Karen Hughes Memorial Award

Congratulations to Lucy Miles groom of Classic Moët and Ascona M (ridden by Jonelle and Tim Price respectively) as winner of the inaugural "Karen Hughes Memorial Groom's Award", following the nail biting final leg of the Event Rider Masters at Blenheim Palace on Saturday 16th September. 

The ERM attracts such a high calibre of horse and rider it was only fitting that the inaugural trophy be presented to Lucy Miles as a groom who showed such a high level of horse care, presentation and total dedication to the wellbeing of their charge throughout the whole competition.

Karen Hughes dedicated her whole life to horses and Eventing. Working with the best in the world she groomed at multiple national and international competitions for over 25 years including five Olympic Games. 

Diagnosed with cancer in November 2011 Karen continued to work hard and with her Drs help she was to able to continue her Olympic support grooming for Japan (London 2012) and was key to the preparation of Lochlan Glen for the USA at Rio 2016, the horse that won her last CCI*** at Blenheim in 2015. Karen was a font of knowledge, offering help to all in need at competitions, she was always looking at new techniques and could be relied upon to always put the horse's health and wellbeing first before anything else. 

We would like to thank Event Rider Masters for giving us the opportunity to join them at Blenheim and for allowing us to present this trophy in Karen's memory. 

Thanks also go to The Mark Todd Collection for kindly donating a jacket to the winning groom.  This came in very handy as the presentation was made just as the heavens opened!

Photo credit Benjamin Clark Photography