Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was awarded the prestigious Longines Ladies Award in London’s Natural History Museum today.
The Princess Royal, FEI President from 1986-1994 and now an FEI Honorary President, joined global horse sport industry leaders on the eve of Royal Ascot, Britain’s most valuable race meeting, to receive the Longines Ladies Award which celebrates women who have made major contributions to the equestrian industry.
The Princess Royal is known for her life-long love of horses, her successful equestrian career, and her hard work as President and patron of over 300 global charities and organisations, including Save the Children UK and World Horse Welfare, the FEI’s partner for over 30 years.
At the age of 21, The Princess Royal won individual gold at the FEI European Eventing championships at Burghley (GBR) in 1971 on the home-bred gelding Doublet, and four years later took team and individual silver at the FEI European Eventing Championships in Luhmühlen (GER). The following year she became the first member of the British Royal Family to compete at an Olympic Games as part of the British Eventing team in Montreal (CAN) on the Queen’s horse Goodwill.
The Princess Royal has been President of the British Olympic Association since 1983 and became an International Olympic Committee member in 1988. She was part of London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and was a member of the London 2012 Organising Committee.
Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines said: “We are delighted to honour Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as the recipient of this year’s Longines Ladies Award. She is a formidably talented horsewoman and deserves huge praise for her achievements and contributions in the equestrian world as both a competitor and administrator. Longines is thrilled to present her with this special award.”
The jury for the 2016 Longines Ladies Award comprised FEI President Ingmar De Vos, Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and Nathalie Bélinguier, President of the International Federation of Gentleman and Lady Riders (FEGENTRI).
“The Longines Ladies Award is a fitting tribute to The Princess Royal, who has inspired generations of athletes in equestrian sport and has been a role model for all our athletes aiming for the pinnacle of the Olympic and Paralympic Games”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“As we count down to the Rio 2016 Games, it is important that we remember how much The Princess Royal has inspired not just our female athletes but generations of women around the world.
“Countless communities globally have also benefited from The Princess Royal’s focus through her many charitable organisations. It is a real honour for our global equestrian community, together with Longines, to celebrate The Princess Royal’s tireless efforts.”
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