With six Badminton wins on six horses, not to mention countless championship medals, Lucinda Green is the hugely deserving winner of the 2020 H&H lifetime achievement award.
Former Badminton media director Julian Seaman, a former rival of Lucinda’s on the eventing circuit, presented her with the award, the last to be announced during this year’s three-part virtual ceremony.
“I’m very touched to win this,” she said. “What I’ve done with my life has been a huge and exciting journey with the help of so many people – there’s no way I could have done it without them. I’m just the lucky one who got my name out there.
“And my goodness we’ve had some fun. Heartbreak, too – for every one fabulous moment there are nine disappointments, but I have had plenty of fabulous moments and I’m so grateful to have this recognised on behalf of those wonderful people who helped make it happen.”
In a video created to mark her award, Lucinda charts her journey, from travelling to her riding lessons on the back of her nanny’s bicycle — “before the police stopped me and I had to take the bus” — to her first Badminton win on her “great love” Be Fair.
She remembers her many British team appearances and medals, the lessons that made her an eventing legend and her debt to her late trainer Pat Burgess, not to mention her top horses: Be Fair, Killaire, George, Regal Realm, Wideawake and Beagle Bay.
“What was common to all of them is they had a very, very special quality, which is hard to identify – it’s heart, it’s spirit, it’s wanting to do it for you,” she said.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
H&H Editor in Chief Sarah Jenkins added: “Six-time Badminton winner Lucinda Green has been a heroine to and inspiration for so many riders at all levels, and has given so much back to the sport – she’s also one of the nicest people you could meet, with time, charm and kindness for everyone.
“Lucinda is such a deserving winner of the H&H lifetime achievement award, and watching her interview with Julian Seaman reiterates quite how much Lucinda has achieved in the sport. She reminds us as well just what goes into creating the magical moments we so enjoy as spectators, heartbreak and all.
“She truly is remarkable – a superlative horsewoman and born storyteller – and it is an honour to be able to give her this award, which I know has pride of place by her TV!”
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
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
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
