Among the recipients of The New Year’s Honours list announced yesterday, which recognise achievements from across the UK, are five equestrian athletes who are recognised for their services to the sport. Para-equestrian dressage rider David Lee Pearson CBE (Staffordshire), receives a knighthood for his services to equestrianism. Lee, who attended his fifth Paralympic Games this summer in Rio, secured his eleventh gold medal as he took the Grade Ib Freestyle title aboard Zion.
Para-dressage’s Sophie Christiansen OBE (Berkshire), who won three gold medals out at the Rio Paralympic Games and dressage’s Charlotte Dujardin OBE (Gloucestershire), who secured a second individual gold medal at the Olympic Games with her partner Valegro, are both awarded CBE’s.
Showjumper Nick Skelton OBE (Warwickshire), who secured the first ever individual showjumping gold medal for Great Britain in Rio with his ride Big Star, is also recognised in the list and awarded a CBE. Oldest member of the 2016 ParalmypicsGB team and triple Rio medallist, Anne Dunham MBE (Wiltshire), is also recognised for her services to para-equestrianism and is awarded an OBE.
Mrs Avril Nicholl, recognised for her services to disabled people through the Ballyclare branch of Riding for the Disabled Association and Albert Clyde, Secretary for Riding for the Disabled in Coleraine, both receive MBE’s.
