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Great Riders and Horses Inducted Into The British Horse Society Hall of Fame
British Horse Society President Noel Edmonds said: "I am honoured to be able to reveal the new laureates for the BHS's Equestrian Hall of Fame. Each has made a remarkable contribution to the horse world and won the affection and loyalty of people who love horses." The laureates were selected by a panel chaired by Chairman Patrick Print FBHS and also comprising Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer, Michael Clayton, Lucy Higginson, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Michael Mac. The panel considered a large number of nominations made by members of the public. Two of the new laureates, Lee Pearson and John Whitaker, and five of the laureates who were admitted to the Hall of Fame in July, are today to collect certificates to mark their induction at a luncheon, sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers, at the Cavalry and Guards Club, Piccadilly, London.
Lee Pearson said: "It's a great honour. The moment I think my life is getting back to normality something wonderful and surreal like this happens. It feels unbelievable to get an award for taking part in the sport you love. It is also great for a Paralympic rider to be recognised in this way." Members of the public can still cast their votes to nominate equestrians and horses as laureates in the BHS Equestrian Hall of Fame. Suggestions should be emailed to HallofFame@bhs.org.uk. BIOGRAPHIES: Pippa Funnell MBE Pippa won her first European title in 1999, and soon became a regular member of the British Three-Day Eventing team, winning three European Team Gold medals, Olympic Team Silver in Sydney and Team Silver and Individual Bronze at the Athens Olympics. Lucinda Green MBE In a sparkling career, Lucinda helped Britain to win the Olympic Team Silver Medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. She has been Eventing World Champion and twice European Champion and six times Badminton winner. Carl Hester Dressage star Carl became the youngest-ever rider to represent Britain when he made his debut at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992. He represented Britain at the Sydney Olympics, and he has more than 30 national championship titles to his name. Lee Pearson MBE Lee's remarkable career includes winning three gold medals at the Paralympics in Athens and another three golds at the Sydney Paralympics. He also won the National Elementary Dressage Championship against able-bodied riders. John Whitaker MBE In a long and distinguished career, John has represented Britain at five Olympics, winning an Individual Silver and two Team Silver medals. At the European Championships he won Team Gold three times and Individual Gold and Team Silver four times and two Individual Silver Medals. HORSES Arko III Arko III has enjoyed great success with Nick Skelton, representing Britain at the European Championships and the Athens Olympics. Arko III won a clutch of Grand Prix and, in 2004, was named the BSJA's International Horse of the Year. Primmore's Pride Primmore's Pride became the first horse to take all three four-star titles consecutively. With his rider Pippa Funnell, he has romped to victory at Badminton, Burghley and Lexington Horse Trials, and helped Pippa to pick up an Individual Bronze and Team Silver medal at the Athens Olympics. Shear H2O One of the rides of Olympic Gold medallist Leslie Law, Shear H2O has achieved huge success. He helped Leslie to Team Silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and Team Gold at the 2001 European Championships. When he retired in September this year, he had amassed a total of 1,871 British Eventing points making him the second most successful Event horse ever (after King William). The BHS Hall of Fame Laureates announced in July 2005: PEOPLE: Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal HRH The Princess Royal, The British Horse Society's President from 1999-2003, was European Eventing Champion and a member of the British Eventing team at the Montreal Olympics, 1976. Colonel Sir Michael Ansell Colonel Ansell was the architect of Britain's post-war equestrian revival, chairman of The British Show Jumping Association for 20 years, and the first president of the British Equestrian Federation. George Bowman George Bowman was Carriage Driving British National Champion 19 times - a remarkable record. David Broome David won the King George V Cup a record five times, represented Britain at four Olympic Games, winning two Individual Bronze medals in 1960 and 1968, and won an Individual Gold Medal at the Men's World Championships in 1970 on Beethoven. Cynthia Haydon Cynthia was Britain's leading Whip in the post-war years of the 20th century. Lorna Johnstone Lorna was the oldest female Olympic competitor ever, competing at Dressage at the age of 70 at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Virginia Elliot Ginny Elliot won double Individual Olympic Bronze and Team Silver for Eventing - at the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics (1984 and 1988). Ginny also won Burghley five times (in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1989) - two of them European Championships - and won at Badminton three times, in 1985, 1989 and 1993. Colonel Harry Llewellyn Colonel Llewellyn was an Olympic Gold medallist on Foxhunter at the Helsinki Olympics. Richard Meade OBE Richard won Olympic Team Gold in Eventing in 1968 and 1972 and also gained individual victory in 1972. Anna Sewell As well as writing the classic novel Black Beauty, Anna campaigned for equine welfare in the 19th century and was responsible for getting the bearing rein banned. Harvey Smith A show jumping legend. Harvey represented Britain at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and the Munich Olympics in 1972, and won the British Jumping Derby at Hickstead four times. Pat Smythe Pat was the first lady show jumper to achieve popularity among British public and won a Team Bronze medal at the Stockholm Olympics. Sheila Wilcox Sheila was the first UK lady eventer to achieve major success at international level and won the Badminton Horse Trials for three consecutive years. Dorian Williams Dorian was the first major equestrian commentator on BBC Television to capture mass audiences, and greatly popularised the sports in post-war Britain. Brenda Williams Brenda Williams, also known as Mrs VDS Williams, was a pioneer of British Dressage and chairman of the Pony Club in the 1930s. HORSES: Be Fair Won Badminton with Lucinda Green in 1973. Cornishman V Won Double Olympic Team Gold in Eventing - in 1968 with Richard Meade and in 1972 with Mary Gordon-Watson. Doublet Won Burghley three-day event in 1971, when it was the European Championships, with HRH Princess Anne (now HRH The Princess Royal). Dutch Courage Bronze medallist at the World Equestrian Games. Foxhunter Took Olympic Gold in show jumping at the Helsinki Olympics when ridden by Colonel Harry Llewellyn. High & Mighty Won Badminton in 1957 and 1958 with Sheila Wilcox. King's Warrior Triple winner of the Horse of the Year Show Champion Show Hunter class. Merely a Monarch Winner of Burghley and the Badminton Horse Trials. Milton The only horse outside of racing to win more than £1 million. Penwood Forge Mill Won European Championships, King George V Gold Cup and the Horse and Hounds Cup within six days. Priceless Won Team Silver and Individual Bronze in Eventing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Sefton A Household Cavalry horse who survived the IRA bombing in London in 1982. Stroller The only pony to compete at international level among horses and win consistently, including an Olympic silver medal with his owner-rider Marion Mould.
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