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Princess Anne given Lifetime Achievement Award

BEMA Chair Rupert Bell presents Princess Anne with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her enormous contribution to equestrian sport

(main image Peter Nixon, other images Peter Hogan).

Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal was honoured with the British Equestrian Media Association’s (BEMA) Lifetime Achievement award at the 2024 London International Horse Show.

The 2024 BEMA awards, held in partnership with Agria during a celebratory lunch at the show on Wednesday (18 December), recognised outstanding achievements by British equestrians.

Sporting legends and rising stars were among those to be presented with accolades. Princess Anne was named as the Lifetime Achievement winner during the lunch, and presented with the award by BEMA chairman and broadcaster Rupert Bell in the main arena during Wednesday’s evening performance.

“The Princess Royal is a true champion of all things equestrian,” said Rupert. 

“It was an honour to present Her Royal Highness with this award in recognition of her achievements as a rider and her enormous contribution to equestrian sport and the horse world.”

Princess Anne was crowned European eventing champion at Burghley in 1971 aged 21, the same year in which she was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Individual and team silver medals followed at the 1975 Europeans at Luhmühlen in Germany, and in 1976, the princess made her Olympic debut in Montreal aboard Goodwill.

Alongside her sporting career, Princess Anne has been a huge support to the horse world in many other ways, including serving as FEI president from 1986 to 1994.

Her involvement in equestrianism also includes holding presidencies of the Riding for the Disabled Association, World Horse Welfare and the British Olympic Association. Her love of horses is also reflected through her patronages.

‘Outstanding talent and achievements’

Becky Moody was voted equestrian of the year and presented with the BEMA trophy, for helping Britain to dressage team bronze after stepping up to make her senior championship debut at the last minute in Paris.

BEMA Chair Rupert Bell presents Becky moody with the Equestrian of the Year Trophy

William Funnell’s record fifth Hickstead Derby win was voted BEMA moment of the year. Young rider showjumping European individual gold medallist Oliver Fletcher, 21, received the Worshipful Company of Saddlers’ prize for the best under-25 rider.

BEMA Treasurer Lynne Reed presents William Funnell with the BEMA Moment of the Year Award
BEMA Vice Chair presents Olli Fletcher Worshipful Company of Saddlers Award for the best Under-25 rider of the year.

Much-medalled event rider and 14-times CCI5* winner William Fox-Pitt, who announced his retirement from top-level competition at Badminton, was presented with the outstanding contribution award.

Kate Green presents William Fox-Pitt with BEMA's Outstanding Achievement Award
Agria Marketing Director Sam Agha Presents Sophie Christiansen with the Para Dressage Rider of the Year award

The para dressage accolade, sponsored by Agria, was awarded to Sophie Christiansen, who this year called time on her 20-year sporting career in the saddle during which she won 30 medals.

The Kit Houghton Photo of the Year prize, sponsored by Ariat, went to Julian Porch, for his snap of Badminton winners Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier enjoying their lap of honour.

Kit Houghton presents Steph with the Ariat Kit Houghton Photographer of the Year award on behalf of Julian Portch

“The 2024 BEMA awards celebrated the outstanding talent and achievements of British riders. It was wonderful to re-live so many highlights, both from this year and over our winners’ sporting careers,” said Rupert.

“A huge thank you to our winning riders for joining us, and to our marvellous sponsors for making the lunch and awards such a success.”

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