Dani Evans and Smart Time - second in U25 CCI3* at Bramham
The 18th Event Horse Owners Association (EHOA) Annual Dinner hosted the 2015 British Eventing Awards in London on Monday 2nd November. The dinner was appropriately held in the Saddlers Hall thanks to Hugh Thomas, Event Director of Badminton Horse Trials and soon to become Master of this ancient Livery company
The first Award presented was to the winner of the Fairfax Britannia League, presented by Nigella Hall, League founder and Vanessa Fairfax, sponsor of the League. The Fairfax Britannia League was launched to recognise the talent of British riders and their horses as combinations at three star level. The League is only for riders who haven't registered a result under the British flag at Senior Championship level at FEI European Championships, World Equestrian Games or in Olympic Games.
The award and prizes were presented to the winner Dani Evans with Mrs Luana Edge’s Smart Time by Nigella Hall, League founder and Vanessa Fairfax, sponsor of the League; Dani was also third in the League with Mrs Vanessa Watson’s Raphael II. Smart Time’s owner, Mrs Luana Edge received the Britannia League bronze for owning the leading horse.
In second place was Flora Harris with Mrs Caroline Harris and Ms Rebecca Salt’s Bayano. Flora and Bayano won the CCI3* at the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials and received a Fairfax girth plus £3,000 for her second place.
The Future Talent Two Star League was launched by British Eventing in 2015 as a new initiative aimed at identifying talented horses nine years of age or under ridden by British riders at two star level. The winner of the inaugural League was Daisy Berkeley, with Strike Smartly, owned by Fred and Penny Barker. Both the rider and owner won £2,500 each and Mrs Penny Barker was presented with a Bronze.
The Calcutta Light Horse Trophy was awarded to the owner of the leading horse at the end of the season. This year that honour went to Wesko ridden by Tim Price and the award was presented to owner Christina Knudsen and the Wesko Syndicate.
Edwina Phipps and Summer High topped the hotly contested league table, for the BE Leading Foundation Points Leading Owner this year. Summer High is Edwina’s only horse which she started competing with back in 2012.
Finally the Wide Awake Trophy, which is awarded to the owner of the leading British bred horse in the season was presented to Trish Rickards, the owner of Classic Moet. Classic Moet, bred by Elain Hepworth came 5th at Burghley, and 2nd at the Open Championships at The Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe and finished the end of season rankings in 5th place. Unfortunately, Trish could not be at the dinner to receive the trophy so Nigella Hall received it on her behalf.
