As we reflect on 2024, I had hoped that this review of the equestrian year would be able to reflect solely on the outstanding achievements of our athletes and horses across all disciplines.
Sadly, though, one story has dominated the headlines and highlights the tightrope that we in the media are on. As I write this we are still waiting for progress on the Charlotte Dujardin inquiry, but whatever the outcome, we have to be positive that out of bad will come good and that the sport as a whole can learn, show we care enormously for our animals and want to be seen in a positive light.
It was the last thing the IOC would have wanted in the build up and gives many a chance to say that equestrian sport no longer fits the modern-day Olympics. Our sport’s one absolute positive is that without having to contrive anything, men and women compete equally, which is something our administrators need to drum home to the IOC.
Looking at the positives from this year, what our teams achieved in the most wonderful and spectacular venue in Versailles was amazing.
The eventers took everything in their stride to defend the team title, with Laura Collett also securing individual bronze. For the showjumpers the level of expectation was different, but the performances of Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Harry Charles was nothing short of extraordinary. Seeing the coolness all three showed in the most testing of circumstances was to watch the three riders at the top of their game, dealing with the pressure as if it was nothing.
We have to give full credit to the dressage team, which was able to regroup to secure a team and an individual bronze. The way that Becky Moody stepped up left a lasting impression on all who were there.
Away from the Olympics, there were also plenty of highlights. Badminton marked the end of William Fox-Pitt’s career at the highest level, with his cross-country round regarded as one of his best ever, and the heart-warming return of Bubby Upton to finish 10th after serious injury.
Oliver Townend bookended his season with two CCI5* victories on US soil aboard different horses. He won his fourth Kentucky title with rising star mare Cooley Rosalent in the spring, returning in the autumn to land Maryland 5 Star aboard Ballagmor Class. It takes Oliver’s overall total of five-star wins to nine, and is a fourth at the level for the great Ballaghmor Class.
Ros Canter was crowned Burghley champion weeks after winning an Olympic team gold medal, Tom McEwen became world number one, and Caroline Harris scored her first five-star victory at Pau.
In showjumping, William Funnell’s love affair with the Hickstead Derby continued, winning for a record-breaking fifth time. Olli Fletcher proved he is a rider on the rise by securing gold at the young rider Europeans. And talking of young, I suggest Hollie Gerken is a name to keep on your radar, as the 14-year-old became the first rider in Horse of the Year Show’s history to win the leading pony showjumper, pony foxhunter and pony newcomers.
On the dressage front there was also much to be excited about. Lewis Robertson-Carrier was crowned national dressage champion in a nail-biting contest at Somerford aboard Diego V, a horse he has produced through the levels. Annabel Pidgley continues to impress and Abigail Gray is another to keep an eye on after her medals at the pony Europeans.
Britain’s para dressage team winning medals is now no longer guaranteed, as the quality has vastly improved across the board internationally, but it was great to see Georgia Wilson secure freestyle silver and for Natasha Baker, who only returned to competition in May, come away with an individual and freestyle bronze medals.
On waving farewell to 2024, I would also like to take time to remember those we have lost this year. Our hearts and thoughts are with the families and friends of these much-missed members of our equestrian community.
Hopefully many of you will be able to make it to our awards lunch on Wednesday, 18 December to celebrate the positives. My thanks go to our generous sponsors and supporters, without whom this would not have been possible.
The Kit Houghton Photo of the Year Award will also return following its successful debut last year – more information on the terms and how to enter are on the website (https://bema.org.uk/kit-houghton-award/).
I do hope you can make it to lunch and please do vote to select our various award winners as detailed in the accompanying email.
Rupert Bell