Charlotte Dujardin named in Debrett’s top 500
Charlotte Dujardin might feel more at home in jodhpurs than an evening gown, but this hasn’t stopped her being named in the Debrett’s 500 list of “people of influence and achievement in British society”.
Debrett’s — which calls itself “the trusted source on British social skills, etiquette and style” is most renowned for producing the Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners — has included Charlotte on the list for the first time.
The 29-year-old dressage star — who is the first dressage rider to hold Olympic, European and World gold titles simultaneously — is in good company with newcomers to the list including the Duchess of Cambridge, actor Eddie Redmayne and golfer Rory McIlroy.
The top 500 guide is put together by independent panels of specialists across 24 different fields including sport, journalism, media, politics and advertising. The 2015 list includes 147 women.
Utterly humbled to have made the @Debretts 500 list. Thank you from myself and Valegro for highlighting our sport! pic.twitter.com/l51b22iBq7Utterly humbled to have made the @Debretts 500 list. Thank you from myself and Valegro for highlighting our sport! pic.twitter.com/l51b22iBq7— Charlotte Dujardin (@CSJDujardin) January 26, 2015— Charlotte Dujardin (@CSJDujardin) January 26, 2015
Joanne Milner, chief executive at Debrett’s, said: “We are delighted to announce this year’s Debrett’s 500. It’s a fascinating mix of people, and not entirely who you might expect.
“Every individual, though, demonstrates outstanding qualities of influence, achievement and inspiration.
“I think now is the perfect time to consider how we can inspire the next generation of influencers, so that we can ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.”
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Charlotte, who was brought up in urban Hertfordshire and left school at 16 to become a groom, has helped to break down some of the barriers of equestrianism being considered a “privileged” sport.
In 2014 as well as picking up two individual gold medals and team silver at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) she also broke two world records within 24 hours at the London International Horse Show at Olympia (17 December 2014).
In recognition for her success at WEG Charlotte was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Charlotte finished fourth via the public vote — gaining 75,814 votes, 12.2% of the total placed.
Charlotte was also named BT Sport’s action woman of the year at a ceremony at the Olympic Park in London (11 December) and in November took the Sunday Times/Sky Sportswoman of the year award.
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.