The British Horse Society, yesterday, showed its appreciation to Robert Sullivan-Tailyour, Somerset County Farms, Margaret Peverley, Adrian and Margaret Bigg, Tricia Brook, Margaret English, Gill Storrs, Sally Whittaker, and Carol Shoopman for their hard work and support for the BHS - at an awards ceremony in London.

The Society presented 26 awards to individuals or organisations who have made an outstanding contribution to the BHS's work, at the event at Saddlers' Hall in the City of London.

Robert Sullivan-Tailyour received the Presidents Award for his outstanding work spanning 35 years as a BHS volunteer. Robert has a keen interest in horse riding and founded the Warminster Saddle Club in Wiltshire.

Somerset Country Farms was awarded the Lady Elizabeth Kirk Award in recognition of the voluntary dedication of a bridleway. Somerset County Council Rights of Way Department have an agreement with the Somerset County Council Property Department, to seek proposals for additional definitive access to be created on land which is vacated on the county farm estate, in order to improve existing bridleway networks.

Margaret Peverley, of Mid Somerset Riding Club, received the Leo Harris award for services to affiliated Riding Clubs and Area Liaison.

Adrian and Margaret Bigg were awarded an Access Award for their invaluable work in the legal and technical areas of access and rights of way.

Sally Whittaker was awarded the Bodynfoel Award in recognition of the vast amount of work she has done to promote the work of The British Horse Society. Sally was the creator and driving force for the highly acclaimed BHS Diamond Jubilee Parade at this year's Royal Bath and West Show.

Tricia Brook, BHS South-West Herefordshire District Representative, and Margaret English, Access Assistant, Devon, both received awards marking 30 years of service to the BHS.

Gill Storrs, BHS Riding Road Safety Representative for Dorset, received an award in recognition of her 25 years of service.

Patrick Print, Chairman and a Fellow of The British Horse Society, said: "These award winners are the unsung heroes of equestrianism - people who quietly and ceaselessly graft away for the good of all riders and drivers. Their achievements are immense and we thank them for all they have done."

For more information, please contact Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 01926 707738 or o.wilson@bhs.org.uk.

For photographs from this awards ceremony, please contact Suzanne Goldby, Communications Administrator, 01926 707743 or communications@bhs.org.uk.

1. The British Horse Society has launched an Access Fighting Fund Appeal to fund bridleway legal battles in future. Donations can be made by sending cheques to Access Fighting Fund Appeal, Access Department, The British Horse Society, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2XZ or by visiting www.justgiving.com/AccessFightingFund.

2. The British Horse Society is a charity and membership organisation. It has a membership of more than 106,000 (including British Riding Clubs). Membership information can be obtained on 0844 848 1666

3. November Awards 2007 - Citations:

November Awards 2007 - Full citations:

PRESIDENT'S AWARD - NOVEMBER 2007
For the person who has given truly outstanding service to the Society over a period of years

Recipient: Robert Sullivan-Tailyour

Robert Sullivan-Tailyour has been one of The British Horse Society's greatest assets for more than 35 years. His tireless enthusiasm and passion for the Society has touched many people from all over the country.

His views and judgements are highly regarded, his experience is extensive and he has always kept the welfare of the horse and rider at the forefront of all the work he has undertaken.

Robert's association with horses goes back to early childhood when he learnt to ride at Harborne Riding Centre near Birmingham.

As a young man he chose a career in the Army, but his love of horses went with him. He set up Saddle Clubs in what was then Nyasaland (now Malawi) and subsequently in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

A posting back to Britain saw him as Huntsman for the Aldershot Beagles before moving on to Northern Ireland where he founded and ran a riding centre.

In 1971 he returned to England where he founded the Warminster Saddle Club in Wiltshire, a BHS Approved riding centre that is still going strong today.

Robert's direct involvement with The British Horse Society started in 1979 when he became West Wiltshire District Chairman. In 1988 he became BHS Wiltshire County Chairman and, subsequently in 1994, South West Regional Chairman, a post he still holds today.

