last updated on August 28, 2009 18:28

More medals for dressage at the Championships; Emma Hindle (pictured), Sophie Christiansen and Simon Laurens were among the exclusive group of individuals to receive BEF medals of honour yesterday in recognition of their services to sport. The accolade, which is given on the basis of outstanding achievement and contribution to the international equestrian world was presented during the evening performance of the Alltech FEI European Dressage and Jumping Championships on Thursday 27th August. Recipients are selected on the basis of riding prowess or other support of the British international effort.

Sophie Christiansen, although just 21 years old, has successfully represented Great Britain Internationally for four years. Her first major International competition was the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, where she won individual bronze in the Grade I category. In 2005 Sophie took treble gold in the European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships and followed this with freestyle gold and individual bronze at the World Championships at Hartpury in 2007. At the 2008 Paralympic Games she won team gold, individual silver and freestyle gold, a performance she matched at the 2009 European Championships, helping to ensure that Great Britain remain unbeaten in Para-Equestrian Dressage.

Emma Hindle has represented Great Britain in International level Dressage competitions for nearly 20 years, competing consistently well at junior, young rider and senior Championships. As an under-21 she was on the team for the junior European Championships in 1989 and 1990 and the young rider European Championships in 1992, 1993 and 1996. In Emma’s Senior Championship debut in 2003 she helped the team win bronze at the European Championships and was the highest placed British rider with Wie Weltmeyer. She has been a stalwart of the British team ever since including producing one of the best British Performances of all time to finish 7th at the Olympic Games in 2008. Just this week she was part of the silver medal winning team at the European Championships at Windsor.

Simon Laurens started his Para-Equestrian Dressage career in 2005 and was a member of the winning British team at the 2006 Hartpury International, where he also won the individual and team tests. He won team and freestyle gold at the 2007 World Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships. Competing in his first Paralympic Games in 2008, Simon won gold as part of the team and silver in the freestyle test. He recently represented Britain at the 2009 European Championships in Norway where he helped the team to gold and picked up two individual bronze medals.

Tina Cook from British Eventing, Bob Ellis from British Show Jumping and Maggie Maguire from Endurance GB also received awards.

“The British Equestrian Federation is very proud of all the hard working individuals who make equestrian sport the success it is in this country,” comments Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the BEF. “Without the dedication and commitment of our riders, executive staff and volunteers we would not be in the fortunate position of being one of the greatest equestrian nations in the World. On behalf of the British Equestrian Federation I would like to congratulate all the worthy recipients of the Medal of Honour this year.”