The British Dressage Supporters Club held their annual general meeting and fundraising ball on Saturday, 30 January 2010 with over 340 guests in attendance at the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, London.
Always a glamorous evening, the ball featured an auction and raffle of donated items and the presentation of certificates to riders at all levels, from international to regional to para dressage. This year also featured the inaugural BD Owners’ Awards. These awards (kindly supported by Shearwater Insurance) were presented in two separate categories, the first to the owners of the horse which has made the greatest contribution to dressage in 2009, and the second to the owners of the horse with the highest percentage at the 2009 Area Festival Finals.
Accepting the owners’ award from BD Chief Executive Amanda Bond for the first category were Dr. and Mrs. Bechtolsheimer for Mistral Horjis. The 15 year old Danish gelding, co-owned and ridden by daughter Laura, competed in seven international shows in 2009, including the European Championships at Windsor. He won six international classes in 2009, was never placed lower than fourth. He had 12 international results over 75% and 3 over 80%.
Receiving the second owners' award was Laura Wood who with her mare Loranta achieved 72.27% at the Prelim Area Festival Final. “It was complete surprise!” said the 28 year old Wood. “It is so great though to be recognised for competing at the lower levels and hopefully this award will encourage other people to get involved and start competing.”
Loranta is a six year old 16 hh bay mare at livery at Osbaldeston EC. Owner/rider Laura Wood lives in Clitheroe, Lancashire. Laura and Loranta have qualified for the Winter Novice Restricted Regional.
The British Dressage Supporters Club was founded in 1983 to support, promote and help improve British Dressage.
Source © British Dressage
Related Links
Tons of Titles to Win at the 2009 British Dressage Championships
Donald Mactaggert Gives Ride on Liebling II to Carl Hester