Pony Club Branch and top groom receive awards

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The final day of the Longines Royal International Horse Show saw two awards presented in recognition of those who make a vital contribution to our sport.

The South Down Hunt West Pony Club were the recipients of the Dorian Williams Trophy, which is presented annually to the person or organisation that has done the most for the Longines Royal International Horse Show.

Based locally to Hickstead, the South Down Hunt West Branch of the Pony Club has volunteered at the show for more than 30 years. The members of the branch fill many key roles, including selling programmes, manning the horse crossing points, and being the flag bearers for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Great Britain.

The award was presented to the District Commissioner Tracey Pargeter and her sister Carol Stanley, as well as Committee member Lisa King. Pony Club members Mabel Brook-Nash and Ralph Birkby were also selected to collect the award as representatives of the Branch.

The Horse Health Horsemastership Trophy is given to a groom who has impressed the panel of judges with their standards of care.

This year's winner was Jenny Ducoffre, who has worked for Jos Verlooy for the past seven years. The Belgian rider had a very successful week at Hickstead with a win in the Bunn Leisure Salver on Jacobien Dwerse Hagen.

“It is nice to have a win but I am a winner every day because we are a great team,” said a somewhat surprised Jenny. “It’s my whole life, and if you do it from the bottom of your heart you will be appreciated.”