Rio medallists among winners at Animal Health Trust awards

The annual Animal Health Trust (AHT) UK Equestrian Awards took place last Thursday (27 October), at The Dorchester London Hotel.

Among the winners of the night were William Fox-Pitt, who overcame extreme adversity in 2015 to come back from a coma to compete at the Rio Olympics; Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton OBE, and champion Flat Jockey Jim Crowley.

Hannah Francis and her Willberry Wonder Pony Charity received the Voluntary Service Award. After being diagnosed with bone cancer, Hannah raised £115,000 towards cancer research before she lost her battle earlier this year.

John McEwen MBE was the winner of the Veterinary Achievement Award. “We need to be at the cutting edge of science. The AHT carries out a lot of research into performance and this really does give Team GB the edge. Thank you to the AHT,” he said.

Full list of winners:

Harvey Spack Field Dressage Award

Joint winners: Olympic Dressage Team (Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood, Spencer Wilton) and Paralympic Equestrian Team (Sophie Christiansen, Anne Dunham, Natasha Baker, Sophie Wells)

Eventing Award

William Fox-Pitt

British Showjumping Award

Nick Skelton OBE

Bet Solutions International Racing Award

Jim Crowley

Chris Potter Country Sports Under 25’s Star of the Future Award

Rebecca Edwards

Balta Veterinary Achievement Award

John McEwen MBE BVMS MRCVS

SEIB Insurance Brokers Voluntary Service Award

Hannah Francis and her Willberry Wonder Pony Charity

Tapi Carpets & Floors and the Animal Health Trust Special Award

Pete Brady