The patron of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses HRH Princess Benedikte also serves as chairperson of the association Dressurens Venner (Friends of Dressage) - an association she herself instituted in 2007. During the break of the FEI Dressage World Cup Freestyle in Herning, the Princess awarded the president of WBFSH Jan Pedersen (DEN) with the prestigious prize "Lis Hartels Mindepris" (Lis Hartels Memorial award).
At the ceremony, HRH Princess Benedikte said:
"This year's recipient of the Lis Hartels Memorial Award has, through his many years working for Danish Warmblood, helped to strengthen the Danish dressage horse.
Jan Pedersen's invaluable work as a breeder and leader of our Breeding Association and as president of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses has promoted and helped develop breeding.
The Danish Warmblood Stallion Show, with its professional, competitive, and beautiful show, has become an extremely popular event also far outside the country's borders.
Danish Warmblood horses have won 20 medals at the Young Horse World championships, 11 of which are gold, which speaks volumes.
Jan Pedersen has the ability to appoint efficient teams and undertake tasks with long perspectives that benefit breeding and dressage. Danish-bred dressage horses are highly regarded, bred for durability and elegance – we can rightly be proud of Danish Warmblood dressage horses."
Said an emotional Jan Pedersen, “I have rarely been as moved as I am today. To receive this award, and to have it presented here in Herning by the Princess, and to be mentioned in the same sentence as Lis Hartel, and to have my name engraved in this trophy with such luminaries who have already received the award, it cannot get much bigger for me. I am incredibly honored, proud, and very grateful, and I would like to thank the board because they have chosen to think of me in this context.”
Pictured: HRH Princess Benedikte, together with Jan Pedersen, president of WBFSH and a representative from the family Siesbye-Hartel, Nicole Siesby-Suhr
Photo credit: Ridehesten.com/Jørgen Bak Rasmussen
