British Eventing Volunteer Awards 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The BE AGM was the venue for the BE Volunteer of the Year Awards, announced by Mike Etherington-Smith, BE Sport Director and kindly presented by Hugh Thomas, Director of The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Awarded to an outstanding volunteer who goes out of their way to make a difference at an event.
Winner: Pat Hughes
Pat from Oxfordshire has been helping at events for over 20 years. Her volunteering days go back to the start of Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, but Pat also helps out regularly at Great Tew, Blenheim and many other events.
YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
For an event volunteer under the age of 25, who makes an extraordinary or innovative contribution to the sport.
Winner: Francis Bere
Fourteen year old Francis Bere from Somerset is a well known young face on the eventing circuit and is renowned for always having a smile on his face whatever the weather or job!
Francis’ moment came at Smiths Lawn Horse Trials this year when he jumped into the lake after a horse missed the step at the water jump and headed for the middle of the lake. The water was extremely cold, but Francis swam the entire length of the lake and managed, with help, to guide the horse out.
FENCE JUDGES OF THE YEAR in Association with The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials
The Fence Judges of the year win the chance to fence judge at Badminton in 2009.
Winners: Bob & Mary Chippendale
Bob and Mary Chippendale have been fence judging for the last 12 years and regard it as their day job after both having retired. Bob used to work as a buyer for Bird’s Eye and Fisons, whilst Mary was a physiotherapist. They both now live in Bath.
They decided to become fence judges having been inspired after regular visits to Badminton and Burghley.
They first started as fence judges at Kilmington with the Lissacks and they now judge at numerous events, including West Wilts.
At the events, Bob usually looks after radio communication and Mary takes charge of the paperwork and stopwatch.
BE Awards
The BE Awards for outstanding contributions to the sport were also announced.
Roland Clarke – Roland ran Borde Hill with Jenny Nolan for many years and after a short break, he teamed up with Bill Allen to run it for the last 3 years, where he is also President. Roland also runs the South East Eventer’s league and organizers their Ball. Roland has also been a reporter for Eventing magazine for the last 20 years.
Bunny Maitland-Carew – Bunny has been the long-standing host of Thirlestane Castle International Horse Trials. Thirlestane has hosted BE events for 25 years and in this their anniversary year, they hosted the European Championships for Junior riders with great success. BE would like to extend its thanks and appreciation to Bunny and everybody at Thirlestane for the great support they have given to the sport of eventing.
David Merrett – David has been the Chairman of Selectors for the Young Riders for 11 years. He was also a senior selector from 1992 – 1996 and was a JRN coordinator. He still remains involved in British Eventing as a Technical Advisor.
Ginnie Keen – Ginnie has been the Chair of the Pony Selectors for over 10 years and the success that these teams has achieved shows the skills, determination and dedication of Ginnie. Many of Ginnie’s pony team riders have gone on to become senior team riders, including Oliver Townend and Kitty Boggis.
Viv McConechy – Viv is one of British Eventing’s most committed members and has been involved in the sport for a number of years. Viv is responsible for arranging all the jump judges for the 3 Ayrshire events; Eglinton, Auchinleck and Turnberry.
Viv has her own database of volunteers and contributes a vast amount of knowledge and enthusiasm to the sport. Viv’s family firm also provides local event sponsorship.
Helen Mann – Helen has been a Fence Judge Steward for over 20 years at many events held in the South West, including Gatcombe. Helen has made many friends in the sport and shows great willing to help others.
Derek and Helen Brown - Fence Judges for many years at events in the South West, especially Gatcombe. Their support of eventing through their help is truly appreciated.
Mike Etherington-Smith announced a special commendation for Dr John Inman, for his outstanding service to equestrianism and for his efforts at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials where he has been Chief Medical Officer since 1987.
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Eventing
