David Evans receives Bill Thomson Memorial Award at Blenheim

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.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now