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Annual awards

Our annual BHS Awards reward and recognise the fabulous achievements of our volunteers, supporters and partners.

  • Last reviewed: 30th April 2024
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We are passionate about celebrating the impact that we can make, both as individuals and a community, and we are truly grateful for the valuable contribution made by these people and organisations.

The Awards are our way to ensure that volunteers receive the appreciation and recognition they deserve, whether it be securing new equestrian access, improving equestrian welfare or campaigning for equestrian safety. So please help us recognise these amazing contributions by nominating for our Awards.

Nominate someone for an award (nominations open on Wednesday 1 May 2024)

View last year's award winners

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Lifetime Awards

President's Award

For exceptional service to the Society over a period of years.

This could be in the fields of Access, Safety, Welfare or Education, or alternatively, as an outstanding committee volunteer.

Award of Merit

For consistently excellent service to the Society over a period of years.

(Maximum of six presented every year)

 

The Bodynfoel Award

For excellent service in promoting the work of the Society.

This could be over a number of years or a recent campaign or initiative.

Helen Barton Smith Silver Stirrup Award

For meritorious work in support of young riders.

This could be an individual, a centre, a group or organisation who has benefited a young individual or group.

Society Awards

Unsung Hero Award

For an individual, group or organisation that has gone above and beyond to contribute to their local equestrian community.

This could be over many years or for a specific cause or campaign. Maximum of six to be presented each year.

Equine Personality of the Year Award

For the horse or pony that does the most for people.

This horse or pony will have made a significant difference to the equestrian community. This may be on a national or local level, over a number of years or for a specific achievement.

Volunteer of the Year Award

For the volunteer who has made a positive impact on their fellow volunteers and/or a significant achievement for the Society.

This could be a longstanding volunteer or someone new to the Society. They will have made a positive impact through their work for the Society on a local or national level.

Young BHS Volunteer of the Year

This award recognises a young person (aged 16–25yrs) who commits time, effort, and a significant contribution through volunteering with the BHS.

Young Persons’ Award

For a person under 25 years who shows outstanding potential and achievement.

This could be as a competitor, volunteer, student or someone working within the equine world.

Pamela Almond Changing Lives through Horses Achieve Award

For a participant in the Changing Lives through Horses programme who has shown exceptional growth and commitment to their personal development.

The Linda Tarrant Award for Services to Equestrianism and Volunteering

This award is given to an individual or organisation who has shown exceptional dedication to equestrianism and volunteering within the BHS South Region.

(Can only include nominees from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire)

Access Awards

Access Award

For excellent service by an individual, a volunteer (team) or Equestrian Access Group for the protection, promotion or extension of equestrian access.

This may include all types of horse driven or ridden routes. This could be over many years or for a specific cause or campaign.

Access Award (organisation)

For excellent service by an organisation, business or professional person for the protection, promotion or extension of equestrian access.

This may include all types of horse driven or ridden routes. This could be over many years or for a specific cause or campaign.

Safety Awards

Safety Award

For excellent service by an individual, volunteer (team) or group in the cause of road safety in the equine community.

This could be over many years or for a specific cause or campaign.

Tarquin Award (for the last 12 months)

For excellent service by an organisation, business or professional person in the cause of equestrian safety.

Sefton Award (presented at the Household Cavalry Barracks, Hyde Park)

For services to the cause of equestrian safety.

View the 2022 recipients of the Sefton Award.

Welfare Awards

Welfare Award

For consistently excellent service by an individual, volunteer (team) or group in the cause of equine welfare.

This could be over many years or for a specific cause or campaign.

Welfare Award (organisation)

For excellent service by an organisation, business or professional person in the cause of equine welfare.

This could be over many years or for a specific cause or campaign.

Education

Accredited Professional Coach Award - Approved Centre

For a coach who has made the greatest difference to their students and the field of equestrian training within an Approved Centre.

This could be over a period of many years or for their impact over the last 12 months.

Accredited Professional Coach Award - Freelance

For a freelance coach who has made the greatest difference to their students and the field of equestrian training.

This could be over a period of many years or for their impact over the last 12 months.

Changing Lives Through Horses Coach Award

For a coach in the CLTH programme who has shown exceptional dedication to their participant’s personal growth and development.

Approvals

Approved Centre

For the centre that has made the greatest difference to their community.
Recipients of this award will be committed to promoting the BHS values.

This could be over a period of many years or for their impact over the last 12 months

Changing Lives through Horses Approved Centre Award

For an approved CLTH centre who has shown exceptional inspiration, engagement, innovation and commitment. 

Exceptional Awards

These awards are not presented every year.

The Lady Elizabeth Kirk Award

This award celebrates individuals, businesses or organisations who have voluntarily dedicated a bridleway.

Chairman's Commendation

For exceptional work by a BHS Committee, British Riding Club or Equestrian Access Group.

This may be a particularly hard-working group who continually upholds and promotes the Society’s aims and objectives. This could be over a number of years or a recent campaign or initiative.

The Elwyn Hartley-Edwards Award

For a writer, broadcaster or publication whose work has been particularly beneficial to promoting the enjoyment of equestrianism and raising awareness of BHS campaigns and wider issues within the equine industry.

Exceptional Achievement Award

For a notable triumph against the odds showing determination, courage and sportsmanship.

This may be over a period of years or for a specific achievement.

Fundraising Award

For a superlative effort in raising funds for the Society or in recognition of an innovative fundraising method e.g. this may be a new idea that can be successfully repeated year after year.