Eight Nominations Submitted for the first Queen's Award for Equestrianism

The British Horse Society announced today (22nd March 2006) at the National Equine Forum the names of the Nominees for the 2006 Queen's Award for Equestrianism. The new Award, which is made on the recommendation of the Trustees of The British Horse Society, is "For Outstanding Services to Equestrianism".

The eight Nominees, each of whom had been put forward either by one of the Member Bodies of the British Equestrian Federation, or by the Army, are:

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Yogi Breisner FBHS
Douglas HD Bunn
Mrs Betty Gaston
Mrs Jennie Loriston-Clarke MBE FBHS
Mrs Diana Martin-Bird FBHS
Clive Milkins
Major WL Thompson MVO, MBE, DCM

A Selection Panel, Chaired by Patrick Print FBHS (Chairman of The British Horse Society) and comprising the Chairman of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), BEF Member Body Chairmen and the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry, met at Stoneleigh to decide which three names should be submitted to the BHS Trustees for the final decision. The first recipient of the Award will be announced in the Spring.

Patrick Print said: "This prestigious new Award provides a further welcome opportunity to celebrate outstanding achievement in equestrianism. Each Nominee, in his or her own way, can be held up as an exemplar of personal achievement combined with a commitment to give something back to the sport."

BEF Chairman Hugh Thomas said: "As our discussions progressed it became clear to the Panel that every one of the Nominees deserves public recognition for his or her outstanding services to equestrianism. This made for a difficult decision, but in the end we were able to agree three whose contribution was truly exceptional."

Notes

  1. Her Majesty assented to the creation of The Queen's Award for Equestrianism in 2005. The first award will be made in 2006. The criterion is "For Outstanding Services to Equestrianism".
  2. The Award is made on the recommendation of the Trustees of The British Horse Society (BHS). To ensure that participants from across the spectrum of equestrianism (including the military) are considered, the Trustees invited the Member Bodies of the British Equestrian Federation, plus the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry, each to nominate a single potential recipient. Eight nominations were received.
  3. Informed by the deliberations of the Selection Panel, the Trustees will make their recommendation to Her Majesty shortly. An announcement will be made later in the Spring.
  4. With a combined membership in excess of 100,000, The British Horse Society and its subsidiary British Riding Clubs is the largest single equestrian organisation in the UK. Further information about the BHS may be obtained from the BHS website at www.bhs.org.uk .
  5. For further details contact Ollie Wilson, Director of Communications on 01926 707738 or o.wilson@bhs.org.uk

 

March 22nd, 2006