Pikeur Amateur of the Year

CHARLES OWEN MOMENT OF THE YEAR

THE Charles Owen Moment of the Year was a hotly contested category, with six shortlisted nominees, including Andrew Nicholson’s Badminton win and team golds for Britain’s eventing and para dressage teams. But the runaway winner was the phenomenal crowdfunding effort by Jonty Evans. He raised £500,000 to secure the ride on Cooley Rorkes Drift (Art).

“I’ve never beaten Andrew Nicholson at anything!” exclaimed the Irish Olympian, who pointed out the award was not really for him.

“This award is a thank you to the people who donated. Tonight is about what everybody did for Art and me, not what Art and I did. I’m just grateful to people for what they did.”

With more than 6,000 people contributing and an ongoing clamour around Jonty from the donors’ Facebook group, does he feel pressure?

“I see it as support, rather than any kind of pressure. People want to see Art happy and it’s lovely to go to the yard and see him over the stable door,” he said, while acknowledging things have not gone to plan in competition this autumn.

“I hope now Art and I will get a chance for everything to settle down, concentrate on each other and get back to where we were before Rio and Badminton.”

Jonty added that his list of thank yous is “6,796 long” — starting with his wife Jane, family and staff for “putting up with hell” — but also includes H&H for covering his story.

“You were there at the beginning and the first to ring me when we broke the target,” he said.

‘It’s about what everybody did for “Art” and me, not what we did’ JONTY EVANS ON THE THOUSANDS OF DONORS TO ART’S FUND