Maher in double at awards ceremony

British No 1 Maher took the riders' rider of the year award, beating fellow nominees Michael Whitaker and Peter Charles.

And Maher, together with the consistently successful Robin Hood W, landed international horse/rider combination honours.

They were the top British performers at last year's European Championships in Windsor.

He was denied a hat-trick though, when his Great Britain Nations Cup colleague Geoff Billington was named personality of the year. Maher and Ellen Whitaker were also nominated.

Cheshire-based Susie Gibson, meanwhile, scooped coach of the year honours, while a lifetime achievement and services to showjumping award went to former Olympian Harvey Smith.

The Great Yorkshire Show took the County show award.

The awards ceremony took place on the eve of this year's British Open Championships.

British Showjumping award winners

Best pony rider: Jessica Mendoza; Best rider (Under-21 on horses): Jemma Kirk; Personality of the year: Geoff Billington; Riders' rider: Ben Maher; Combination: Ben Maher/Robin Hood W; Area/international points award: Helen Tredwell; Show venue of the year: Ingliston Country Club and Equestrian Centre, Scotland; County show: Great Yorkshire Show; Breeders' award: Old Lodge; Coach of the year: Susie Gibson; Lifetime achievement: Harvey Smith.