Kitty King leads the way at eventing awards
European silver medallist Kitty King was among the award winners at the Eventing Riders Association (ERA) of GB’s ball on 28 November.
Both British Eventing (BE) and ERA awards were presented at the party.
Kitty, who finished fourth at the FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle in September, was presented with the Jane Holderness Roddam Trophy for the leading British rider at the event.
She also picked up the ERA International most influential rider of 2015 prize.
Emily King, who made her four-star debut at Pau this year (21-25 October), was another rider to win multiple awards.
The 19-year-old took the Goldman Cup for the leading under-21 rider of the season, which Dani Evans collected on her behalf.
Emily also won the ERA International rising star award.
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Ben Hobday, who is in remission from cancer, was the winner of the ERA GB’s best use of social media accolade and made his acceptance speech via video link.
“Thank you very much for the award tonight,” he said. “It is really kind and overwhelming.
“Everyone’s support and well wishes, really it has helped me and means a hell of a lot so thank you so much.”
Young eventer Hannah Francis, who is going through treatment for osteosarcoma, was the winner of the ERA GB’s against all odds award.
“It was a truly magical evening that I honestly do not think I can put into words or explain to you all just how much it meant to me,” she said on social media.
“But it will be a night I will never ever forget and a was total dream come true. Thank you.”
William Fox-Pitt was the winner of the ERA’s riders choice award.
The Tony Collins award for the leading British rider of the season went to Oliver Townend, who topped the overall rankings for 2015 with 2,086 points.
The Mitsubishi Motors leading rider award for the top grassroots rider was given to Katie Hancock.
Alex Postolowsky took the leading foundation point rider, heading the ranking table above Piggy French and Vicky Tuffs.
Eighteen-year-old Alex Tordoff received the Hubert Allfrey Trophy for his performance at the FEI Junior European Championships in Bialy Bor, Poland
Meanwhile earlier this year, Thomas Tulloch, 16, took the Jane Rook Trophy for being the highest placed rider in the GB squad at the FEI Pony European Championships in Malmö, Sweden.
In November, Will Furlong was given the Sir John Burder Trophy for his individual gold medal at the 2015 FEI Young Rider European Championships in Strzegom, Poland.
Other ERA award winners included Barbary Castle (favourite competiton venue), Helen West (favourite event organiser), Miranda Collett (favourite event secretary), Keith Watkins (favourite volunteer), Bicton (best use of social media by an event organiser) and Felicity Collins (best use of social media for an amateur rider).
Hosted by rider Jonty Evans, the ball was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in Winkfield.
The BE awards were presented by the organisation’s chief executive David Holmes.
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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.