The team of top-level horses and riders that produced their very best in 2024 to shine on the world stage – whose meticulous approach, team spirit, support and exemplary performance are the envy of others
A new award for 2024, the Dodson & Horrell Team of the Year has been added to our roll of honour and we are looking forward to seeing which team will take the inaugural title.
Team of the Year shortlist
GB Olympic Eventing Team
Laura Collett (London 52), Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo); alternate Yasmin Ingham (Banzai Du Loir)
Hopes were high that Britain’s eventers could defend their Olympic team gold title at Paris 2024, having won European team and individual gold at Haras du Pin last summer. At Versailles, they were supreme in every phase to take the crown again. Over seven penalties ahead of Germany after dressage, thanks to Laura Collett’s record-breaking test, their lead was cut to just a pole in hand after cross-country due to a controversial flag penalty for Ros Canter. But on the final day, they stretched their advantage with just two down, while the French lowered four for silver.
Japanese Olympic Eventing Team
Kazuma Tomoto (Vinci De La Vigne), Yoshiaki Oiwa (MGH Grafton Street), Ryuzo Kitajima (Cekatinka); alternate Toshiyuki Tanaka (Jefferson)
One of the most cheering sights of the Games was Ryuzo Kitajima “cantering” around the glorious Versailles arena on foot, clutching his team bronze medal, ahead of his mounted team-mates. The Japanese had put themselves within touching distance of their first-ever Olympic eventing medal after three stellar cross-country rounds secured them overnight bronze. However, when Cekatinka was withdrawn from the final horse inspection, Japan were handed 20 penalties for substituting their alternate, Toshiyuki Tanaka, which pushed them back down to fifth. But all three showjumped clear and moved back onto the podium, where the whole quartet were awarded medals.
GB Olympic Showjumping Team
Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Harry Charles (Romeo 88), Scott Brash (Jefferson); alternate Joe Stockdale (Cacharel)
London 2012 was the scene of the last British team showjumping gold medal and there was a certain symmetry about their repeat in 2024. Twelve years ago, the same riders Scott Brash and Ben Maher rode alongside Peter Charles (and Nick Skelton) on their way to victory. This time round, it was Peter’s son Harry joining them at the top of the podium. It was an absolute nail-biter. When Scott Brash went in as the final rider in the team decider, he could not afford one pole to stay on the podium. A single bar would drop the trio down to sixth place. But the Scot is famed for his ice-cool temperament and he conjured the round of Jefferson’s life to jump clear and into the history books.
GB Olympic Dressage Team
Lottie Fry (Glamourdale). Becky Moody (Jagerbomb), Carl Hester (Fame); alternate Andrew Gould (Indigro)
They arrived under a cloud, but Britain’s dressage riders did the nation proud to secure team bronze in highly pressurised circumstances. With Charlotte Dujardin off the team due to suspension, a new star was born in pathfinder Becky Moody, who produced an outstanding personal best – on the biggest stage of her life – in the special to pave the way to the podium. “Becky took the pressure off myself and Lottie by getting that score,” said Carl. “It put us in a position to relax a little bit.” Germany and Denmark fought it out for gold, but the poise and grace the team showed to repeat their Tokyo bronze is a remarkable achievement given the upheaval in the British camp leading up to this Games.
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2024
The Horse & Hound Awards are back for a ninth year in a row, in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the H&H Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which will be decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We will recognise both the big names who have made 2024 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at whatever level.
This year we will be returning to Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including Olympic and Paralympic superstars, can look forward to a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 27 November. If you’d like to join us, you can book an individual ticket or a platinum table for 10 people at www.hhawardsuk.com
