Training dates - The Event Horse Owners Association

Event Horse Owners' Association honours
owners and riders at glittering award ceremony

MEMBERS of the Event Horse Owners' Association (EHOA) gathered in central London on Tuesday 28 October to celebrate the end of an action packed eventing season and honour the commitment of owners and riders at its annual awards and dinner.

Held for the second, consecutive year at the impressive Inner Temple in London's legal quarter, just under 200 eventing enthusiasts, including prizewinners, their friends and EHOA members, came together to mark the end of another great season for the sport.

Following a drinks reception, guests moved through to the main hall for a three course sit-down meal and, after the first course, Justin Llewellyn, this year's Master of Ceremonies, introduced Denise Lincoln, Chairman of the Event Horse Owners' Association, who welcomed members and guests and thanked all the EHOA's sponsors for their continued support before the announcement of the annual awards (see full details below).

After the awards, EHOA board member, Johnny Hustler, hosted a charity auction raising just under £8,000 for the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy and the EHOA. The evening finished on an entertaining and informative note with a speech by TV presenter and adventurer, Ben Fogle, who, along with James Cracknell and Ed Coats, is just about to depart on an epic race across Antarctica to the South Pole.

EHOA AWARD WINNERS:

PricewaterhouseCoopers Rider Awards: £1,000 and £500

(Presented by Clive Mackintosh from PricewaterhouseCoopers to candidates nominated by their owners)

These awards are made to riders aged between 22 and 30 who have recently set up on their own.

Winners: £1,000 award to Louisa Brassey and £500 award to Hayley Crofts

“I was amazed when I was told I had won,” said 23-year-old Louisa Brassey, who was put forward for the award by her owners, Margaret Silver and Sue Benson. “I had no idea that I had been nominated, so it really took me by surprise. I'm really touched that they've done this; it means a lot,” she added. Louisa, who graduated from Bristol University last year with a degree in Spanish and Business Studies, and has been solely responsible for nine horses at her Malmesbury base this season, decided that 2008 was the year to strike out on her own. “I thought ‘it's now or never' and went for it,” she said, adding, “Every morning when the alarm goes off I wonder what the hell I'm doing, but it's a great way of life and I'm extremely lucky to have the opportunity to give it a go.”

• Shearwater Owner Award ; Trophy and £500

(Presented by Jeremy Lawton, Managing Director, Shearwater Insurance)

This award goes to the owner of the horse that is registered at the beginning of the season as Grade 3 or 4 (0-21 points) and gains the most points in the season.

Winner: Ballyvooney , who started 2008 with 16 points and has won 84 points this year finishing on a total of 100, ridden by Angus Smales and owned by Tina Sharp .

“This was very unexpected, considering this is the horse's first training year,” said Torquay-based Tina Sharp, adding: “It's been an amazing year not least because we decided we weren't going to push the horse and, at eight, he was still quite green. The fact that he won so many points came as a bit of a shock . Angus Smales who trains Ballyvooney (Bertie) has done incredibly well.

“Ballyvooney was selected for the Pathway Scheme last year and we hope that he will go for Badminton in a couple of years time,” said Tina, who, when asked what she most enjoys about being an owner, replied: “I love the horses, I love the challenge and I love travelling to the all events around the UK.”

• SHEARWATER OWNER RIDER AWARD : £500

(Presented by Jeremy and Susan Lawton)

Winner: Victoria Rose Kerrison

Victoria is a great example of a rider who has made big sacrifices to be able to participate in a sport that she loves. Based near Holt in north Norfolk, Victoria rents her house out through English Country Cottages and lives in a mobile home so that she can finance her passion for eventing. The 46-year-old freelance instructor also works nights handling calls for a courier company to make ends meet. “I'm a typical, amateur rider who squeezes riding in around work,” says Victoria, who thoroughly enjoys competing at Intro and Pre-Novice level. “My ambition is to do a Novice and hopefully this award will help to finance the lessons I need to do that,” says the former hunt groom who trains with Ruth McMullen and Tina Ure.

• SHEARWATER MOST OWNER-FRIENDLY EVENT AWARD : £500

(Nominated by EHOA members and presented by Jeremy Lawton)

Winner: Little Downham , run by Tina and Robert Ure.

• MARTIN COLLINS INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP CARTOON

All owners of horses competing in this year's Intermediate Championship at the Gatcombe Festival received a bottle of champagne with a specially commissioned cartoon label. Every year, the original cartoon goes to the highest placed EHOA member.

(Presented by Martin Collins of Martin Collins International)

Winner: Zoe Warren whose horse Staying Cool ridden by Brook Staples came third.

• OWNER TROPHIES

(Trophies presented by Nick Wright of Darbys Solicitors)

These awards go to the owner registered for the first time and new to British Eventing whose horse has gained the most points in the season. Also to the owner whose horse, registered for the first time, has gained the most points.

The winners of both trophies were: Stuart and Karen Tinney , Kathy Ward and Peter O'Connell with Vettori who gained 196 points this season.

The striking grey Vettori is ridden and owned by Australian event rider, Stuart Tinney, and his wife, Karen, along with co-owners, Kathy Ward and Peter O'Connell.

The Tinneys, who have just returned to their New South Wales base after spending the eventing season in the UK following an outbreak of Equine Influenza in Australia, said: “We are delighted and honored to be receiving this award. Vettori is a super horse, with super owners, Kathy Ward and Pete O'Connell whom have been owners with us for 15 years.

“We all love Vettori; he is a great character with such an amazing jump, and a record to support that.

“It is such a wonderful finish for us and our owners to be part of the awards for owners. We also thank the EHOA for their fantastic support of owners, horses and their riders and, of course, for this award.”

• HUNTRIDGE PLAQUE

Presented to the owner of the horse that gains the most points in the season, the sire or dam of which is a full thoroughbred.

(Presented by Sharon Hunt on behalf of John Huntridge)

Winner: Mary King's Olympic ride, Call Again Cavalier (by Cavalier Royale, out of My Woodlands Lady), owned by Sue and Eddie Davies and Janette Chinn.

Winning owner, Sue Davies, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to win this award. We always knew he was going to be a good horse, but he's definitely surpassed our expectations.

“He's an absolute star and we love him so much. We hope that he will go on competing next year; there's no reason why he shouldn't, as he's very fit and keen to go.”

Annual Dinner and Awards

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