Dressage Life Stars up for
Riders, horses and volunteers are up for prestigous awards while a grand prix rider returns to the UK after a year abroad and another celebrates a new arrival
prestigious awards, rider returns
to UK after year abroad and more
DRESSAGE riders, horses and volunteers are among those nominated for the prestigious Horse & Hound awards.
Olympic silver medallist Spencer Wilton is one of four shortlisted for the professional rider of the year award, in recognition of his stellar results over the past year with Jen Goodman’s Supernova II, helping Britain to a close fourth place at the European Championships in Gothenburg.
Carl Hester’s Gothenburg ride Nip Tuck is up for the Cavalor horse of the year. Once gangly and uncoordinated, “Barney” has become a stalwart of the team, finishing fourth individually.
Nip Tuck goes up against Pammy and Charlie Hutton’s 17-year-old Abira, who, together with Suzanna Hext, claimed an incredible three gold medals at the para Europeans, the horse’s fifth European Championships.
All four members of this year’s gold medal-winning para team — Suzanna, Erin Orford, Sophie Wells and Julie Payne — are up for the Charles Owen moment of the year title for their victory.
This year’s Area Festival inter I champion Debbie Poynter is in contention for the Pikeur amateur of the year. Debbie juggles her job as a canine hydrotherapist and massage therapist with competing at small tour with Keystone For Real, whom she has trained up the levels herself.
South-west British Young Riders Scheme (BYRDS) representative Jo Lees is shortlisted for the volunteer of the year award, in recognition of her passion and innovative ideas.
“I’m just a big kid really, which helps with thinking outside the box,” she says. “The reward isn’t monetary — it’s seeing the children having a fabulous time.”
The winners will be revealed at the H&H Awards dinner on 2 November at Ascot Racecourse.