Prestigious awards allocated at London CDI-W

Alongside outstanding competition at the 2024 London International Horse Show, several stars of the sport took to the arena to collect prestigious awards from both British Dressage and British Equestrian.

International Champions of Great Britain Trophy

Lottie Fry and the Van Olst’s extraordinary stallion Glamourdale have been named International Champions of Great Britain for a remarkable third consecutive year. Ahead of the CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle at the 2024 London International Horse Show, Lottie, along with Gertjan and Anne Van Olst, took to the stage to receive the British Dressage International Champions of Great Britain Trophy. The accolade, awarded to the highest-placed combination at the respective annual  Championship, cements Lottie and Glamourdale’s legacy as one of the most remarkable partnerships in British Dressage history.

The duo’s performances over the past year have once again set them apart, earning them this prestigious trophy after an exceptional season on the global stage. Lottie’s g performance with Glamourdale made history in Paris, where she secured the bronze medal with a score of 88.971% in the freestyle, making her the third British rider to win an individual Olympic medal. Additionally, Lottie and Glamourdale led Team GB to its fourth consecutive Olympic team medal. Competing under immense pressure as the final British combination to perform, the pair delivered a breathtaking test, and their outstanding score of 79.483% was just enough to clinch team bronze.

British Dressage Chief Executive Jason Brautigam made the presentation in the London ExCel Arena ahead of a dazzling evening of freestyle competition. This was not the pair's only win that evening - they went on to triumph in the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle qualifier, taking the win with an incredible score of 86.645%.

BEF Medal of Honour

Coinciding with Lottie’s achievements being recognised at the 2024 London International Horse Show, three leading dressage figures were presented with the British Equestrian Medal of Honour by the Federation’s Chair, Fields Wicker-Miurin OBE FKC, and CEO Jim Eyre.  Each year, this award recognises individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the equestrian industry, the Federation and its Member Bodies.

Mari Durward-Akhurst achieved a lifelong dream this last summer, making her Paralympic debut at the stunning Chateau de Versailles venue and taking to the podium to claim the Grade I Freestyle bronze medal aboard Di Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg. At the time, Mari and Athene were ranked World Number One across all para dressage grades, having only formed a partnership a year earlier in 2023.

Joyce Head, recently retired as Chief Para Selector for British Dressage, has been instrumental in British para-dressage. Since joining the selection panel in 2015 and becoming Chief Selector in 2021, Joyce oversaw an impressive 54-medal haul from British athletes, including 19 golds, across three Paralympic Games, two World Championships, and four European Championships. A skilled rider, List 2 judge, and ground jury member at top-level events, Joyce has also been a dedicated volunteer, a Judges Representative, and a leader in national judge training.

Becky Moody made an unforgettable senior championship debut at Paris 2024 after stepping up as a last-minute replacement from the reserve position. Becky and her homebred Jagerbomb captured hearts worldwide with their evident joy for the sport and bond with each other. Their efforts produced two personal best scores, earning Team GB a bronze medal 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.

Congratulations to all recipients, especially to those representing British Dressage with great dedication and commitment.

Photo: Jess Photography / British Dressage
Photo: British Equestrian / Jon Stroud Media