Blenheim course designer David Evans received an award for his contribution to eventing in the main arena at the horse trials on Sunday (9 September).
The Bill Thomson Memorial Award – organised by British Eventing on behalf of the Bill Thomson Memorial Committee – is presented to a course designer or builder annually. It is in honour of designer Bill Thomson who was famous for his work at Burghley.
“It’s always a sign that people want you to retire when you start receiving awards!” said David.
“Joking aside, I am very honoured to receive the award and to be acknowledged, but I could not do it the way we do without such a good team.”
David’s first major international competition as a course builder was at the 2005 FEI European championships – held at Blenheim. He was also involved in building the Olympic course at the 2008 Games, in Hong Kong.
British Eventing’s Mike Etherington-Smith said: “David has driven the standard of presentation to new levels and is now undoubtedly one of the best course builders in the world. He is a thoroughly deserving winner of this award.”
Previous winners of the award include Mark Phillips, Alan Willis, and Philip Herbert.
