British Eventing’s end of season awards took place this weekend at The Event Horse Owners Association (EHOA) awards luncheon at Cheltenham racecourse. The star-studded list of awardees included the current FEI number one Oliver Townend, Badminton winner Ros Canter, leading U21 rider Isabelle Cook and best British junior Anna Price.

It has been another successful season for Oliver who landed Burghley for the third time and finished second at Badminton. For his efforts, he was given the Tony Collins Trophy awarded to the British rider gaining the highest number of points on any horse or horses. The rider has now had 41 top 10 placings at CCI5*-L, including seven wins – Badminton, Burghley (three times) and Kentucky (three times). The Calcutta Light Horse Trophy, for the British horse gaining the highest number of points throughout the season, went to Oliver’s Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class and was collected by his joint owner Karyn Shuter who co-owns him alongside Angela Hislop and Val Ryan.

A win at Badminton and double gold at the European Championships at Le Pin au Haras saw Ros Canter’s British-bred ride, Lordships Graffalo receive the Wide Awake Trophy for the second year running. This trophy is presented to the breeder of the British bred, owned and ridden horse gaining the highest number of points. He was bred by the Lordships Stud at Writtle College in Essex and is owned by Michele Saul who collected the award.

Michele said: “I am really happy to receive this award, not only for me but for the dedication of the yard, all of whom inhabit Walter’s World, and my long suffering husband who has to listen to endless conversations of dressage, warm ups and cool downs whilst standing in a field with rain and wind lashing down and the only reward being a bacon butty and a three hour drive back home listening to me saying how wonderful the day and Walter have been.”

Thanks to her double European gold, Ros herself was also awarded the Jane Holderness-Roddam Trophy for the highest place Senior Brit at Championship level.

The award ceremony was also an opportunity to reflect on the success of our promising young riders and recognise the achievements of our highest placed British competitors. The Hubert Allfrey Trophy, presented to the highest placed British rider in the Junior European Championship, was awarded to Anna Price and Keep Happy who finished best of the Brits in fourth at the 2023 FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders and Juniors.

“We didn’t really go into this year with much expectation due to the pressure of A levels but everything with Pepsi (Keep Happy) sort of just fell into place and she really came into her own this season,” said Anna. “It was an amazing experience to represent team GB and I am very grateful to my friends and family who came out to Italy to support us. It was disappointing to miss out on selection when riding ponies due to Covid, so this made it even more special, and I am excited about giving young rider teams a go next season when I get back from travelling in March.”

The Sir John Burder Trophy, given to the highest placed British rider in the Young Riders Championship, went to Georgina Herrling for her sixth-place finish at the FEI European Eventing Championship Young Riders 2023 in Montelibretti riding Cooley Now Or Never.

Georgina said: “I’m delighted to have been recognised with the EHOA award, it’s a fantastic way to celebrate a memorable season. The EHOA have been incredibly supportive over the last few years, and I’m very grateful for their continued support of Youth eventing.”

The Edy Goldman Trophy – awarded to the British U21 rider gaining the most points throughout the year – was presented to Isabelle Cook who finished fifth at the FEI Junior European Eventing Championships.

“It was a lovely surprise to have won this award,” said Isabelle. “I have had a great season and have been really lucky to have had three horses competing in the U21 classes. It’s been great to have done so well in these classes as it’s a very competitive age group with lots of great combinations. I’ve had great fun doing Juniors this year, and would like to say a massive thank you to Plum Rowland for supporting the youth.”

The success of our Pony riders was also recognised, with the Jane Rook Trophy – presented to the highest placed British competitor in the current Pony Rider European Championship – being awarded to Ella Howard and Midnight Mist, for her 10th-place finish in Le Mans, France.

“I’m thrilled to have won this award,” said Ella. “It was a privilege to represent Great Britain at the Europeans for the second time with Midnight Mist. Having come 11th last year in Strzegom, to come 10th and finish best British rider in Le Mans this year was amazing and now I’m very excited for next year with him. A massive thank you to EHOA for this award and to British Eventing for their incredible support with youth eventing, and The Howden Way for the extra training opportunities.”

