A host of equestrians have been named in the New Year Honours List for 2009.
Paralympic triple gold medallist Lee Pearson, OBE, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to equestrianism and disabled sport.
Lee (pictured right) told H&H: “It’s a great honour, and a lovely surprise.
“2008 was a fantastic year but a tough one — I’m actually glad it’s over — 2009 will be busy too.”
Lee’s Paralympic teammates and double gold medallists Anne Dunham and Sophie Christiansen are made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs) for services to disabled sport.
Former chairman of British Dressage and current president of the British Horse Society, Leslie Barbara “Desi” Dillingham is given an MBE for her voluntary service to equestrian sport.
In horseracing, Rhydian James Morgan Jones is made an MBE for his services to the horseracing industry, and Dr John Fitzroy Gillespie JP DL is given an MBE for voluntary service to horseracing in Northern Ireland.
Annabel Serena Oxley is also made an MBE for voluntary service to injured jockeys.
In Scotland, Ruth Skinner for services to Riding for the Disabled and to the community in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.
Susan Tron, manager of Newcastle’s Stepney Bank Stables is made an MBE for services to riding for disadvantaged people in Tyne and Wear.
Further south, Deborah Anne Hall, manager of the Chigwell Riding Trust for Special Needs is awarded an MBE for services to disabled people in Essex.
If we have missed equestrian names in the New Year Honours list, please email abi_butcher@ipcmedia.com
