The Princess Royal is to be honoured with the highest award in equine sports for her achievements and contributions to the equestrian community. She will be presented with the Longines Ladies Award at a ceremony, which will be held on June 13 at London’s Natural History Museum.
This is the fourth year that this prestigious award is to be handed out. It honours women who have been consistent in their achievements and accomplishments in the equestrian community and who have contributed significantly to the sport and industry as a whole. Previous recipients include Princess Haya Al Hussein of Jordan, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, Criquette Head-Maarek, Jing Li, Bo Derek, Sophie Thalmann and Athina Onassis de Miranda.
This year’s award-winners have been judged and decided on by three leaders in the equestrian world: Mr. Ingmar de Vos, President of the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale); Mr. Louis Romanet, Chairman of the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities); and Mrs. Nathalie Bélinguier, President of the FEGENTRI (International Federation of Gentleman and Lady Riders).
Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines said: “We are delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is to be honoured this year’s Longines Ladies Awards. She is a formidably talented horsewoman and deserves huge praise for her achievements and contributions in the equestrian world. We are thrilled to have her as our special guest at this year’s awards.”
Longines has been associated with equestrian sport since 1878, when it first produced a chronograph with a jockey and horse. These were first used to time races on the course in 1881. Longines remains very popular with jockeys and professionals, and is still used to time events on courses today.
For more than forty years, the Princess Royal has been a keen sportswoman and horse rider. She competed with the British Eventing team for several years. She was also nominated for Sportswoman of the Year by the Sports Writer’s Association, the Daily Express and World Sport; and the British public voted her the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
In 1971, she became European Champion. She won three more European Championship medals: team bronze in 1973; team individual and team silver two years later. The following year, she was selected to represent great Britain in the Summer Olympics in Montreal Canada. Her stellar performances on horseback led to her being appointed President of the International Equestrian Federation. She served two terms, in 1986 and 1994.