2023 awards made at the National Convention

Alongside fascinating training and insight from a host of top dressage stars at the National Convention, the presentations were made for our annual awards and trophies recognising some outstanding achievements. 

Photo: Daydream Equine / Rose Lewis

Medal of Honour

This prestigious accolade recognises individuals who’ve made an outstanding contribution to the sport over a distinguished career and to reward long service to British Dressage.

Clive Halsall 

We were delighted to present the first Medal of Honour to a world renowned dressage official, as both a BD List 1 and FEI 5* judge. Clive has ridden nationally to Grand Prix level, internationally at small tour level, and has represented Great Britain at the FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses. In recent years, he has forged a highly successful judging career, a vocation which has taken him all across the world. Based in Lancashire, Clive has a passion for training too and travels extensively to train and run clinics, alongside his busy judging schedule.  He has also made a huge contribution to our Under 21 international teams, initially as Pony Trainer and currently as Coach Advisor alongside Peter Storr, which have resulted in ten medals at the FEI European Championships in the last three years alone.

Lotte Olsen 

Lotte has made a significant contribution to British Dressage over the years in a number of roles. As was one of the first Directors of British Dressage, Lotte served on the Board from 1998 to 2005, helping to provide much needed financial stewardship in the early days of the organisation.  More recently, she took on the position of Chair of the Eastern region for two terms, from 2015 to 2022, managing the committee alongside other commitments, including judging, stewarding and organising BD competitions. Lotte was a supportive and enthusiastic Chair, who made it her mission to visit every corner of the region, ensuring that all Eastern members felt included, represented and listened to. Lotte is still very much involved in the South & East in her roles as a List 2 Judge, steward and competitor and this autumn, Lotte has completed two terms as BD’s Nominated Director on the BEF Board – and we're immensely grateful for her contribution in this vital role.

Andrew Gardner (pictured below)

On day two we recognised another world-renowned and highly-respected official for British Dressage. Andrew’s contribution and commitment to the sport of dressage has been unwavering.  He was on the working group that led to the formation of British Dressage, serving on the Board between 2000 and 2006, before later going on to serve two terms on the FEI Dressage Committee between 2017 and 2021. In his role as a List 1 and FEI 5* judge, Andrew has been a member of countless ground juries and officiated at international events across the world, including the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, as well as FEI European and World Championships. Most recently, he has been appointed to the FEI Judges Supervisory Panel. Andrew has been an outstanding official and great ambassador for British Dressage.

Trish Gardiner

Our final recipient is former Olympic rider and List 1 judge Trish Gardiner, who competed at Grand Prix level for over 25 years and represented Great Britain at many international competitions. Trish enjoyed a long and successful career at the top, including 13 years as a regular in the British team between 1977 and 1990, competing in the Seoul Olympics in 1988 with her thoroughbred Wily Imp. Following her distinguished time in the saddle, Trish continued to make an active contribution to the sport as a List 1 judge and served on the BHS dressage committee in the years leading up to the formation of British Dressage in 1998. More recently, Trish has enjoyed a partnership with none other than Valegro, hacking out with the equine superstar as a regular visitor to Carl Hester’s yard.  This is long overdue recognition for one of the trailblazers of British Dressage.

Congratulations to all four recipients on receiving this award and for continuing to deliver outstanding service to the sport. 

The Lucan Trophy

Kindly donated by Mrs Kathryn Heappey, the Lucan Trophy goes to the highest placed British Pony rider in the Individual test at the European Championships.

Awarded to: Abigail Gray 

After taking over the reins from 2022 Lucan Trophy winner Mette Dahl, Abigail has enjoyed a superb debut season with the striking grey George Clooney B.S. At her first FEI European Championships, Abigail rode to a fantastic fifth place in the individual competition scoring 74.81%. She then went on to go one place higher in the Freestyle competition, narrowly missing out on the individual medal podium with 78.64%.

The Maureen Newall Trophy

Presented in memory of Maureen Newall who was Chief Pony Selector from 1998 – 2003, this trophy is awarded to the pony and rider combination gaining the highest percentage in their first international trip abroad in the Pony Team test.

Awarded to: Abigail Gray 

Abigail made a successful overseas debut at Le Mans CDI in April, achieving three top seven placings and a standout score of 74.10% in the Freestyle test.

The Trendell Trophy

Kindly donated by Mrs Christine Trendell, this trophy is awarded to the most successful Junior rider in the team test at the FEI Junior European Championships, held this year at Kronberg in Germany.

Awarded to: Myles Graham 

Myles made history this summer in joining a select group of talented young riders who have achieved individual medals at the FEI European Championships. With Caroline Bell’s British-bred mare, Myles rode to 8th place in the Team test with 72%, before going on to rise through the rankings in the Freestyle competition, earning Individual Bronze on 77.885%.

The BDSC Pony Trophy

Kindly donated by the BDSC Committee, this trophy is awarded to the Pony rider who, in the Selectors’ opinion, has produced the best performances at Premier League shows during 2023.

Awarded to: Sophia Games

Sophia campaigned successfully in 2023 at Pony level and earned a well-deserved spot on the Pony team at the FEI European Championships hosted in Le Mans with Steendieks Cadillac.

Pablo Picasso Trophy

Kindly donated by Penny and Fiona Bigwood, the trophy was commissioned to commemorate Fiona’s Junior/Young Rider horse, Pablo Picasso who made five European Championship appearances. On their behalf, it’s awarded to the highest placed British Young Rider in the team test at the European Championships.

Awarded to: Annabella Pidgley 

This year Annabella Pidgley became the first British Youth rider to win the title of European Champion in the Young Rider age category, securing two gold medals in the Individual and Freestyle competitions at the FEI Young Rider European Championships in Hungary. With her mother Sarah Pidgley’s Espe, Annabella was also instrumental to the Young Rider team success after placing first in the Team Test with 75.147%.

The Richmond Trophy

Kindly donated by the late Duke and Duchess of Richmond, this trophy is awarded to the highest placed Junior or Young Rider in Freestyle to Music class at the European Championships.

Awarded to: Annabella Pidgley 

After winning the team and individual tests, Annabella and Espe went on to win Freestyle Gold with an incredible score of 80.505%.

The Tyrell Trophy

Kindly donated by Lady Caroline Tyrrell, the trophy goes to the highest placed British-bred mare competing at the National Championships in 2023. 

Awarded to: Hawtins San Floriana (pictured) 

Hawtins San Floriana is an 11 year old British Hanoverian registered mare owned by Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, and bred by Judith Davis. The talented dark bay by San Amour and out of Hawtins Floriana (by Florestan) was champion in the Intermediate II class at Somerford, piloted to 77.88% by rider Charlotte Dujardin. We were delighted that San Floriana's breeder Judith Davis was able to collect the award on the behalf of Carl and Charlotte, and then watch her winning stock in action in the final session of the day at the National Convention.