The Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards will once again be celebrating equestrian excellence at this well-known annual event, on Thursday 27 October. This star studded occasion returns to The Dorchester Hotel in London for an equestrian celebration of Olympic proportions.
Equestrian stars of the past, present and future are nominated for these prestigious awards, celebrating achievements in dressage, eventing, show jumping and racing. Nominated by their prospective disciplines, hopeful winners include Olympic gold medallists Carl Hester and Nick Skelton, and Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen. The Bet Solutions International Racing Award sees the battle of the Champion Jockeys, with Richard Johnson nominated for his efforts over fences, facing Jim Crowley and his successful season on the flat. There is also the ‘Voluntary Service’ and ‘Under 25’s Star of the Future’ Awards to look forward to too.
The Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards first began in 1989 and has since grown in size and stature into one of the highlights of the equestrian calendar. Fundraising for the Animal Health Trust – which works extensively to help keep the UK’s horses fit, healthy and most importantly, protected from disease – this recognition of athletes ultimately contributes to helping the equine athletes and beloved pets we admire on a much wider scale.
Lady Harris, Chairman of the event, said: “This year is particularly special; firstly because it is my final year as Chairman before I hand over the reins (as it were!). This will be my third Equestrian Awards and I’m hoping I continue my good fortune of each year being better than the last, and will be able to go out on a huge high! And secondly, we have had such wonderful results from all our equestrian disciplines this summer in Rio, there are so many achievements to celebrate and a huge selection of deserving winners nominated in each category to be especially proud of. Some of our Gold medallists from Rio will be attending, which adds a vast amount of excitement to the event, as well as our celebrity hosts ‘the voice of Olympia’ Nick Brooks-Ward and racing’s Zoey Bird.
It is difficult to say how much will be raised each year, as so much relies on the support of both our silent online auction which anyone can join in, and the live auction on the night. We of course hope that our guests and all AHT supporters will be brave and bold in their bidding to help us push the total beyond that of last year, however, I would hope somewhere close to £100,000 to declare the event a success in raising vital funds for the AHT.
There has been a continual increase in demand on the services and expertise provided by the AHT. The referral clinics are treating as many animals as they can, our diagnostics teams are processing tests and samples from across the world, our researchers are continually seeking funds to investigate diseases to then provide the clinics with the best options for improving techniques and treatments available for all our pets. To keep the AHT at the forefront of veterinary advances, updating the facilities and equipment is always a high priority, especially with the growing demand from clients.”
To support the AHT and bid on some amazing auction lots, including a morning with ‘Dressage Award’ nominee Carl Hester, visit the Animal Health Trust website: www.aht.org.uk/equestrianawards
