DI LAMPARD GIVEN DORIAN WILLIAMS TROPHY
Monday 29 July 2024
.jpg "DI LAMPARD GIVEN DORIAN WILLIAMS TROPHY")
Di Lampard was chosen as this year's recipient of the Dorian Williams Trophy, an award given to someone who has made an extraordinary contribution towards the Agria Royal International Horse Show.
As a rider, Di enjoyed many wins at Hickstead, including the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 1994 and 98 with Abbervail Dream – who she names as her horse of a lifetime. She was also part of the victorious team at Hickstead’s Nations Cup in 1996, and won team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Rome in 1998. In total Di was on the squad for two World Championships and three European Championships, including those held at Hickstead in 1999.
When Abbervail Dream retired, Di turned her attentions to training other riders. Having been deputy to Rob Hoekstra when the Brits won that historic team gold in London 2012, Di was the natural successor to take over from him, becoming the first British woman to hold this position. Since her appointment, British showjumpers have won European silver and bronze, World team bronze, and individual gold Olympic medals for Nick Skelton at Rio, and Ben Maher in Tokyo.
Although Di always aims to field her strongest team here at Hickstead, a win in the Edward Prince of Wales Cup kept eluding her – until a brilliant win 12 months ago, followed up by this year's victory in the first Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, when Di and the team delivered another thrilling victory.
"In the run up to the Royal International, I speak to Di on an almost daily basis, ensuring that the best British talents get the chance to compete here at the All England Jumping Course," said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. "Di works tirelessly alongside us to help promote the show, and to make it a success, and we think she is a very worthy winner of this award. We wish her and the team the very best of luck for the Paris Olympics."
Image: Boots and Hooves Photography
