Caroline Pratt bursary awarded
While the eventing world continues to miss the presence of Caroline Pratt (pictured), who tragically died in a fall at Burghley last year, the introduction of a number of awards and bursaries in her name will ensure that she is not forgotten.
It was particularly fitting that the first recipient of the Caroline Pratt Memorial Fund bursary — instigated by Caroline’s family and administered by the British Horse Society — was a former pupil of the late event rider.
Hannah Bate, 27, will receive £2,000 from the fund after impressing a judging panel headed by Yogi Breisner at a special selection day, which was attended by Caroline’s mother Angela and her sister Judith. The bursary will also provide funding to local Pony Clubs.
Hannah, who described Caroline as a “friend and mentor” in her application letter, said: “I’m thrilled. It has come as a surprise because the others were really good. I was [Caroline’s] student for two years at Tetton Hall, near Middlewich, Cheshire, [during which time] my riding improved enormously.”
All of the six finalists chosen from the dozens of initial applications had a connection with Caroline. Mrs Angela Pratt said: “The Memorial Fund is the least we could do for Caroline. She would have wanted to help someone in this way.”
Sarah Caplan, The BHS’s North West regional development officer and a friend of Caroline, said: “The bursary is a fitting tribute to Caroline, who always had time for other riders. She was extremely nice and an incredibly good rider.”
In a further initiative to remember Caroline, Olympic gold medallist Leslie Law and the British eventing team’s show jumping trainer Kenneth Clawson are holding a two-day training course in Worcestershire on 19-20 July.
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The course will focus on show jumping training with Kenneth on the first day, with cross-country technique covered by Leslie on the second day. The course costs £100 per person and includes supper cooked by Kenneth. Most of the proceeds will go to fund a special award in memory of Caroline, which is being presented at Tetton Hall One Day Event in August.
Previous courses organised by this duo have been extremely popular and as places are limited, early booking is recommended. For full details contact Annabel Brunner Tel: 01223 872619 email: annabel@brunners.org
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.