cover

The Ella Popely Award Foundation

News

2025 Mentorship Programme - Applications now open
2025 Mentorship Programme - Applications now open

You can now submit an application by completing the following online form:

https://forms.gle/N6KUYTX1XudwnXau7

THE ELLA POPELY AWARD - ‘In the pursuit of sporting excellence’

OBJECTIVE
To give an up and coming British Showjumping rider aged between 18 - 25 years old an opportunity to be mentored by one of the best riders in the world.

The award will be for a talented individual who is competing at 1.40 level who has also shown exceptional resilience and dedication in the pursuit of sporting excellence.

They will have shown themselves to:
- be a true sportsperson who represents the sport well at all levels
- be a team player who encourages others
- is focused on their riding without it being at the detriment to others

One person will be identified by the end of each year, from a panel of selectors, and be matched with a mentor who feels they can assist the individual to develop further in the sport.

From an initial one to two day mentoring, the mentor will commit to aligning with the rider from an advice and guidance perspective for the twelve month period.

AWARD WINNERS
2024 - Lauren Caroline (mentor: Shane Breen)
2023 - Faye Sutton (mentor: Michael Whitaker)
2022 - Robert Murphy (mentor: Peter Charles MBE)
2020 - Millie Allen (mentor: Anthony Condon)
2019 - William Fletcher (mentor: Laura Kraut)
2018 - Jake Saywell (mentor: Lauren Hough)


FURTHER SELECTION & AWARD INFORMATION
The selection panel is comprised of:
Lea Popely
Clare Whitaker

SELECTION & ANNOUNCEMENT for 2025 Applicants
• The selected rider will be informed the first week in December 2024.
• Presentation to be at London International Horse Show December 2024.

2025 MENTORSHIP
Eligible riders who are currently members of British Showjumping are invited to apply for the 2025 mentorship by submitting an application form by 5pm on Thursday 30th November 2024.


Mentorship – Key Benefits in 2025

- 12 month mentorship
The mentorship will be specifically tailored to the Award Winner following an initial discussion
between the award winner and the mentor to ascertain the year’s objectives.

- 12 month British Showjumping membership for the winner and 1 horse registration
A free British Showjumping membership renewal for both the winner and one of their horses.

- Hickstead show credit package
One free stable at each of the three Hickstead shows over the season plus one annual riding
membership. If only one or two shows are contested, then the unused free stable can be
transferred across

*Additional support over and above the mentorship may be available

Lauren Caroline Awarded the Ella Popely Mentorship Award 2024
Lauren Caroline Awarded the Ella Popely Mentorship Award 2024

After a record number of applications, Lauren Caroline was selected to be the recipient of the Ella Popely Mentorship Award 2024.

Lauren has been paired with Shane Breen who will act as a mentor, ensuring that Lauren receives the best advice and guidance to help achieve her goals for this year.

Lauren and her bay gelding Gait L were part of the Bronze Medal winning Junior Team at the European Championships in Gorla Minore, Italy, and took Individual Gold in 2022.

We'd like to thank all applicants and we encourage you to reapply this year.

To make a donation

To make a donation
By receiving your kind donations, The Ella Popely Award Foundation will be able to support more young riders 18 - 25 to achieve their goals by providing training, resources, mentorship and support to becoming professional riders and establishing themselves within the industry. You can make a donation through the following link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KZ2HF46TVK23G Awards will be for talented individuals who have also shown exceptional resilience and dedication in the pursuit of sporting excellence. We will support Great Britain's brightest equestrian sporting prospects.

Team