Stalwart of the horse world honoured by The Queen
An 80-old-year stalwart of the horse world, who last year jumped out of a plane to raise money for charity, has been honoured by the Queen.
Pat Campbell from Kent was presented with the Queen’s Award for Equestrianism on Wednesday (9 July). The award is in honour of “outstanding services to equestrianism” and is made on the recommendation of the British Horse Society (BHS).
The presentation was made by Princess Anne at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.
Pat said she was “very honoured” to receive the award.
Last year Pat did a parachute jump in aid of the BHS and Kent Air Ambulance to mark her 80th birthday, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
At the time Pat said she wanted to “do something special” for the charities, even though she hates heights.
Pat has dedicated 60 years to working in the horse world, from volunteering with the Pony Club through to five years as BHS chairman.
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She is also a former president of Ponies (UK), National Pony Society and chairman of The Dartmoor Pony Society.
“For the past six decades Pat Campbell has been one of the horse world’s true unsung heroes,” said BHS chairman Claire Alridge.
“Few people in any walk of life have dedicated so much of their time, energy and expertise to helping others, with no personal or financial reward.
“I am delighted that her extraordinary, selfless achievements are being recognised by this award. There could be no more deserving recipient.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.