The Britannia Trophy for the British rider with the most wins gained on any horse or horses at CCI4* level not to have carried a union flag at a championships, went to Bubby Upton. Bubby and Magic Roundabout IV pulled off a fabulous performance to land the Bramham CCI4* U25. This season has been fraught with challenges for Bubby who sadly suffered a fall on the flat in August which saw her undergo surgery for a fractured spine, but she is now back in the saddle, and we wish her well for the future.

Bubby commented: “It is a huge honour to have won this award at the EHOA awards and it feels like a lovely way to close out the 2023 season which has been an amazing season for me in so many ways with some very special results, but I’ve also faced the toughest hurdles of my life this season too.”

British Eventing CEO Rosie Williams, had the honour of presenting some of the awards.

“It was a pleasure to award the trophies to such deserving recipients and acknowledge first-hand the depth in numbers we have across all levels and age groups,” Rosie said. “It’s important to take the time to celebrate the successes of the past season, and the hard work that goes in by all those involved from the riders, trainers, owners and support teams who play such an important role. The depth of talent we have in the sport clearly serves as a great showcase for British Eventing and our ongoing success from grassroot participation through to medal winning delivery.”

EHOA AWARDS

• EHOA Members League – a bronze trophy and cheque for £5,000 to the Owner of the horse gaining the most points at UK CCI 4* competitions. Presented by Kate Walls from Elite Sporthorse Acquisitions. Recipient: Alex Moody, owner of Izilot DHI
• EHOA Members League Runner Up – a cheque of £1,000. Presented by Kate Walls from Elite Sporthorse Acquisitions. Recipients: Alison Swinburn, John & Chloe Perry Owners of Brookfield Cavalier Cruise
• European Championship Award – A salver presented to the highest placed horse owned by a member and ridden by a British rider at the Senior European Championships. Presented by Edward Thornton from Brompton Private Wealth Recipient: Michele SaulOwner of Lordships Graffalo
• Young Horse Championship Award – A salver presented to the owners, who are EHOA members, of the highest placed horse in the Championship for seven-year-old horses held at Cornbury. Presented by Fraser Cruikshanks from Shearwater Insurance Services Limited Recipients: Di Brunsden, Peter Cattell and Padraig McCarthy Owners of MGH Zabaione
• Young Horse Championship Award – A salver presented to the owners, who are EHOA members, of the highest placed horse in the Championship for six-year-old horses held at Osberton. Presented by Michelle Pritchard from Weatherbys Bank Recipients: Joanna Jones, Jane Boggis, Jane Tolley and Penny Holley Owners of Kantango
• Young Horse Championship Award – A salver presented to the owner, who is an EHOA member, of the highest-placed horse in the Championship for five-year-old horses held at Osberton. Presented by Adrian Taylor from Taylor Woodcock Kingston Recipient: Lucinda Atkinson, Owner and rider of PRF Made in England
• BETTALIFE & EHOA Veteran Eventing Championship Award – A trophy presented together with an award of £500 to the horse and rider combination gaining the highest number of points at BE competitions throughout the Season. Presented by Amy Pickard from Bettalife. Recipient: Deborah Burrell, Owner and rider of Imperial Tangle
• The Barbara Cooper Trophy – Awarded to the owner of the horse ridden by a young rider in recognition of outstanding performance at Burghley and throughout the preceding eventing season. Recipient: Alice Casburn, Owner and rider of Top Spin
• Plum Rowland Award – presented to the rider under 21 years of age who gained the greatest number of points in the Open Intermediate U21 classes. Presented by Plum Rowland. Recipient: Isabelle Cook

British Horse Foundation Awards, presented by Jane Nixon

• The Richard Matson Trophy – Presented together with an award of £1,000 to the breeder of the British-bred horse placed highest at Burghley. Winner: Caroline Casburn, breeder of Top Spin, ridden by Alice Casburn
• An award of £1,000 presented to the breeder of the British bred horse placed highest at Badminton. Winner: The Lordship Stud, Writtle University College, breeder of Lordships Graffalo, ridden by Ros Canter

More details and images, courtesy of Peter Nixon, can be found on the EHOA website – www.ehoa.org