Robert is a familiar sight in the South West, not least because of his white van with the BHS logo. He attends shows and events regularly to promote the work of the Society and to offer assistance on equine issues.

The British Horse Society is very fortunate that Robert decided this was the organisation he would like to be involved with and we present him with the President's Award, in recognition of his truly outstanding work, dedication, enthusiasm and service.

THE LADY ELIZABETH KIRK AWARD - NOVEMBER 2007
In recognition of the voluntary dedication of a bridleway

Recipient: Somerset County Farms

Somerset County Council Rights of Way Department have an agreement with Somerset County Council Property Department whereby when a farm on the county farm estate is vacated, the opportunity is taken to seek proposals for additional definitive access prior to sale to improve the existing bridleways network. This has been of advantage to both walkers and riders.

In the last three years riders have benefited from four new dedicated definitive bridleways, all providing strategic links to the all-too-fragmented riding network.

These links are very much appreciated by all riders in Somerset. Moreover, the County Council has provided a model which, we earnestly hope, will be copied by councils the length and breadth of the country.

LEO HARRIS AWARD (presented by British Riding Clubs) - NOVEMBER 2007
For services to affiliated Riding Clubs and Area Liaison

Recipient: Margaret Peverley

The 2007 Leo Harris Award is awarded to Margaret Peverley from Mid Somerset Riding Club.

A founder member of the Bath and West RC in 1967, Margaret has competed and qualified for RC Championships in Show Jumping, Horse Trials and Dressage.

In 1994 Margaret became Chairman of the Club, steering it through troubled times including the loss of their venue at the Royal Bath and West Show Ground.

After this the Club reformed to become Mid Somerset RC and went from strength to strength. Never missing an event, Margaret has put in hundreds of hours behind the scenes.

Also very active at Area level, Margaret is on the 2007 Area Festival Committee and even provides the refreshments at the ALC meetings.

With 48 years services to BRC, the BRC Executive Committee agreed that Margaret is a very worthy candidate for the Leo Harris Award.

ACCESS AWARD - NOVEMBER 2007
For the BHS member who has done most for equestrian access

Recipient: Adrian and Margaret Bigg

Adrian and Margaret have worked energetically for access and rights of way on legal and technical, campaign and local bridleway group matters.

They have both been County Access and Bridleway Officers for Cornwall for four years, and continue to face the changing terrain of equestrian access work with enthusiasm and dedication.

They have invested countless hours of dedication and commitment to extending equestrian access routes for riders and carriage drivers throughout Cornwall.

They have done this in a variety of ways including the creation of a number of Bridleway Groups aimed at promoting, defending and extending the Public Rights of Way Network.

The brilliant Cornish Access website (www.accesscornwall.org.uk) is a testament to their determination to preserve the riding and carriage driving opportunities we currently enjoy, and to improve the bridleway and ridden and driven routes in the county.

Adrian and Margaret are a shining example of what can be achieved in a large and complicated county.

BODYNFOEL AWARD - NOVEMBER 2007
For the person who has done most to promote the work of The British Horse Society Recipient: Sally Whittaker

Sally was the brains and driving force behind the highly acclaimed BHS Diamond Jubilee Parade at this year's Royal Bath and West Show.

The Parade, which featured in the main ring on all four days, celebrated 60 years of the horse and the work of the BHS.

Among others, participants from showing, driving, dressage, Pony Club, riding schools, Riding for the Disabled, racing, Mounted Police, stunt riding racing, western, polo, TREC and hunting were represented.

This was backed up with commentary about the horses and the Society's work on Ragwort, Low Flying Helicopters, Strangles, Access, Safety, Training and Welfare.

Sally spent hours on the telephone organising the event. Even the 'Diamond Suit' worn by the Diamond Pony at the end of the parade was Sally's idea and she sourced the company to custom-make this.

The profile of the BHS in the South West of the Country reached new heights during the four days of the show. Sally would be the first to credit all the other people who helped, but the truth is that none of this would have happened without Sally's vision, passion, enthusiasm and dedication.

9:27am Wednesday 21st November 2007

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