National Equestrian Award Winners 2024
Equestrian Business of The Year
Bogenraith Equestrian
Putting their heart and soul into building a fantastic new facility, Marion and her team have created a welcoming space for equestrian activities in the North East. The nominations demonstrate a huge gratitude to the Bogenraith team for opening up a centre which provides a space that equestrians and the public can come and share together. Having only been open a short amount of time, the centre has had a busy calendar with various events and demos, and riders from all walks of life from local clubs up to Ros Canter. With Marion and her family experiencing truly challenging times, the successes of the facility seen so far is a huge testament to the hard work of the whole team.
Equestrian Club of The Year
V & C Equestrian
V&C Equestrian is owned and run by Vanessa Ingles. What’s come through loud and clear in Vanessa’s nominations is her absolute dedication to the community around her. All of the staff at V & C Equestrian are incredibly hard working and a credit to her and the horses. The team dedicate their time to giving kids the opportunity to learn and develop their skills in riding and horsemanship. They also work tirelessly to provide opportunities for neurodivergent children and take their ponies to visit elderly residents in care homes. The whole team work so hard to ensure a great experience for all the kids and everyone involved and their passion, dedication and willingness to go above and beyond has absolutely not gone unnoticed.
Equestrian Employee of the Year
David Sutton
David is Professor of Equine Internal Medicine at Glasgow Equine Hospital and works tirelessly in his efforts to promote and raise awareness of equine welfare. David’s care and compassion is second to none. As well as being an excellent clinician, David is an enthusiastic and patient teacher and has a huge influence on the quality of equine veterinary care in Scotland. And he doesn’t stop just there! David’s research continues to make impacts far beyond Scotland and he has been appointed to the Board of the Equine Grass Sickness Fund and most recently worked on understanding various infectious diseases and the equine sarcoid. Colleagues, students and horse owners across Scotland are incredibly grateful for his expertise and passion for improving equine welfare.
Equestrian Photo of The Year
Chloe Candlish
Equestrian Writer of The Year
Steff Singleton
An advocate for Working Equitation, Steff has brought it to life in a new book designed to inspire young riders to try the sport. Working Equitation with the Adventures of Huckleberry Pie is a comic style junior handbook which covers the dressage tests & obstacles for each level, training tips and more. Last year Steph and her horse became Inter B Reserve National Champions. As well as competing and coaching in Working Equitation, Steph hopes to raise awareness of the sport and bring competitions home to Scotland. Her written work is a particular testament to her passion and hope to inspire others.
Equine Breeder of the Year
Mary Turnbull (son Mark pictured)
Mary along with her husband John and their two children Katie & Mark, have been involved in breeding and producing elite sports horses for years and have bred notable horses from their Ashton Stud near Culross. Mary and her family bred FEI former world number one show jumper, Ursula XII & Nations Cup Winner Hello Whisky Mac IV. Just recently 5 year old Ashton Orbit qualified for HOYS in the Working Hunter. The family have now bred dressage horses – with Ashton Rosie being produced by Katie. The family are huge advocates for equestrianism in Scotland and worthy winners of this award.
Youth Coach of the Year
Carys McIntosh
Since she began coaching at NMW Riding Academy, Carys’ confidence and knowledge has grown and she’s gone from strength to strength. Carys has a brilliant understanding of her riders’ needs and strives to help them achieve as much as possible. Her development and achievements haven’t gone unnoticed by her colleagues, friends & clients. Her passion, skills and patience stand her in great stead to continue building her successful coaching career.
Performance Coach of the Year
Karen Dewar
It’s clear from the nominations that Karen has made a real difference to the riders she coaches. And clients of hers have had a brilliant year! In particular, several riders reached the dressage national championships with many being awarded top 10 places & one podium finish. Karen’s dedication and desire to see her riders succeed is clear. We could spend all night going through the qualifications and results she’s helped her riders to achieve & they wish to thank and celebrate Karen’s remarkable talent and for always being there to support them. And this makes her a very worthy winner of this award.
Youth Performer of the Year
Fergal Holohan
The results and achievements Fergal has had at such a young age are amazing. Fergal has produced his own horses and the Royal Highland Show this year saw his homebred mare win at 145cm and his 9 year old mare jumping clear in her first 155 grand prix. A particular highlight this year was Fergal being selected for two Nations Cup Teams in France & Czech Republic. Fergal’s talent and enthusiasm make him a clear and very worthy winner of this award.
Team of the Year
Scottish Para Home Nations Team
Within this team are Kyla Mantilla Ross, Margaret Lupton & Lesley McNaughton-Wells and they have had a fantastic year! They delivered an outstanding performance earlier this year at the Para Home Nations and placed 2nd, with just 1% in it! Huge congratulations to all three ladies who have well and truly flown the flag for para dressage in Scotland and are an inspiration to many!
Para Performer of the Year
Jayne McGarvie
Jayne is an incredibly hardworking individual who does everything with a smile on her face. After suffering a serious car accident and a subsequent stroke Jayne spent many months in hospital before her friend took her to the Garioch (pronounced geery) RDA Carriage Driving Group and her love of driving has grown ever since. Jayne herself expresses “the dignity of risk” – the idea that self determination and the right to take reasonable risks are essential for dignity and self-esteem. Jayne competed at the Para World Championships in the Netherlands last year and hopes to compete in the World Championships in Germany next year. Jayne is a wonderful advocate for carriage driving in Scotland and her enthusiasm and determination inspires those around her.
