Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master heading to third place at the 2013 CIC 3 star Barbury International Horse Trials Photo: Libby Law
Leading international event rider and Marlborough based Rebecca Howard and her horse Riddle Master were last night crowned Canadian Equestrian of the Year and Canadian Bred Horse of the Year respectively at the Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala, held in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Equine Canada Annual Awards Gala, part of the Equine Canada Annual Convention, celebrates the Canadian equestrian accomplishments of 2013, recognising individuals who have made a significant impact in the Canadian equestrian industry.
Rebecca and Riddle Master consistently performed across the 2013 eventing calendar, finishing 3rd in the hotly contended CIC three star class at the Barbury International Horse Trials in July. Additionally, successful completetions at Badminton and their first Burghley finishing in 12th place at both competition's, earned Riddle Master a ranking of 13th place in the 2013 FEI World Horse Rankings.
From a young age Rebecca was found mostly around horses in her home town of Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Hungry to pursue a career in the sport of Eventing in 2001 she moved to America, basing herself and horses mainly on the East Coast. After the 2012 London Olympics, where Rebecca and Riddle Master represented Team Canada, they relocated to Tim and Jonelle Price's yard, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK, together with a growing stable of horses and owners.
On receiving the Doctor George Jacobsen Trophy for the Canadian Equestrian of the Year award, Rebecca commented:
" I am honoured to receive this award and would like to thank Equine Canada for this fabulous evening and for the recognition. I am also delighted for Caroline Blazely, who owns Rupert (Riddle Master) and has collected his Canadian Horse of the Year Award tonight. Caroline has been such an incredible support to me and believed in us from our outset. Furthermore, she is providing a further exciting opportunity for me, Rupert and Canada in 2014. In the Chinese Year of the horse, deemed to be' fortunate and magical', what better time to deliver something really exceptional, which I hope will be at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy this August".
