Honours and awards
Queen’s Award Nominations
8th March 2010
Queens Award nominations
The British Horse Society has announced the nominations for this year’s BHS Queen’s Award for Equestrianism.
The Award, which is made on the recommendation of the Trustees of The British Horse Society, is "For Outstanding Services to Equestrianism".
Representatives from across the spectrum of equestrianism were invited to nominate one candidate each.
The nine nominations received (with nominating organisations in brackets) were as follows:
Stephen Clarke FBHS (British Dressage);
Rosemary Barlow (British Eventing);
Sydney Smith (British Horse Driving Trials Association);
Jane Goldsmith (The British Horse Society);
Ronnie Massarella (British Showjumping);
John Hudson (Endurance GB); Dr Ernie Logan (BHS Ireland);
Ernest McMillen MBE (The Pony Club);
and Maggie Bradley (Riding for the Disabled Association).
Patrick Print FBHS, Chairman of The British Horse Society, said
“As one would expect for such a prestigious award, the calibre of nominees was extremely high. Although the services of each nominee were distinct in their own way, the unifying theme is that each has made a contribution to equestrianism, the value of which exceeds whatever they may have taken from the sport.”
Her Majesty The Queen assented to the creation of The BHS Queen's Award for Equestrianism in 2005. Previous recipients have been Jennie Loriston-Clarke FBHS MBE (2006), HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (2007), Lars Goran (Yogi) Breisner (2008) and Jane Holderness-Roddam (2009).
The Award is made on the recommendation of the Trustees of The British Horse Society. To ensure that participants from across the spectrum of equestrianism (including the military) are considered, the Trustees invited the Member Bodies of the British Equestrian Federation, the Commanding Officer of the Household Cavalry, The British Equestrian Veterinary Association and The National Association of Farriers, Blacksmiths and Agricultural Engineers (NAFBAE) plus BHS Scotland and BHS Ireland, each to nominate a single potential recipient.
Full Citations
The BHS Queen's Award for Equestrianism 2010
Nomination for: Ronnie Massarella
Nominated by: British Show jumping
Ronnie Massarella is a well-known and respected character throughout the showjumping world and is probably one of the greatest ambassadors the sport has ever known.
Ronnie was the British Showjumping Team Manager for more than 20 years, leading his team to numerous international honours around the world.
Since his appointment in 1970 the team has enjoyed many successes, including a silver medal at the Rotterdam Compensatory Olympic Games in 1980 and a Silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. The Atlanta Olympics was his seventh as Team Manager.
He was also with the team when they won the World Championship Gold medal in 1978, the European Championships a year later, and the European team gold medal at Dinard in 1985.
He is one of the best GB chefs d'equipe in history and still talked about at international shows. He is a jovial character who gave confidence to riders as they went into the ring and they succeeded at the highest level.
Born in Britain of Italian background, Ronnie is now a successful businessman living with his wife near Sheffield.
Ronnie was awarded the OBE in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Years Honours List in 1982 for his services to showjumping. In 2001he was awarded the BSJA Lifetime Award at the BSJA Awards Ball.
Nomination for: Miss Sydney Smith
Nominated by: British Horse Driving Trials Association
Sydney Smith has always aspired to the highest level in whatever she has done, whether in her hackney breeding programme, her own competition career or, more recently, her dedication to the promotion of training and has always wanted to share her experiences with others.
In the late 80’s she began inviting a small group of talented young drivers to get together for training something new in the driving world at that time. This inspired the vision of the Unicorn Equestrian Trust at Stow on the Wold, which Sydney finally opened in 1996. The original core aim was to promote training for young people, particularly in carriage driving, but Sydney’s dedication and commitment have enabled it to become so much more.
Sydney is passionate about interaction between all the equestrian disciplines and training at all levels. She works closely with the BEF and hosts training for their World Class disciplines as well as many other branches of the equestrian world, but her first love is driving and she is particularly proud of her achievement in promoting the junior training programme within the BHDTA.
Until she retired at the 2009 AGM she had been a member of the ruling Council of the BHDTA for 20 years and Chairman of the Training Committee for much of that time. She continues as a member of the committee with special responsibility for Juniors and the World Class Driving Programme. She was also a BHDTA and BDS judge for many years.
