Thursday, 19 December 2024
British Equestrian has honoured leading equestrian figures for their services to the industry. Three individuals were presented with the British Equestrian Medal of Honour by the federation’s Chair, Fields Wicker-Miurin OBE FKC, and CEO, Jim Eyre. The presentation took place in the main arena at the London International Horse Show, during the afternoon performance on Wednesday 18 December.
The medals were presented to:
The British Equestrian Medal of Honour is awarded to those recognised as having completed acts of international endeavour in relation to equestrian sport, and for outstanding services to the Federation or its Member Bodies.
Mari Durward-Akhurst made her Paralympic debut earlier this summer, realising a lifelong dream in the process. Her smile as she came down the centre line at the Chateau de Versailles venue for the first time, riding Di Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg, told the story of just how much the selection meant – topped only by the moment when she took to the podium to collect a Grade 1 Freestyle bronze medal. At the time, Mari and Athene held the World Number One ranking across all five para dressage classification grades, having formed their partnership in 2023.
Joyce Head is the recently retired Chief Para Selector for British Dressage. She had held a position on the selection panel since 2015, taking on the Chief Selector role in 2021. During her time as a para selector, British athletes won 54 medals – 19 of them gold – across three Paralympic Games, two World Championships and four European Championships. She has ridden and officiated to a high level with British Dressage, including as a List 2 judge, and has been a member of the ground jury panel at all levels for several major championships. Previously, Joyce has been a volunteer, the Judges Representative for British Dressage’s Central region and a key figure in judge training on a national scale.
Becky Moody made her senior championship debut at Paris 2024, after being called up from the travelling reserve position at the eleventh hour under exceptional circumstances. Becky and her homebred horse, Jagerbomb, captured hearts the world over while in Paris, thanks to their harmonious performances, obvious enjoyment of the sport and genuine affection for each other. They produced two personal best scores, which was enough to secure team bronze for Team GB and an eighth-place finish in the Grand Prix Freestyle.
A further four Medals of Honour will be awarded in the spring to showjumping athlete Harry Charles, eventing steward and event organiser Nicky Salmon, Badminton Horse Trials Event Director Jane Tuckwell and former British Equestrian Chair Malcolm Wharton CBE.