Wednesday, 17 December 2025
British Equestrian has honoured Dianne Luke for over 30 years of service to the sport of endurance by awarding her with our highest accolade, the British Equestrian Medal of Honour.
The medal was presented by the federation’s Chair, Fields Wicker-Miurin OBE FKC, and Chief Executive, Jim Eyre, in the main arena at the London International Horse Show, during the afternoon performance on Friday 19 December.
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.
Dianne has devoted much of her life to the sport of endurance, first as a competitor and later as an event organiser and official. After retirement from a career in teaching, she put herself through the FEI Endurance Judges qualifications at her own expense – she is now the only Level 4 technical delegate and judge in Great Britain, and one of very few women in the role internationally.
As a result, Dianne has represented Great Britain on the world stage at various championships over the years as a Foreign Judge, Technical Delegate or President of the Ground Jury, where she is relied upon to give fair but correct application of the rules. She is highly respected throughout the endurance scene, both at home and abroad, with her advice and guidance regularly sought out.
Alongside this, Dianne has organised top level endurance riding events, most notably the Kings Forest ride in Suffolk, for over 30 years. She freely gives up her time to support and mentor new judges, officials and other ride organisers, ensuring the longevity of the sport she loves, and has been on numerous endurance committees at local and national level.
In addition to the dedication and commitment to international level endurance riding, Dianne also finds time to support her local Riding Group and puts on events for them in her area.
“I’m incredibly proud to be awarded the Medal of Honour and delighted that endurance has been recognised,” said Dianne after the ceremony. “To be seen alongside the Olympic disciplines is brilliant and I’m honoured to be the vessel that’s been chosen to represent endurance.
“I started off with riding organising. Because I wanted to find out what I needed to do to make the ride as good as possible, I did a stewards course, followed by a judges course, followed by a technical delegates course, then went through the FEI pathway. As I got more and more qualified, I started working abroad and soon knew exactly what I needed to do to make Kings Forest the ride it’s become.”
A further two Medals of Honour will be presented next year to former British eventing Chef d’Equipe and Chair for Burghley Horse Trials Malcolm Wallace and eventing official and ‘Queen of the North’ Fiona Muirhead.