Fifteen riders were in the running for this year's Caroline Pratt Memorial Training Bursary. This is the last time the award is being made and because the standard of applicants was exceptionally high, four reserve bursaries were also awarded.

The winner was Gemma Hoare, from Drighlington, who received a £2,000 training grant and one of the runners-up awards went to Charlotte Cundall from Garton on the Wolds near Driffield.

The bursary was set up by Caroline's family after their daughter was killed while competing at Burghley in 2004, to help young event riders achieve their full potential.

Gemma, 30, a recent convert to eventing after considerable success in showjumping, runs a livery and teaching business at Netherton Farm with her sister Abigail and is developing a team of young horses.

She also recently passed her BHSI exam.

"This year has been hard work, but it's really been worthwhile as I enjoy teaching as well as competing," said Gemma.

"This bursary will help to improve my best horse, Spring Valentine, with whom I am hoping to reach Advanced."

Gemma will be working on improving her dressage and showjumping this winter and will be putting her bursary to good use by having lessons with Ruth Edge and Alan Fazakerly.

The news that she had been awarded one of the additional bursaries of £500 was particularly sweet for Charlotte, 23, who only started riding again in April this year after a year off following a serious fall.

She suffered a fractured vertebra and fragments went into her spinal column. She underwent an operation to put "scaffolding" around the broken area, spent three months in a body brace and had a final operation to remove the metalwork in January.

"It was a long hard battle to get going again," said Charlotte, who was determined to continue working with horses. "She works for the trainer Declan Carroll at Sledmere in the mornings, riding up to five lots a day, then concentrates on her horses at home in the afternoon.

She is helped by her mother Catherine who is also her trainer.

"My aims for next year are to get the best out of all the horses I have to ride," added Charlotte. "I also want to point to point again. My two lifetime ambitions are to ride at CCI four-star level and ride round the National fences at Aintree."

Charlotte said she went along to the selection day for the bursary for the experience and had no idea that an extra award would be made.

"It's an honour because Caroline was such an amazing rider. And it's nice too to have your hard work recognised, it's been a massive boost," said Charlotte.

Reserve bursaries also went to Amy Lennon from Crewe, Cheshire; Carrie Byrom from Parbold, Lancashire and Martyn Johnson from Belford, Northumberland.


Hemingway and Harris acknowledged as unsung heroes

SOME of equestrian's unsung heroes were recognised at an awards ceremony held by the British Horse Society at Saddlers' Hall in London.

The BHS presented 23 awards to individuals and organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the society's work, highlighting the efforts that go on behind the scenes on behalf of the country's horses and riders.

The Welfare Award went to Jane Hemingway from Mexborough. She has been a county and regional welfare officer for the BHS for many years and was chairman of the Regional Welfare Officers Committee for nearly 10 years.

She retired from this position in 2007 but is still the regional welfare officer for Yorkshire. "Thanks to her endeavours, the lives of countless horses and ponies have been improved," said the BHS.

Alison Harris from Ackworth, near Pontefract, received the society's Award of Merit for her service to the society over a number of years.

Alison was praised for her ability to bring like-minded people together and for her skills of leadership and motivation. "She is a most effective emissary for the society, who recognises the importance of all departments and their place in the organisation," said the BHS.

The annual Bedale Hunt Ride, now in its 80th year, will take place at Yafforth Grange, near Northallerton, home of the Pybus family, on December 13.

The ride will be started at 10am by Andrew Osborne MFH and competitors will make their way over two-and-a-half miles of Bedale country.

The course takes in hedges, rails and an open brook and there will be a commentary to keep spectators informed of riders' progress.

The overall winner will receive the Henderson Trophy and the Ben Pybus Trophy will be presented to the best placed Bedale subscriber.

There will also be prizes for the best-placed male and female riders and the best under-21, over-50 and Bedale farmer.

Visitors are welcome and the course will be open for walking from December 6.

Following the ride and awards ceremony, the hounds will meet at 11.30am.

Interdressage add dogs to show

TADCASTER'S Interdressage, which organises online dressage competitions, ran a sponsored dressage test in aid of The Animal Health Trust, raising £413.50.

Karina Hawkridge, who launched Interdressage, has included a 'Style and Performance' class for dogs in the December schedule.

All proceeds will be divided between The Blue Cross and The Retired Greyhounds Trust. Visit www.interdressage.com or email karina@interdressage.com


Tel 0113 238 8253
Email jill.armstrong@ypn.co.uk