Rafferty Johnson (12) has been chosen as December’s The Howden Way Spotlight Award winner for celebrating development of skills and knowledge over outcome, being a good role model and ambassador for the sport, and ensuring the welfare of all. As part of his award, Rafferty wins a uvex exxential II riding helmet, courtesy of Zebra Products.
Coach Lisa Morris nominated Rafferty for the December Spotlight Award on behalf of the East Midlands region. She said: “Raffi is a very keen u18 rider for the East Midlands Region and attends regular BE regional training and course walks. A total team player, Raffi helped the East Midlands come second in the Championships at Chillington Hall this year and finished 8th there as an individual. He has since moved up a level and came third in two BEu18 90 classes this autumn. Raffi is so receptive to coach advice and hence is a great ambassador for the youth programme.”
Laura Collett, who has the pleasure of selecting the winning candidate, said: “It’s great to see such dedication to his personal development, but also to his attitude towards the achievements of his team mates. Being a team player is a huge part of every eventer’s success, so it’s positive to see it featuring highly in Rafferty’s core values at such as early stage in his eventing career. It’s also promising to hear that Rafferty is open to advice from his coaches, a vital component to success, and one which will take him far.”
Rafferty commented: “Thank you so much for this award, I honestly can’t believe it!
Silver Esk, aka ‘Rudi’ and I have been together since April 2023 and this year we started eventing. Rudi already knew what he was doing but it was a season of firsts for me as I’d never evented before. We’ve had such a brilliant time, nearly always finishing in the top ten and representing East Midlands at the Youth Championships at Chillington Hall where we came home with team second and individual eighth place. We’ve also qualified for Bramham next year which I’m really excited about.
“Being part of the U18’s team is really brilliant. All the coaches are very supportive and the training opportunities are fantastic, plus the support when you’re at the events is really good – I love the course walks.
“Next season we are going to continue at BE90 and hopefully be on the team for Youth Championships again and if we can, we’d love to qualify for the Grassroots Championship at Badminton. I’m so lucky to have Rudi, he is the coolest pony I could ever wish for.”
Each month, coaches are invited to nominate a member who has championed the sport’s core values, whether it be welfare, driving for inclusivity, creating camaraderie and supporting others, celebrating development of skills and knowledge over outcomes and developing true ambassadors for the sport. The winner is then selected by Olympic Gold Medallist, Laura Collett, from a shortlist of contenders.
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