The Animal Health Trust (AHT) have today announced this year’s award nominees for the AHT UK Equestrian awards.
This very special year sees the charity celebrate the awards ceremony’s 30th anniversary The winners will be announced next week during the annual ceremony which takes place at The Dorchester, Park Lane, London, on Wednesday 31 October and is hosted by HRH The Princess Royal.
The Nominees:
Devoucoux Dressage Award
Sophie Wells: Grade V para rider Sophie is the ultimate sportswoman. All her hard work paid off at the World Equestrian Games where she took the two individual gold medals. Sophie has represented Britain at the last nine consecutive para championships, winning 25 medals in
total, 16 of them gold.
Charlotte Fry: In 2018, Charlotte became World Champion with the Van Olst’s stallion Glamourdale in the seven year old age group in Ermelo, Britain’s first win at the Championships since 2012. Just days later, she was essential to Britain winning our first ever medal at the FEI European u25 Championships, a team bronze, before securing individual silver and freestyle gold.
Charlotte Dujardin: After a year out from the British Team, Charlotte was back with her latest new star, Mount St John Freestyle at this year’s World Equestrian Games. A stunning 77.67% in the team Grand Prix was crucial to the team securing their main goal, Olympic qualification but also a bronze medal. She then went on to take individual bronze in the Grand Prix Special.
Dodson & Horrell Eventing Award
The World Champion Eventing Team: The Equestrian Team GBR of Ros Canter, Tom McEwen, Gemma Tattersall, Piggy French and reserve Tina Cook went to Tryon to regain the championship title last won in 2010. The Team under the leadership of World Class performance manager Dickie Waygood and World Class performance Coach Chris Bartle came back victorious. Reserve rider Tina Cook deserves a special mention for her support to the team.
Ros Canter: Ros winning individual gold medal at the World Equestrian Games was an amazing achievement, especially as her final Show Jumping round had to be clear in order for the team to win the title. Ros and her horse All Star B rode a beautiful round to win the team
medal and secure the Individual World champion title herself.
British Showjumping Award:
Claudia Moore: Claudia at just 13 years of age, made her debut at Pony Nations Cup team level this year. As a result Claudia was then selected as a member of the British Pony European Championship where she played a pivotal role in the team winning gold. Two days later, she competed against established riders some three years older than her, where she won individual bronze.
Oliver Fletcher: Oliver’s competition record has gone from strength to strength culminating with him winning both team and individual silver at the Junior European Championships in Fontainebleau this summer. Oliver’s had considerable wins this year such as the Under 16-years and the Under 21-years at the British Showjumping National Championships and has gone on to have success within the senior environment at both National and International level.
Harry Charles: Harry, aged 19 years, is openly talked about on the international circuit as being the most talented youth rider the sport has on a global level. This year saw Harry step up into the Young Rider environment where, as a member of the Young Rider European Championship team, he posted four clear rounds at the Championships to ably deliver a team gold for Great Britain before going on to win individual gold.
The Barbour Foundation Under 25’s Star of the Future Award
Harry Charles: At just 19 years of age, for Harry to win double gold at the Young Rider European Championships would be exceeding anyone’s expectations. But to also go out and post solid results at the highest level of team competition is incomparable.
Charlotte Fry: The talent of 22 year old Charlotte is well documented but this year she took it to a whole new level. Charlotte was key to Britain winning our first ever medal at the FEI European u25 Championships, a team bronze, before securing individual silver and freestyle gold for herself riding her own and the Van Olst’s Dark Legend.
Imogen Murray: Imogen was long listed for the Equestrian Team GBR Eventing team for the World Championships in Tryon, with her top horse Ivar Gooden. She also represented Britain in the Nations Cup this year. She competes at the highest level completing Badminton and Burghley in 2017 and 2018 with Ivar Gooden.
On the night, the Veterinary Achievement Awardand SEIB Insurance Brokers Unsung Hero Awardwill also be presented.
The event has become known for celebrating the very best of the equestrian world and supporting the vital work of the charity.
The awards ceremony is the flagship fundraising event for the Trust and funds raised help towards vital research into equine infectious diseases, injuries and illness; ensuring equines from world-class competition horses to family ponies remain in good health today and in the future.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.