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British Equestrian honours athletes and industry figures at Badminton Horse Trials

Sunday, 08 May 2022

On Friday 6 May, British Equestrian honoured leading equestrian figures for their services to the industry. Five eventing athletes and two vets were presented with the British Equestrian Medal of Honour by the federation’s Chair, Malcolm Wharton, at a reception held in the Directors’ Tent following the culmination of the dressage phase at Badminton Horse Trials, presented by Mars Equestrian.

The nominated athletes were all medallists from last summer’s Olympic Games and European Championships, including eventing team gold medallists Laura Collett and Tom McEwen. Together with Oliver Townend, who will receive his medal at a later date, the pair won Team GB’s first eventing team gold since 1972, while Tom also took an individual silver medal with Toledo de Kerser.

Kitty King and Georgina ‘Piggy’ March were part of the gold medal-winning Eventing European Championship team that competed in Avenches, Switzerland in September. Team mates Nicola Wilson and Ros Canter have received medals previously. Piggy also won individual silver with Brookfield Inocent, while compatriot Sarah Bullimore took individual bronze with Corouet.

Celia Marr, veterinary associate at Rossdales, is the voluntary Chair of British Equestrian’s Equine Infectious Diseases Action Group (EIDAG), which comprises industry leader in equine medicine and infectious disease, and aims to help those in the industry who oversee and organise equestrian activities to play an essential role in mitigating risk. She led the group through the European cases of EHV-1 in early 2020, and their advice and protocols helped safeguard a major outbreak on British shores. Her leadership has also overseen the publication of the group’s internationally recognised ‘Advice Notes for British Equestrian Member Bodies and Organisers of Horse Gatherings’.

Jane Nixon has been a veterinary surgeon for over 40 years with a key interest in young and performance horse development, and has acted in a number of consultant vet roles across the disciplines, including with British Breeders and British Dressage. In her volunteer role as a British Equestrian Board Director, she was key in setting up the High Health Steering Group and is a member of EIDAG. Jane is currently chairman of The Showing Council and The British Horse Foundation.

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. 

A second presentation will take place at Royal Windsor Horse Show next week.