Vote for your Animal Health Trust award winners

Since its launch over 20 years ago, the Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards have marked the achievements of riders, owners, trainers and horses from all areas of equestrianism.

Showjumping, dressage, eventing, racing, veterinary care and voluntary service have all been celebrated and each year a ‘special award’ is given to an individual, or team, who have made an impact during the past 12 months.

During 2010 Laura has continued to achieve outstanding performances in international competition to be ranked 3rd in the world (FEI World Dressage Rankings), the highest place ever achieved by a British rider. Having been instrumental in winning the 2009 European team silver medal and individual bronze, she went on the break all British records at grand prix. She was recently crowned National Champion before flying to Kentucky to represent Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games, where she won three silver medals.

Sophie Wells, 20, made history this year in being the first ever para-equestrian dressage rider to represent Great Britain on an able-bodied team. Despite her disability, Sophie was selected to ride for Great Britain at the European Young Rider Championships in Kronberg, Germany where she was the second highest placed British rider. She is also a seasoned campaigner on the senior British Para Dressage Squad, winning three gold medals at last years European Championships, and represents Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Jane Goldsmith has been a leading light in the world of Para Equestrian Dressage and in the last year was recognised by the FEI who awarded her the 5* Judge status (previously known as ‘O’ judge). She joins a group of only 15 worldwide; a remarkable achievement given she only started judging in 2005. Her expertise in para-equestrian has seen her officiate in Paralympic and World Championships, as well as lead the selection panel for Great Britain. Her guidance to Team GBR has been invaluable in them achieving their dominant status, remaining unbeaten in European, World and Paralympic team championships. Along with her husband John, Jane runs the Para Dressage Training Trust (PDDT), a charity which supports riders with a disability through training support and provision of horses. They currently own three horses, two of which have helped riders medal at World and Paralympic level.

Margaret volunteers at BE events nearly every weekend of the season and has been doing so for at least the last 20 years. She is primarily a fence judge volunteer coordinator for numerous events, organising upwards of 200 volunteers for a single day of competition and then takes care of them during their stint to make sure they are happy and comfortable. To do this she has to build and maintain relationships with, and the enthusiasm of, a very large group of people so she can call on them when needed. This takes a great deal of time and effort in her own time. She is truly impressive and her cakes are the stuff of legend!

Rosemary is the owner breeder of Opposition Buzz, who helped Great Britain win team gold at the 2010 World Equestrian Games with her rider Nicola Wilson. By Fleetwater Opposition out of Rosemary’s own Jungle Bee, Opposition Buzz is hugely popular with eventing fans as his enthusiasm on the cross-country more than makes up for his slightly unauthodox jumping style. Rosemary owns a further three homebred event horses, who are all showing promise for the future. Rosemary is a life member of British Eventing.

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