Recognising the sacrifice made by this volunteer to enable countless others to enjoy their sport or profession week in, week out.
They may not stand under the spotlight, but these are are the stars behind the scenes that make the equestrian world tick – who will you vote for in the annual Horse & Hound Awards?
The H&H Podcast Unsung Hero of the Year 2025 shortlist
Janice Bridger
The British Horse Society regional access and bridleways officer has acted as a go-between for horse riders and local authorities for 25 years
Janice first got involved in equestrian access when the A34 southbound underwent works near Chieveley. Thanks to her advocacy for horse and rider safety, the plans were adapted and resulted in the bridleway bridge spanning the seven lanes near the M4 junction.
Since then, TREC enthusiast Janice’s dedicated input has helped improve and secure precious bridleways in several highways and access projects, including the Eling Way, an off-road path on a disused railway link between the villages of Hermitage and Hampstead Norreys and the Snelsmore Common to Chieveley link path, which helps horse riders avoid a busy road.
Victoria Privett
The equine-canine safety campaigner gives her time to raise awareness and support riders affected by encounters with loose dogs
Posting under the handle @endurancewithdarcey, Victoria uses social media videos to highlight incidents with horses and loose dogs after she and her mare were attacked nearly three years ago. Her TikTok series has become an awareness and educational tool viewed by horse-owning and non-horse-owning people alike, and is soon to transform into an educational campaign called Leash and Release.
Victoria is in conversation with the British Horse Society and MPs in a bid to enshrine greater protection for horse riders in UK law. “It’s about education and trying to keep everyone safe, because it’s not just the horses and their riders at risk,” she says. “It’s the dogs, their owners and the general public.”
Mellisa Startin
The pioneer who started a brand-new riding club, fosters an ethos of inclusivity at monthly shows, and makes all the rosettes herself
With 23 horses between her and her two daughters, Mellissa has a lot on her plate. Add to that Northants Riders Club, which she founded 10 years ago, and the schedule is all but full. The club puts on a showing and dressage show once a month, with two championships a year.
“It should always be positive, that’s my thing,” she says. “I want to make sure competitors leave with a smile on their face and a fantastic experience, no matter the result.”
Part of this are the show’s signature ornate and interactive rosettes, which Mellissa makes by hand. Some spin, some light up, all are like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
Tony Sturge
The super-groom dad who, in his 70s, still turns up every day for his daughter… and even does laps of honour
Karen Sturge’s dedicated father, Tony, looks after her horses for her while she works as a paramedic, as she puts it, “365 days a year”. He’s a whizz at shows, too.
“He grooms, polishes, maintains feet – and we get amazing results,” Karen says. “This year alone, we have won seven championships and two national championships, with judges always remarking on the grooming efforts.
“My classes clashed at the national veteran championships, and I was first in one ring and champion in the other. Dad had to step in again and claim my win and championship. The judges even made him do a lap of honour without a horse!”
Voting closes at 5pm on Thursday 30 October and the winners will be revealed at a star-studded ceremony on 26 November, and featured online, on social media and in the following week’s magazine (4 December). Read the H&H Awards 2025 terms and conditions
Previous winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- 2023: Sarah Hills, who volunteers on horseback for Suffolk Constabulary
- 2022: Phil Wadey & Sarah Bucks: British Horse Society (BHS) access champions
- 2021: Adrian Bigg, for his work preserving rights of way
- 2020: Aged 81, Esme Fordham for her unstinting work at the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary
- 2019: Olivia Robertson
- 2018: Keith Watkins
- 2017: Mary Tuckett
- 2016: Jane Cepok
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2025
The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 10th year, being held in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which is decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We will recognise both the big names who have made 2025 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.
The ceremony will take place at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including stars of this summer’s European Championships, will enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 26 November.
