If you know of a breeder who has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to British performance sport horse and pony breeding, the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) need to hear about them!

The British Breeding Breeders’ Awards Dinner will be held at The Grange City Hotel, a five star setting, in the heart of the City of London on Saturday 9 January 2010. The pinnacle of the evening is the presentation of the prestigious “Meritoire”. This is awarded to an individual who has been nominated by their fellows in the equestrian community and in the opinion of the British Breeding Awards Committee, has made a great contribution to the British breeding industry.

The identity of the winner is kept under wraps until the night and last year’s recipient, Johanna Vardon, breeder and founder of the National Foaling Bank, said: “I am so thrilled to have received this, I am enjoying every minute of it.”

Breeders’ Dinner Committee Chairman Desi Dillingham said: “We believe that the outstanding contribution made by British breeders to the equine industry should be heralded and applauded and we are delighted to be able to spearhead this at the Breeders’ Dinner.”

Nominations are now open. If there is someone who you believe has made, or is making, a great contribution towards breeding great performance sport horses or ponies, we would like to hear from you.

Nominations are confidential and the closing date is Monday 7 December 2009. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the link below.