Equestrian excellence was once again celebrated in style at the annual Animal Health Trust (AHT) UK Equestrian Awards, held on Thursday 27 October. Olympians, medallists and champions of the equestrian world attended the evening at The Dorchester London Hotel, to applaud equestrian achievements in 2016 and to raise vital funds for the charity fighting disease and injury in horses, through treatment and research.
Hosts Nick Brooks-Ward and Zoey Bird presented the 28th UK Equestrian Awards, joined by a host of esteemed guests and expectant nominees in eight categories – Dressage, Eventing, Showjumping, Racing, Voluntary Service, Veterinary, the Animal Health Trust Special Award and the Under 25’s Star of the Future Award.
Charles Harris from Chris Potter Country Sports presents the Under 25 Star of the Future Award to Rebecca Edwards
The night did not disappoint in being a celebration of Olympic scale, attended by equestrian stars of the past, present and future. William Fox-Pitt was recognised for his achievements as one of the most successful British event riders of all time, overcoming extreme adversity in 2015 to come back from a coma to compete at the Rio Olympics. British Showjumping selected Nick Skelton OBE as their winner, with his Gold medal performance with Big Star being a household favourite from the Games. Champion Flat Jockey Jim Crowley pipped Richard Johnson, his equal over fences, to the winning post, adding the International Racing Award to his collection of silverware for this year. And most poignantly, a tribute to Hannah Francis and her Willberry Wonder Pony Charity for the Voluntary Service Award. Hannah tragically passed away in August 2016 from bone cancer, but after receiving her diagnosis, Hannah raised £115,000 towards bone cancer research, granting horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses.
CEO of British Showjumping, Iain Graham, presents the award to Olympic Gold Medallist Nick Skelton OBE
All the nominees and winners were very touched to have been put forward for awards in each of their fields. The Olympic and Paralympic dressage riders were showered with admiration after their medal haul from Rio. Spencer Wilton, who collected the Dressage award on behalf of his teammates gave a special thank you to Dr Rachel Murray, Senior Orthopaedic Clinician at the AHT, who he said greatly helped towards his and his horse Super Nova II’s achievements at the Games. Winner of the Veterinary Achievement Award, John McEwen MBE, also recognised the AHT’s involvement in equestrian sport saying, “We need to be at the cutting edge of science. The AHT carries out a lot of research into performance and this really does give Team GB the edge. Thank you to the AHT”.
Outgoing Chair of the Equestrian Awards Committte Lady Harris with incoming Chair%2C Lynne Meagher
Lady Harris, Chair of the organising committee said, “Our thanks go to all of our sponsors, and all those who attended on the night to help us raise vital funds to help the AHT and their fight against disease and injury in horses. A thank you to all of the members of the organising committee for their continued support and dedication to make this event such a success. We are already looking forward to what promises to be another excellent equestrian year in 2017, to coincide with the AHT’s very own 75th anniversary celebrations.”
Full list of winners:
Harvey Spack Field Dressage Award
Joint winners: Olympic Dressage Team (Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood, Spencer Wilton) and Paralympic Equestrian Team (Sophie Christiansen, Anne Dunham, Natasha Baker, Sophie Wells)
Eventing Award
William Fox-Pitt
British Showjumping Award
Nick Skelton OBE
Bet Solutions International Racing Award
Jim Crowley
Chris Potter Country Sports Under 25’s Star of the Future Award
Rebecca Edwards
Balta Veterinary Achievement Award
John McEwen MBE BVMS MRCVS
SEIB Insurance Brokers Voluntary Service Award
Hannah Francis and her Willberry Wonder Pony Charity
Tapi Carpets & Floors and the Animal Health Trust Special Award
Pete Brady