Project of the Year
Police Scotland & Scottish Racing Academy
The joint project between Police Scotland and The Scottish Racing Academy has provided education and employment opportunities in equestrianism to a total of 73 youths from areas of deprivation and high crime in activities with the aim to reduce the likelihood of getting involved with gang culture and associated crimes. There has been a 100% success rate with the Strong Girls Club & the project has already picked up awards earlier this year. The outstanding work being done has been recognised by the Chief Constable of Police Service of Scotland and we can all agree they are extremely worthy winners of this award tonight.
Participation Coach of the Year
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Sarah-Jayne Bowers
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Nominated as having the patience of a saint! Sarah-Jayne has helped many riders recover their confidence and love of riding. Riders are extremely grateful for her positivity and dedication to her clients. Sarah-Jayne focuses on training riders from grassroots and British Riding Clubs up to affiliated dressage, show-jumping & eventing. Her knowledge and empathic coaching style has helped a lot of riders come a long way.
Performer of the Year
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Wills Oakden- Award collected by friends
I think we can all agree Wills has had a great season this year. A definite highlight being the final Blair Castle Horse Trials where Wills won both the 2* and the 4* with his horse Keep it Cooley winning the 2*, 3* & 4* in consecutive years – a feat no other horse has achieved at Blair. A horsescotland performance squad alumni, Wills continues to go from strength to strength & is currently ranked 42 in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings & 6th in the Zone Rankings.
Volunteer of the Year
Amy Fraser
Through thick and thin, Amy has continued to deliver for Lochside Arena in Stornoway. Riders and participants are so grateful to her and believe without her they wouldn’t have an arena or any equestrian events on the Isle of Lewis. Her outstanding contribution to the island’s equestrian community is second to none and she strives to ensure all events and clinics are inclusive and open to all. It’s clear to see what the arena and all that comes with it means to the equestrian community and they wholeheartedly agree the success is down to Amy.
Youth Volunteer of the Year
Sophie Whitby
To celebrate her 11th Birthday, Sophie decided to ride the Dava Way (which is approximately 24miles long) on her pony Pip – asking her friends and family for donations to the Equine Grass Sickness Fund instead of presents. She enjoyed that experience so much that earlier this year she took on an arduous ride from Affric to Kintail in The Highlands. Altogether Sophie has raised an incredible £6,000 and has shown herself to be a very generous and determined person! We must also give a shout out to her Mum Jessicca who cycles alongside Sophie on her rides!
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Young People’s Coach of the Year
Fran Stead
Fran has clearly made an impression on her young riders and in the words of one client, she makes the impossible possible! Fran instils belief and confidence and is so keen to share the joys and expertise of riding. She is driven to see children and young people improve and achieve, her heart of gold has ensured many many young riders are succeeding and having fun within the equestrian world. Fran strives to give her best to her riders and horses and they want her to know that she’s the best coach for them.
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Outstanding Achievement
Jim Balfour
It is a bit of cliché to say no foot, no horse, but it is an essential truth. And Jim is very much a powerhouse within Scottish farriery. The Balfour name is renowned for heavy horse shoeing in particular and both Jim and his brother Kevin followed in their father’s footsteps to become farriers. Jim has enjoyed competition success and demonstrates his dedication and professionalism to farriery. Jim is manager of the Scottish Farriery Team – and is currently down at Stoneleigh for the championships right now and expresses his deep regret at not being able to join us all tonight. Jim has led the team to success at National and International level and Jim’s sons Wayne, Adam and Lewis are all exceptional farriers in their own right. Jim was the driving force behind the organisation of the Farriery Competition at the World Clydesdale Show held in Aberdeen 2 years ago. This event attracted farriers from across the world, many of whom travelled over due to their respect of Jim. This is a testament to his character, work and passion for farriery, welfare and equestrianism in Scotland.
Lifetime Achievement
David Reid
David’s enthusiasm and commitment to equestrianism extends far beyond eventing and his impact on the sport over the last six decades is truly remarkable. Having begun his equestrian journey as a young boy with Angus Pony Club, David, along with his brother John, was part of the victorious Prince Philip Cup Team at the Horse of the Year Show in 1963. From there began a full and illustrious career covering coaching, eventing, showing, farming, course building and more. David is perhaps best known as both a BE and FEI Steward having officiated at many prestigious events, including Burghley, Burgie and Blair Castle. David has contributed more than 265 days of volunteer stewarding which is an outstanding achievement. In 2006 David started Kirriemuir Horse Trials which is now managed by James and Nicky Helyer who have said: “David has always been a huge part of Kirriemuir, stewarding for many years, and we always looked forward to his pre-event visits. Even when we were behind with our plans, David’s pragmatic approach reassured us that we would get there. Reading back on old event reports, David’s only criticism seemed to be that the potatoes weren't ready in time when we provided catered lunches—a point he gave our son Thomas some good-natured ribbing about. David carries a wealth of wisdom and experience far beyond the rule book.” David decided that 2024 would be his final year as BE/FEI Steward and rather fittingly the final Blair Castle Horse Trials was also his final event in this role. Though he has retired, the BE and the community hope to catch up with him and Jane out and about at events. Let’s all raise a glass to celebrate the tremendous contribution and successes David has brought to equestrianism in Scotland over the past 60 years.
