British Equestrian Federation honours Equestrian talents at Olympia

 

Dressage rider, Laura Bechtolsheimer; vaulter Joanne Eccles; eventer Nicola Wilson and para-equestrian dressage rider Sophie Wells were awarded medals for outstanding achievements in their respective disciplines, all of whom recently returned from the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky with medals.

 

Farrier for the British senior eventing team, Brendan Murray alongside Corinne Bracken, coach and chef d’equipe to the Children, Junior and Young Rider showjumping teams, received their medals alongside the four British riders.

 

Chief Executive of the BEF, Andrew Finding commented; “To have such a diverse range of expertise recognised at this level is wonderful for equestrian sport. Many congratulations to all of this year’s medal winners”.

 

The medals were presented by the BEF Chairman, Keith Taylor.

 

 

 

Laura Bechtolsheimer receives her medal after a thrilling end to this season’s competition with a win at Olympia on Tuesday night. Laura has broken British records and personal bests this season as well as winning a team and two individual silver medals from this year’s World Equestrian Games.

 

2009 saw Laura and Mistral Hojris record wins in Holland and Germany and won team silver and individual bronze at the Alltech FEI Windsor European Dressage Championships.

 

Corinne has taken riders from Pony Club through to Senior Nations Cup level and riding club teams through to National Finals. Coach and Chef d’equipe for the children, junior and young rider showjumping teams Corinne has recently seen success whilst Chef d’equipe for the gold medal winning European showjumping team at this year’s Youth Olympic Games.

 

Joanne, aged 21, is the first British vaulter to achieve individual gold medals at both European (Sweden, 2009) and World (Kentucky, 2010) level. Alongside her sister Hannah, the pair have recorded eight British Pas de Deux Championship wins, recently winning silver at this year’s Open European Championship in Austria.

 

Brendan, British senior eventing team farrier since 1992 has attended five Olympic and World Equestrian Games and nine European Championships.

 

World Class Performance Director, Will Connell, commented on Brendan’s award; “Brendan is the mainstay of the stable area, carrying out any job that needs doing and ensures all aspects of the groom’s welfare is attended to. He is completely committed to the success of Team GBR.”

 

Nicola has been on the senior eventing squad since 2009 and has enjoyed numerous successes with wins at Blair Castle CIC3* for two years running, a top ten placing at Badminton and a win at Barbury Castle and recently returned from the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky where she was part of the gold medal winning eventing team.

 

Sophie is a Grade IV para-equestrian dressage rider. She made her senior team debut aged 19, winning triple gold with team, individual and freestyle medals at the European para-dressage Championships. Continuing her gold winning ways in 2010, Sophie was crowned world champion in the Grade IV individual and freestyle classes out at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.