BEF recognises equestrian achievements at Olympia
Saturday 21 December 2013
The British Equestrian Federation rounded off a superb 2013 by presenting BEF Medals of Honour at The London International Horse Show, Olympia (21 December), to five individuals for their outstanding achievement and contribution to the international equestrian world.
Vaulter Hannah Eccles, showjumper William Funnell and World Class Performance Manager for Showjumping Rob Hoekstra all received medals for their sporting achievements to date. Simon Brooks-Ward CVO OBE TD and Michael Foljambe were recognised for the instrumental role they play within the sport.
The medals were presented by BEF Chairman, Keith Taylor. Unfortunately Mr Foljambe was unable to attend the event and received his Medal at the beginning of December from British Eventing Chief Executive Mike Etherington-Smith.
Information about those awarded medals:
Hannah Eccles
A stalwart member of the British vaulting squad, Hannah has competed at both junior and senior level individually, in team and pas de deux competitions. Alongside Joanne, the sisters won the first ever medal for Great Britain (a silver) in the pas de deux at the World Equestrian Games in 2010, a feat they repeated at the European Championships a year later. She has won four consecutive silver medals in pas de deux, three of these whilst studying at University. Hannah is part of the Champions in Schools Programme and coaches aspiring young vaulters, including junior pas de deux pair Andrew McLachlan and Rebecca Norval, who won gold at the 2012 junior European Championships.
William Funnell
William has represented Great Britain on countless showjumping Nations Cup teams and two European Championships – and was instrumental in helping GB secure team gold in Denmark earlier this year, with home-bred stallion Billy Congo. He has developed The Billy Stud with Donal Barnwell, that has gone on to produce some of the best homebred talents in the country.
Rob Hoekstra
Before changing to British nationality in 1987, Rob competed for The Netherlands to junior level in showjumping. He went on to represent Great Britain on seven Nations Cup teams, had international success and won the Hickstead Derby in 1999.
Showjumping Performance Manager for the World Class Programme since 2010, Rob has now seen the squad through four senior Championships and has won three team and three individual medals during this time, including team gold at the London 2012 Olympia Games and 2013 European Championships.
Simon Brooks-Ward CVO OBE TD
Simon has been instrumental in supporting the growth of top class international dressage and showjumping in Great Britain. Chairman and Chief Executive of the HPower Group, his work as Director of The London International Horse Show, Olympia, the 2009 Alltech FEI European Jumping and Dressage Championships and the Royal Windsor Horse Show, to name a few, has contributed greatly to the showcasing of equestrian sport in the UK.
Further information about the presentation of the award to Michael Foljambe can be found here: www.bef.co.uk
A full list of past recipients can be located on the BEF website – www.bef.co.uk
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