Sydney has put her whole life into building up the Unicorn Trust which must be one of the finest equestrian facilities in the country. She ensures that it is maintained to the highest standards and personally welcomes many organisations to train there at favourable rates.
Nomination for: Stephen Clarke FBHS
Nominated by: British Dressage
Stephen Clarke FBHS fulfills a phenomenal diary of commitments worldwide, judging major competitions and giving training clinics. He is the only British ‘O’ level judge and one of nine approved FEI Dressage Course Directors. Stephen was the first British person to judge at an Olympics (Athens 2004) and has officiated at World Equestrian Games, Senior, Junior and Young Rider European Championships and World Cup finals.
Stephen also sat on the FEI Dressage committee for several years and was instrumental in compiling the FEI judge’s book, now considered the bible of modern judging. He inspires positive, open judging and advocates accountability. His efforts have brought tremendous respect for GB dressage judges and done enormous good for the reputation of the sport.
Stephen is a great ambassador for British dressage across the world and was responsible for judges' marks being displayed to the audience, which has engaged the public. He also encouraged judges to award higher marks when warranted.
On home soil, Stephen chaired BD’s Judges Committee for ten years and continues in a central role in training all British Judges. His education, support and mentorship have influenced the next generation and many of our senior judging figures are a product of his training and encouragement.
His knowledge, generosity, kindness and approachability are unrivalled; this honour would be recognition of his remarkable achievements and outstanding services to dressage.
Nomination for: Maggie Bradley
Nominated by: Riding for the Disabled Association
Maggie Bradley has been an extraordinary volunteer for the RDA and has shown commitment that goes well beyond what is normally expected. From her first involvement mucking out for a group in 1990 she has shown dedication and energy from which successive parts of the RDA have benefited.
Describing herself as “a fervent believer in RDA training” she rose to become the Chairman of the Coaching Committee and has had an immense positive impact on standards and training across RDA. She introduced a comprehensive quality assurance system to provide volunteers with support, as well as a robust system to promote and ensure good standards.
Since starting off as a volunteer she saw that volunteers were under-valued and by introducing coaching and development, she has made volunteering worthwhile.
Tasked with improving the quality and perception of the RDA’s training, Maggie became a core member of the BEF’s Coaching Development Action Team. Through this, the RDA has been at the forefront of UKCC development, which is now an important part of the RDA. The value to coaching is better understood both within and beyond the RDA, safeguarding the ability to provide a world class service and enabling the RDA to recruit more volunteers and serve more riders.
Maggie has worked almost full-time to promote and explain every aspect of coaching from Inverness to Plymouth and while doing this she has still found time to help with her Group in SE London.
Nomination for: Mrs Rosemary Barlow
Nominated by: British Eventing
Rosemary Barlow is the epitome of the true volunteer who has been, and is, totally dedicated to the sport of Eventing.
As in any sport, fund raising is a necessity to aid training, coaching, equipment and travel. Through Rosemary’s unequalled drive and determination to help fund the British teams, she has made an incalculable contribution to our medal achievements. She is our major fund raiser and has led many volunteer teams in raising some £2,000,000 towards training and sending of British teams to the Olympics, World and European Championships.
This fundraising is primarily done via the Horse Trials Support Group (HTSG), which she helped found in 1987.
Additionally, the HTSG awards an annual scholarship, awarded to up to three young talented riders each year. Some previous beneficiaries include, Tina Cook, Lucinda Fredericks, Chris King, Francis Whittington, Jeanette Brakewell, Sacha Pemble and Nicola Tweddle.
For many years, Rosemary has also acted as organiser and hostess to the owners and riders at international events both at home and at major championship and Olympic venues. Her hospitality and warm welcome has been extended to include all the participating nationalities, and has led to building relationships and greater understanding throughout the whole equine community.
Rosemary has worked for 30 years supporting all equestrian sports and has been an outstanding ambassadress for all the competitive disciplines. She was awarded a BE Award and Honorary Life membership in 1999 and the Torch Trophy Trust Award in 2005.
