Shining Star

Friday 31 October 2014

Shiona Macdougall, aged 13, from Ferryhill, County Durham has been awarded the NAF Shining Star for September 2014 as a result of the commitment and enthusiasm that she has shown during her time as a member of the British Showjumping Durham Junior Academy

Shiona was nominated for the award by Junior Academy Lead Coach, Sarah Tubbs, who had the following to say about her nominee “Over the past year and a half, Shiona has shown tremendous commitment to her training and has not missed a single academy session. She has shown great enthusiasm for producing and educating her ponies with a maturity that is a pleasure to work with. Even when things don’t quite go to plan, Shiona has learnt to be patient and work through the difficulties to achieve a positive end result.”

A member of British Showjumping since June 2012, Shiona has gained her 1* and is working hard to achieve her 2* of the NAF Pony Five Star Performance Awards Programme.

Upon hearing that she had won this month’s award, a delighted Shiona said “I was surprised and shocked to hear that I had won this award. I joined the academy as I knew it was the best place for me to get training on certain areas that I was struggling with.

“I would like to thank my coach Sarah Tubbs for her nomination and for all her help that she has given me.”

“I recently broke my ankle playing hockey so once I am able to ride again; I hope to head to the Premier shows with my ponies and continue to bring on my youngster Ben Beg Boy hopefully gaining our four double clears in British Novice for next year.”

Griselda Handy, Brand Manager for NAF commented, ““Congratulations to Shiona it is clear how hard she has worked to achieve some great results with her ponies.  Gaining her Shining Star award is great recognition of her determination and success, we are sure this is just the start of a promising young rider!”

The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression and outstanding behaviour along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.

Recent Northern News
	Roy Robinson April 1932 - November 2023 29/11/2023
	Full round up from Richmond Equestrian Cente’s Second Round British Showjumping Show. 25/07/2022
	Adverse Weather Conditions - Show Updates 16/02/2022
	Tack Thefts at British Showjumping Shows 12/02/2022
	Jan 2022 - The Jump North Tour: Four Tournaments – Two Venues 02/01/2022