you know that your sport is a better place for your efforts. Congratulations again, and thank you, thank you, thank you.”