Nomination for: John Hudson
Nominated by: Endurance GB
John Hudson started Endurance riding in 1990 and ride organising in 1994, turning his ride into one of the biggest in the country.
In 2000 he became Chairman of BERA and then went on to spearhead a team for the amalgamation of BERA and EHPS to form the very successful Endurance GB. He continued as chairman for a further two years but has never left Endurance GB!
John is everywhere within the organisation tirelessly working in the background to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible – helping anyone at the drop of a hat, going above and beyond the call of duty.
He continues organising rides including the National Riding Club Championships on Exmoor with his wife Jane they are both Technical Stewards, time keepers, gate openers and whatever else is needed!
John also organises all of Endurance GB’s IT and keeps it working (a massive undertaking) and is working with NED by doing an excellent job on the NED Board. He does all this while running his own successful IT companies and occasionally finds time to ride!
Nomination for: Ernest McMillen MBE
Nominated by: The Pony Club
Ernest McMillen has dedicated many years to his involvement with the RDA and the Pony Club. He will be remembered for instigating Centre Membership which allows children without their own horse or pony to join the Pony Club and enjoy the benefits which previously were only offered to children with their own pony.
Ernest’s first role was as Regional Chairman of the Riding for the Disabled Association in the 1970’s. He had enjoyed hunting in Ireland, and became joint master of the Northdown Hunt from 1977 to 1982 where he has remained on the Committee. Ernest also became the event director of Rademon Event in the 1980’s, which he ran for Eventing Ireland.
His children being members of the Pony Club, Ernest quickly became involved as the Area Representative for Area 17. He joined the Finance Committee, which he eventually chaired, negotiating and maintaining sponsorship arrangements for the various disciplines.
He was made Chairman of the Pony Club in 1985 and remained there for six years, during this time introducing Centre membership. He played a key part in increasing membership of the organisation to 30,000 branch members and 16,000 centre members.
After retiring as Chairman he took up a similar role in the Euro Pony Club, where he remained until 2009.
Nomination for: Mrs Jane Goldsmith FBHS
Nominated by: The British Horse Society
Jane Goldsmith became a Fellow of the BHS in the 1970s. Before this she was a successful competitor in show jumping, eventing and dressage. She also trained competitors in all disciplines notably Sarah Cotton on Morag to advanced level eventing. Jane, a former chief examiner for the BHS, has trained many students for all exams up to fellowship standard.
She is a former chairman of the BHS Training and Education Advisory Committee and was a member of the first Board of Trustees when the Society was restructured in 1997. She later became a member of the BD Board, first as a Director of BYRDS and later Para Dressage Director.
It is her work in the development of para dressage that really sets Jane apart. A tremendous educator, Jane has not only coached many riders to Paralympic standard (notably Lee Pearson), but also become a respected leading figure in this discipline both in the UK and worldwide.
This has culminated in her becoming a five star para judge in 2009 which is the highest level possible. Jane is also a BD list one dressage judge.
Nomination for: Dr Ernest F Logan PhD, BVMS, FRCVS, F.R.Ag.S
Nominated by: BHS Ireland
Ernest Logan has a deep and sustaining interest in equestrian sport which has led to many years of hard work behind the scenes and in support of other people.
Ernest graduated as a veterinary surgeon in Edinburgh 1959 and after carrying out research in Edinburgh he returned to Northern Ireland in 1974.
In the 1970’s he was elected to the Committee of the SJAI Northern region and remained on it. He chaired the newly formed training committee and it is now acknowledged world wide that Ireland has the most talented riders.
He has been a show jump and senior national judge for 25 years, repeatedly officiating at the Royal Ulster Agriculture Show, where he sponsors an international class, and at the Dublin Horse Show.
He has also served as a director of the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, was a founder member of the Equine Council for NI, was elected to the Council of the RUAS, and chaired the Horse Committee from 1995-2000.
He is currently VP of the RUAS. In 1987 he initiated the National Balmoral Championships and in his role of director over a period of 17 years he obtained more than £200,000 sponsorship.
In 1992 he invented an extrusion technique to manufacture cheap, plastic horse shoes.
These have proved to be very successful in alleviating pain in horses with acute laminitis and have bought relief to many horses and ponies.