Top award for Davina
Talented and dedicated individuals scoop well-deserved awards, and a popular amateur ridden series gets a shake-up
DAVINA WHITEMAN has received this year’s British Show Pony Society (BSPS) equestrian personality of the year award, presented at the AGM held on 3 February at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester.
Davina’s career began in 1946 when she rode a skewbald pony, Allerton Nuts in May, to stand fifth at The Royal Show, then held at Lincoln. A win at the Royal International (RIHS) on the show pony Firefly followed in 1948, and in 1950 and 1951, she stood champion at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) with the legendary Pretty Polly, going on to win several times on horses, including a lightweight hunter victory with Taylor Made.
Davina was vice-chair of Ponies of Britain before it became Ponies (UK) in 1988, then serving as vice-chair to her mother,
Joan Lee-Smith, before heading the society from 1995 to 2017.
She also became a respected judge and trainer; among her showring protegees were future Burghley winners Judy Bradwell and Jane Wallace (née Souter); producer Nigel Hollings — 1972 HOYS show pony champion with Snailwell Charles and 1989 supreme aboard Fair Breeze. — and four-time show pony champion Cathryn Cooper, who partnered Holly Of Spring.
“This award came as a total surprise and I am honoured to receive it,” said Davina. “I view it as the conclusion of a very enjoyable era as my father was a founder member and council member of the BSPS.”