2015 Badminton winning Chilli Morning inducted into the BHS Hall of Fame
Each year the British Horse Society (BHS) inducts the best of the equine world, into its Hall of Fame. On Thursday 24th November four horses and one coach were inducted into the Hall of Fame in the 2016 awards including three famous eventing horses and the recently appointed British Eventing Performance Coach, Chris Bartle
Chilli Morning
The 2015 Badminton winning stallion Chilli Morning, owned by Christopher Stone and his wife Lisa, retired from competition following the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
“He’s given me a lot in his life and he doesn’t owe me anything” said William “He has not put a foot wrong for a long time”
Despite being a stallion Chilli was one of the most laid back equine characters in the sport and is now helping to create a new dynasty of young eventing horses
Nicola Wison and Opposition Buzz
Opposition Buzz (Dodi)
Opposition Buzz may never had won a CCI4* in his illustrious career but he was one of the most popular horses in recent British eventing history. Ridden by Nicola Wilson, Opposition Buzz was the pathfinder for the British team at two European Championships (Fontainebleu 2009 and Luhmühlen 2011), the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky 2010 and the London 2012 Olympic Games due to his fantastic cross country ability
Rosemary Search, who owned and bred him says "To see him recognised in the Hall of Fame is absolutely incredible. It's beyond my wildest dreams. Dodi was just very special to me, not only because I bred him but also because I delivered him myself.”
Avebury
Ridden by Andrew Nicholson and owned by Mark and Rosemary Barlow Avebury – known at home as “Buddy”, a nickname given to him as a foal by Andrew’s daughters Rebecca and Melissa – is the only horse to have won Burghley CCI4* three times (2012-2014) and the Barbury Castle CIC3* four times (2012-2015).
A son of the famous eventing stallion Jumbo, Avebury accumulated 2,113 British Eventing points during a brilliant career but was retired in April 2016 and was sadly put to sleep in September due to a malignant cancer
“He was an out and out winner throughout his life - something he loved doing” said Andrew “ Equally special was the fact that he was so kind and genuinely loved people. It was an honour to breed and ride him, and he is missed by everyone who was associated with him."
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury "He likes it when I ride him like I stole him"
Christopher Bartle FBHS
Yorkshire based Christopher Bartle has achieved great success, not only as an international coach, but also a talented rider and competitor. He was National Dressage Champion from 1984 to 1985. He later turned his attention to eventing and in 1998 won Badminton Horse Trials with Word Perfect.
Christopher, who is a Fellow of the British Horse Society and was the recipient of the inaugural British Horse Society Lifetime Achievement Award for coaching excellence has been the cornerstone of success for the German eventing team for many years and recently was appointed the Performance Coach for British Eventing
"It is a lovely surprise to have been inducted into the BHS Equestrian Hall of Fame” says Christopher “It is a great honour, especially when I see all those successful and well-known members of the equestrian world who are already Laureates. I would like to dedicate this award to my mother, Nicole Bartle. She is sadly no longer alive to see me receive it but she is hugely responsible for it."
Philco
Ridden by David Broome, the show jumping horse Philco made a name for himself in the late 1970s, jumping 29 clear rounds in succession at Wembley International Horseshow. Philco retired from competition at the age of 16 and lived out his days with David until he died at the age of 32.
Plaques to commemorate all of those inducted are displayed on the wall of the Household Cavalry's barracks in Knightsbridge.
