Acknowledging the rider who does not make their living from riding, training or competing horses, yet dedicates themselves to their passion.
Amateur Rider of the Year winner 2024
Lucy Latta
The marketing professional who was Badminton runner-up – on her five-star debut
Ireland’s Lucy Latta, 27, took her debut five-star by storm when she came second at Badminton this year on RCA Patron Saint, with the fastest cross-country round. This would have been impressive for any young event rider, but is perhaps even more so as “Paddy” is Lucy’s only horse and she also holds down a full-time job, working on early-stage marketing in the innovation team for alcoholic canned drinks brand White Claw. She is from a family steeped in horses and is coached by her cousin, five-star rider Elizabeth Power. “It’s been a great year,” says Lucy. “Badminton was the highlight and we’ve improved a lot so it’s exciting for next year. It’s tough juggling and balancing work with eventing, but I manage it thanks to my wonderful owner Lesley Crampton, and the team behind me: Elizabeth Power, my mum Yvonne, my dad Charlie and my auntie Margaret Power. I have a great support system and a lot of help.”
Also on the shortlist…
Floriann Gilston
The senior wedding and events manager with a passion for the show ring
Floriann Gilston regularly qualifies for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS) in hunter and side-saddle ranks. Her current star is her dual middleweight and ladies’ ride Killea Silver Diamond. “The proudest moment of my career so far was winning my first HOYS ticket, aged 18, in the ladies’ class with Hawklands Argento Amore,” she says. “It’s a moment I will struggle to beat as it was so unexpected.” Floriann’s schedule takes careful planning, as the wedding season requires long days and weekend working: “I’m lucky to have my family who help as much as they can. I couldn’t compete without their support. It also helps that I have a horse who doesn’t mind not being ridden every day. I’m so lucky to have a horse who tries his hardest for me, no matter what we do. “You’re always living someone else’s dream. As a little girl, I dreamt of riding at the shows at which I now get to compete.”
Catherine Hill
The farm and equine vet who balances her full-time role with eventing at intermediate level
Catherine Hill is a vet and partner at Hill & Phelan Veterinary Surgeons, working with equine and farm animals. Alongside this full-time job, Catherine events at intermediate level with Oeps Van Het Weidehof (Vigo), jumping clear round Burgham and Aston-le-Walls this season, and double clear at Hartpury CCI2*-L. “The course at Burgham felt huge and scary, but Vigo ate it up and gave me such a buzz on completion,” says Catherine, who has coaching from Caroline Moore. “The work-life balance is super-tricky,” she continues, paying tribute to her “supportive” business partner James Phelan, who covers the on-calls when she is competing, and her husband and super-groom Richard. “Early-morning fitness, lessons before work and long days trying to fit it all in. I work and ride when I can; Richard keeps everything going at home.” Earlier this month, Catherine took a quiet moment to go for a hack while on call: “Thirty minutes in, I was called to a cow in the next village, so I rode there and called Richard who drove my work car to the farm,” she says. “I performed a caesarean on the cow while Richard held my horse, then hacked back home. A true team effort.”
Megan Champney
The top-level show rider who also works a full-on job for the front-line emergency services
Megan Champney is one of the circuit’s hard-working home-producers. She has enjoyed a stellar run in 2024 with her own Penrock Perfect Puzzle (Portia), who won at the RIHS in July. The mare was backed by Megan as a three-year-old and finished fourth at HOYS last term. They booked their return trip this year by winning the first qualifier of the season. While Portia has been a dream-maker for Megan, her first pony, Harry, gave her equal joy. He retired at the age of 39, after being crowned veteran of the year at the Coloured Horse and Pony Society championships. “Winning the RIHS on a home-produced pony this year was a dream come true,” says Megan. “My work can be challenging mentally and physically due to the nature of the role, but having my horses is the therapy I need to help me through it – but I do question my choices when it’s raining and I’m knee-deep in mud! I’d love to qualify for the RIHS and HOYS again with Portia, and I also have a lovely 138cm show pony with whom I’ll contest part-bred classes. This will be exciting as I’ve only shown coloured ponies for many years.”
Previous Amateur Rider of the Year award winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- 2023: amateur event rider Amy Dixon, who won BE90 Badminton grassroots and Blair Scottish Championships
- 2022: amateur five-star event rider who works full-time in the medical devices industry Libby Seed
- 2021: accountant and an amateur four-star event rider Lauren Innes
- 2020: Inspirational para showjumper and disability campaigner Evie Toombes was crowned amateur rider of the decade (2011-2020)
- 2019: amateur event rider Adam Harvey
- 2018: amateur event rider Katie Preston
- 2017: amateur event rider Alice Goring
- 2016: amateur dressage rider Claire Abel
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2024
The Horse & Hound Awards returned for a ninth year in a row, in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners were nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which was decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We will recognise both the big names who have made 2024 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at whatever level.
This year we returned to Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including Olympic and Paralympic superstars, enjoyed a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 27 November.
