It’s that time of the year where we all look back on our sporting achievements, have we achieved our goals and dream up our aspirations for the new year/decade to come. Which got me thinking….
Cathal Daniels has been nominated and made the long list for RTE Sports Person of the Year over in Ireland a couple of weeks ago - a worthy achievement after Cathal’s medal-winning performance this season and I hope he does well.
Cathal Daniels & Rioghan Rua - FEI European Championships - Bronze medal winners
The BBC announced their shortlist for Sports Personality of the Year and no Equestrian sports made the shortlist. Not unsurprising but somewhat disappointed none the less. The Beeb have recently announced their last and only racing correspondent will leave the corporation in April and we already have had most equestrian sport relegated to the red button if at all. Whilst there is no doubt that Ben Stokes is a worthy winner of SPOTY, it would have been apt that equestrian sports were given some coverage.
6 out of the top 10 sporting events by attendance were equestrian events in 2017 (latest stats available) and equestrian/racing came second as the most attended sport across the year with 7.5m people attending an event. So why is the sport abandoned by the major end-of-year sporting awards? BT Sport were the only one to recognise the magnitude of public enthusiasm for the sport. BT Sports Action Woman of the Year saw two equestrian athletes make the shortlist – the shortlist is then opened up to a public vote and a resounding victory for Pippa Funnell was delivered. A fabulous ambassador for Equestrianism, let alone Eventing.
Pippa Funnell: Recently crowned BT Sport Acton Woman of the Year, Burghley Champion & LEGEND
In this little land we are blessed to have current FEI Eventing World Number One Oliver Townend, a record-breaking number of International victories for Piggy French, the evergreen now award -winning Pippa Funnell. This is before we look at Racing, Showjumping, dressage, European medallists amongst others.
The FEI have this week released the top 5 sporting moments from the decade, with two Brits in the top 3. Equestrian sports and in particular Team GBR are in rude health, its just a shame this isn’t reflected in mainstream sport coverage.
So in this season of celebration and reviews, here is my personal 2019 Eventing Highlights:
For me this season has been jam packed with drama, elation, joy and the odd rings of disappointment - this year has had it all:
Best moment
There was only ever going to be one contender here wasn’t there - Gary completing Badminton - the elation that he had delivered a completion at five star. A completion that his rider, his owner and his biggest fan had all believed possible had been achieved. Relief. Elation. But most of all a sense of satisfaction that all the doubters had been silenced.
He broke the record for the best dressage score at Badminton (19.7) and finished in the Top 6. A worthy result for all who held their faith in this talented equine.
This season the brilliant Cillnabradden Evo has had an eye-watering average dressage score of 22.7!
My hero, the gorgeous, enigmatic Cillnabradden Evo.
We all have favourites and he is mine.
‘If Carlsberg made horse…’ The enigma that is CILLNABRADDEN EVO & Oliver Townend clear the Joules Corners at Badminton this spring
Best Event
Wow, this is a tricky one as genuinely there’s been plenty of brilliant events, but for me I’d have to say the Europeans at Luhmuhlen.
First class hospitality, all of the press pack were welcomed with open arms. Great access to each discipline and the opportunity to get wonderful photos. The press team checked we all got what we wanted, great arena-side location and plenty of Langos!!
Oh and the gifted alcoholic beverages from Quarrycrest Echo’s owner also helped! Thank you Jayne
Medal winning Team GB after securing SILVER at the FEI European Championships, Luhmuhlen, Germany
Best result
A bit of a cliché now, but it has to be Pippa’s Burghley victory – a victory that has seen her crowned ‘Horserail Moment of the Year’ at this year’s Horse& Hounds Awards held recently in Cheltenham.
But for me whilst the victory and the manner in which she led from start to finish was so great to see, it was the aftermath that really shone through - when all the elation, emotion and frank press conference discussion had subsided, a coy Pippa came into the press tent and apologised for disturbing the hive of deadline-crunching activity that was going on, to thank all the journo’s and photographers. ‘Thank us?’ someone clammed and Pippa replied “why yes you guys cover this wonderful event and help make Burghley what it is and for that I’m grateful. I just want to thank everyone that helps to make Burghley, Burghley; the epic event is it and what makes winning it so wonderfully special”
It wasn’t that she said thank you; although these events are rare – but then thanks for attending some of the greatest sporting events of the year aren’t necessary; it was indeed that she was so magnanimous and humble in her victory. To thank everyone on site for contributing to this great event only made her victory that bit more delightful and deserved.
Burghley winner - Pippa Funnell
Pinch-myself moment
Walking into the Badminton press tent on the first day, knowing that I was there not through winning a competition this time or sneaking in unofficially; I was there through merit of my own work. Little old me had got a commission to cover the event and had applied myself.
To all those wondering whether to carry on, to keep going trying to break into this wonderful world, keep going. You will get there.
The hallowed turf of Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials
Girl-Power Moment of the Year
Whilst the cliché is getting well-worn now, the form of our new mothers can not be ignored. It seems you are more likely to win Badminton, the sports greatest event, if you are female and have recently started a family. This year’s biggest victories have all been females atop the podiums. Piggy won Badminton, Kitty won Bramham, Ingrid took Gold in Germany, Pippa won Burghley and Osberton’s Young Horse Championship’s were also a clean sweep of female talent including two-a-piece for returning new mom Ros and Piggy sealing her record-breaking International wins.
Equestrian sports remain leading in terms of everyone competing on a level playing field, male, female, pro’s against amateurs alike – the equality in our sports should really be celebrated and promoted don’t you think.
Ros Canter & Shannondale Nadia
Almost Moment
I came agonisingly close to having my first magazine front cover this year. Whilst I am unbelievably proud to have come so far, it was disappointing nonetheless to fall at the final hurdle in this race. A target for next season for sure!
What have been your highlights of the year?
Enjoy your mince pies everyone, have a well-deserved Christmas tipple and see you in the next decade…