British rider Amanda Derbyshire has been crowned overall leading lady rider at the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Florida.
The US-based showjumper performed consistently well across the 12-week festival.
Her big wins came in the $134,000 CSI3* Horseware Ireland grand prix on Roulette BH and the $72,000 CSI4* Equinimity WEF Challenge Cup round 11 aboard Luibanta BH.
She won back-to-back leading lady titles in week 10 and 11 of WEF in the build-up to claiming the overall Martha Jolicouer leading lady rider award on 30 March.
“Having this award adds a whole other element of competition among some very talented female riders and I am beyond thrilled to win the overall title this year,” said Amanda, who won her first WEF Martha Jolicouer leading lady award in 2018.
“It was an incredible feeling to just win once, but to win twice more this season and take overall is indescribable.
“I am so grateful to Martha for recognizing leading ladies, but also for being such a steadfast supporter of horse sport in general.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“This season was a spectacular one for me and I could not have expected more out of my horses.”
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
The award was presented in memory of horsewoman Dale Lawler.
In recognition of her achievement, Amanda was also given a custom-built jump of her choice from Martha.
Britain’s newest showjumping star and leading lady rider talks to Sarah Jenkins about making the World Games team, riding Big
“The leading lady award was always the one that I aimed to win when I was competing because it is a testament to consistent top performances,” said Martha, who started presenting the award in 2010.
“Wellington is the winter equestrian capital of the world and attracts some of the best riders in the world.
“To experience how horses have brought us all together is something special for me. It was an honour to watch Amanda find so much success this season and win her first overall leading lady rider award.”
Other weekly winners of the award over the 2019 season included Erynn Ballard, Laura Chapot, Margie Engle, Tiffany Foster, Lauren Hough, Eve Jobs, Beezie Madden, Karen Polle, and Jessica Springsteen.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
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
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
