Outstanding achievements recognised at BD Presents

Alongside a day filled with inspiring insight from top presenters Becky Moody and Sophie Wells at our flagship training event BD Presents, we presented our annual awards and trophies to recognise and honour some exceptional achievements.

Medal of Honour

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

Nereide Goodman

We were delighted to present Nereide (pictured above) with the BD Medal of Honour to recognise her dedication and commitment to British Dressage. She has been instrumental in the sport across a number of roles, including as a List 1 Judge, a successful rider, trainer, organiser and pioneer. Together with her husband John, she founded Wellington Riding in 1974 and ran the popular Hampshire venue for 30 years, allowing its transformation into a much-loved equestrian training and high-profile dressage centre. She went on to introduce the very first national Dressage to Music competitions in 1980, leading to the first championship opportunity for riders performing freestyle tests to music.

Nereide continued to innovate into the 2000s, and in 2011 founded the popular online dressage platform Dressage Anywhere together with Ruth Chappell and Lucinda Freeman, offering a chance for more riders to experience dressage in a new form.

Phillip Cheetham

Phillip (pictured above), like Nereide, has been an inspiring organiser, displaying commitment and innovation which has allowed British Dressage activity to thrive in the South West of England. As Equine Director at Hartpury University & College, Phillip has been responsible for the growth of equestrian events at the centre, allowing it to become one of the country’s finest venues. Under his leadership, Hartpury has played host to numerous prestigious national and international events, recently including the FEI Junior and Young Rider Europeans in 2022; whilst the venue was also the home of the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships for fifteen outstanding years.

Through his position on the Sport Operations committee, Phillip continues to support BD initiatives and drive change in his role as organiser. Hartpury has recently become a flagship Sunflower venue, helping us to provide greater support to those with hidden disabilities. Phillip has also been a committed FEI Para Steward, officiating at countless major international championships, including the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Congratulations to both of our 2024 Medal of Honour recipients on receiving this award and delivering outstanding service to the sport.

The Maureen Newall Trophy

Presented in memory of Maureen Newall who was Chief Pony Selector from 1998 - 2005, this trophy is awarded to the combination earning the highest Pony Team test placing on their first international trip abroad in 2024.

Awarded to: Darcey-Blaze Marcus

Riding the 15-year-old mare Ella (Caesar 171 x Ballarena), Darcy-Blaze (15) made a successful overseas debut at Compiegne CDI in May, achieving a standout score of 69% in the Pony Team test which earned her a superb sixth place.

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 Opglabbeek, Sentower Park in Belgium.

Awarded to: Myles Graham 

Following his success last year, earning eighth in the Team test with 72% on board Caroline Bell’s Nibeley Union Hit (Nibeley Union Jack x Sandro Hit), Myles and the 17-year-old mare returned this year to place sixth, scoring 72.18% for their Team test. This is the second year in a row that Myles, aged 17, has collected the Trendell Trophy.

BD Youth Academy Outstanding Achievement Award

Kindly donated by the British Dressage Supporters Club, this award is awarded annually to the Academy Athlete who has shown the most outstanding performance or progress within the year.

Awarded to: Emma Horgan

19-year-old Emma, from Kent, was selected for the Sport England funded National Academy programme in both 2023 and 2024. This year she has competed successfully at Young Rider level and Prix St Georges on board her 12-year-old gelding Hennessy T (Vivaldi x Havidoff).

The Graduate Trophy

Kindly donated by the Butling family, the Graduate Trophy is presented to the rider in their last year of under 21 competition who, in the Selectors’ opinion, has made the most progress in 2024.

Awarded to: Hermione Tottman

2024 European Championships Team Bronze medallist Hermione has had an unbelievably successful final year of U21s. She concluded her time in the FEI Young Rider category in October on a high as she took dual wins in the Team and Individual tests at Wellington CDI riding Exquisite (Lord Loxley x Wabiola L).

We were delighted to welcome Sam Rowlands to present the trophy to Hermione on behalf of the Butling family.

Pablo Picasso Trophy

Kindly donated by Penny and Fiona Bigwood, this 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 this year’s European Championships.

Awarded to: Isobel Lickley

Isobel Lickley and the 13-year-old stallion Nymphenburg’s First Ampere (Ampere x Weltruhm) placed tenth with 70.58% in St Margarethen in Austria this summer, at their debut FEI European Championships as a combination. The pair also placed 13th with a score of 69.88% for their Individual test.

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 the Freestyle to Music class at the FEI European Championships.

Awarded to: Myles Graham

Following his success placing sixth in the Team test on 72.18% and seventh in the Individual test on 72%, Myles concluded his week at the Junior Europeans with sixth in the Junior Freestyle with an impressive score of 74.78% on board Caroline Bell’s Nibeley Union Hit.

We were delighted to welcome Margaret Winn, the former administrator of international dressage at Goodwood, to make the presentation on behalf of the late Duke and Duchess.

The Tyrell Trophy

Kindly donated by Lady Caroline Tyrrell, the Tyrell Trophy is presented to the highest placed British-bred mare competing at the LeMieux National Championships. 

Awarded to: High Hoes Esquisse

High Hoes Esquisse is a five-year-old Oldenburg mare, owned and ridden by Lauren Burrows. The talented young bay by Escalito and out of Liza Minnelli (by Loudabilis) won the Prelim Silver champion title at Somerford with a score of 77.88%. We were delighted that High Hoes Esquisse's breeder Nicky Callam was able to collect the award on behalf of Lauren. 

Worshipful Company of Saddlers

Kindly donated by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, a beautifully crafted leather headcollar was awarded to the winning para rider from each grade in the Equissage Pulse Para Gold Summer Championships, held as part of the LeMieux National Championships at Somerford Park.

Awarded to:

• Grade 1 - Susanna Wade who took the win on board Ami Mclean’s Premier Royal Mint (Royal Hit x Oleander) with a top score of 70%.
• Grade 2 - Jemima Green who impressed with 66.33%, riding her 6-year-old gelding Fantabulous.
• Grade 3 - Katie Reilly who claimed the top spot with a score of 67.67% riding Impulz W (Wynton x Rubinstein I).
• Grade 4 - Fiona Maynard and Denver IX (Dresemann x Hauptstutbuch Ziara) who won with a fantastic score of 69.23%.
• Grade 5 - Alice Begg who earned 67.76% with Gluckauf (Grand Cru x Wicky).

Congratulations to all of our 2024 award winners and thanks go to Jill Day, Becky Moody, Sophie Wells, Margaret Winn and Sam Rowlands who attended to make presentations.