Tens of thousands of votes have been cast and counted, and your worthy winners of the 2021 Horse & Hound Awards, in partnership with NAF, have been announced.
The 13 winners, including an extra title on top of the planned categories, were named in a ceremony at Cheltenham racecourse tonight (1 December).
H&H Editor-in-Chief Sarah Jenkins said: “Huge congratulations to all of our extremely worthy winners, and all who were shortlisted in what have become such competitive award categories.
“It is fantastic to see greatness in equestrianism recognised in the way these awards manage to achieve each year, and wonderful that Horse & Hound’s readers and followers feel passionately enough about these individuals’ contribution to the horse world that they vote in such incredible numbers for their heroes. We felt very fortunate to be able to hold our awards ceremony in what are still very challenging times, and it was wonderful to see so many in the industry turnout to celebrate and support these awards and those who were shortlisted. Congratulations to all!”
The Horse & Hound Awards 2021 winners: (left to right) Andrew Ruyssevelt and Jo Hayward of the Stoneleigh Club (Horse Dialog Equestrian Club of the Year), Redwings’ head of veterinary services Nicky Jarvis and chief executive Lynn Cutress representing Redwings Phoenix (Stallion AI Services Pony of the Year), Richard Waygood (Outstanding Contribution), Allister Hood (Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Award), Ruby Hughes (Tommy Hilfiger Equestrian Young Rider of the Year), Tom McEwen (Uvex Helmets Professional Rider of the Year), Elizabeth Frew (Baileys Horse Feed Vet of the Year), Lauren Innes (Pikeur Amateur Rider of the Year) and Mark Weston on behalf of Adrian Bigg (Dengie Volunteer of the Year).
The 2021 Horse & Hound Awards winners:
- Bloomfields Horse of the Year – Explosion W
- Stallion AI Services Pony of the Year – Redwings Phoenix
- Uvex Helmets Professional Rider of the Year – Tom McEwen
- Pikeur Amateur Rider of the Year – Lauren Innes
- NAF Five Star Magic Moment of the Year – Ben Maher and Explosion W winning gold in Tokyo
- Tommy Hilfiger Equestrian Young Rider of the Year – Ruby Hughes
- NAF Five Star PROFEET Farrier of the Year – Chris Bailey
- Horse Dialog Equestrian Club of the Year – Stoneleigh
- Absorbine Groom of the Year – Tilly Hughes
- Dengie Volunteer of the Year – Adrian Bigg
- Baileys Horse Feeds Vet of the Year – Elizabeth Frew
- Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement – Allister Hood
The Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award was decided on by the H&H team.
Sarah said: “Allister Hood is the ultimate showman, and his presence will be sorely missed from the show ring now that he has stepped back from competition.
“It was a pleasure to be able to highlight a lifetime of successes at our awards ceremony, and with his family and many supporters in attendance, I hope Allister felt the appreciation of Horse & Hound and the whole equestrian community for all that he has contributed to the horse world during his many decades in the sport.”
The H&H team also decided to give a special outstanding contribution award to Dickie Waygood, British Equestrian team leader, after a superb year for British horse sport.
“Before, during, and after the Olympic Games and European Championships, riders who we interviewed told us over and over again that Great Britain would not have had the phenomenal year we’ve seen for horse sport without this man’s brilliance, brain and tireless input,” Sarah said.
“With incredible leadership skills, he has built teams that have bonded, and thrived. He’s brought out the best in so many of our athletes and allowed them to shine.”
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