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{"PageID":1361,"ThemeCode":null,"BlogInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News"}],"ID":46,"SpaceID":2,"Name":"News","Description":"Key news items","Author":{"ID":14,"Name":"John Hudson","CompanyName":null,"HasEmail":true},"CreationTime":"18/11/2019 11:00","Tags":[],"URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News","IsWatching":false,"CanWatch":false,"CanPostBlogEntry":false},"EntryInfo":{"Breadcrumbs":[{"Name":"News","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News"},{"Name":"Dianne Luke Awarded British Equestrian Medal of Honour","URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Dianne+Luke+Awarded+British+Equestrian+Medal+of+Honour"}],"ID":1361,"Name":"Dianne Luke Awarded British Equestrian Medal of Honour","Abstract":"Endurance GB celebrates Dianne Luke’s British Equestrian Medal of Honour, recognising decades of service, international endeavour and a lifetime dedicated to horse welfare, officiating and the growth of endurance riding in Great Britain and beyond.","ImageUrl":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/Dianne_Luke.jpg","ThumbnailImageUrl":"","Author":{"ID":18512,"MembershipNumber":null,"Username":null,"Forename":"Bella","Surname":"Fricker","Name":"Bella Fricker","Handle":"Bella","CompanyName":null,"FamilyGroupName":null,"Branch":{"ID":3,"Name":"Cromwell","Description":"Northants, Cambridgeshire, Beds \u0026 Hertfordshire","Icon":null,"Colour":"rgb(208, 58, 73)","Depth":0,"Indent":0,"CanBeSelected":true,"Sections":null,"Label":"\u003cspan class=\u0022label label-default\u0022 style=\u0022background-color: rgb(208, 58, 73)\u0022\u003eCromwell\u003c/span\u003e","LabelLarge":"\u003cspan class=\u0022label label-default label-lg\u0022 style=\u0022background-color: rgb(208, 58, 73)\u0022\u003eCromwell\u003c/span\u003e"},"IsLoggedInUser":false,"ImageUrl":null},"IsDraft":false,"PublicationDate":"Saturday, 20 December 2025","CreationTime":"20/12/2025 05:24","CommentCount":0,"Tags":["International","British Equestrian","Volunteer"],"URL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Dianne+Luke+Awarded+British+Equestrian+Medal+of+Honour","CanAdmin":false},"Content":"\u003cp\u003eEndurance GB is proud to celebrate Dianne Luke, Iceni member and long-standing servant of endurance riding, who has been awarded the British Equestrian Medal of Honour — one of the highest distinctions within British equestrian sport.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Medal of Honour recognises exceptional service and international endeavour, celebrating individuals whose contribution has had a lasting impact both at home and on the world stage. For endurance riding, it is a significant moment of recognition — and for Dianne, a fitting acknowledgement of decades of dedication to the sport.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I had to read the email three times”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDianne was abroad when the news arrived, returning to Abu Dhabi after working at the Asian Championships in Thailand as part of the FEI hyposensitivity team.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I received an email from someone I didn’t recognise and initially thought it was about an AGM meal choice,” she laughs. “Then I re-read it… and re-read it again. I forwarded it to my husband Paul, my son Greg and my daughter Fi — they all replied the same way: \u003cem\u003eWOW\u003c/em\u003e.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe award reflects both the longevity of Dianne’s service and her international contribution. For over 35 years she has been involved in organising endurance rides, a journey that ultimately led to the creation of what is now one of Britain’s most respected endurance events: King’s Forest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom local rides to international recognition\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDianne began organising rides more than three decades ago, initially for BERA and EHPS, before continuing under Endurance GB. King’s Forest evolved over time, becoming part of the Euston Park Festival and later standing alone as an FEI endurance ride — while continuing to host national competition alongside it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“For the past 20 years, with the exception of COVID, we’ve had both a Spring and Summer King’s,” she explains. “It’s hard work — increasingly so — with sponsorship, health and safety demands, forestry charges and the unexpected challenges that come with running an outdoor event.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDriven by a desire to make the event as good as it could possibly be, Dianne took the decision 15 years ago to train as an FEI steward, then a judge, to better understand what officials were looking for at international level. One step led to another, and soon she was receiving invitations to officiate across Europe and beyond.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Dianne is the only British official to hold Level 4 status as a Technical Delegate, Judge and Steward, alongside her work within the FEI Hyposensitivity Control Team — a rare and remarkable achievement.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\u0022https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/image(79).png\u0022 data-image=\u00221\u0022\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA unique perspective on the sport\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’ve been a rider, a crew member, a ride organiser, an FEI official and part of the HCT,” says Dianne. “Seeing the sport from all those angles gives you a really rounded perspective. When you bring that experience onto the international stage, you understand what makes an event fair, safe and successful.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is keen to highlight that officiating at international endurance events carries enormous responsibility.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Officials spend years becoming qualified. We work closely with organisers to safeguard welfare and fairness, and we submit reports after every event to help improve future rides. At Championship level, preparation begins months in advance.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKing’s Forest: a British success story\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKing’s Forest has now hosted over 20 FEI editions and is recognised internationally for its standards, routes and organisation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“To create an event from nothing and see it become internationally known has been incredible,” says Dianne. “Officials from different nations want to come, riders want to compete here, and it has helped British riders progress from national to international level.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChallenges have ranged from weather extremes and forestry changes to last-minute route alterations — but the proud moments stand out just as strongly. From a snow-covered ride where every starter finished, to record-breaking entry numbers approaching 300 horses, King’s Forest has consistently showcased British endurance at its best.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecognition from the FEI that the event is of Championship standard remains a particularly special moment — and one that keeps the dream of hosting a major championship alive.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWelfare, fairness and community\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout her career, horse welfare has remained central to Dianne’s work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’ve seen huge changes over the years — rule developments, more technical courses, and the introduction of hyposensitivity programmes that genuinely work. Education remains key. Ultimately, responsibility lies with riders and trainers.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt high-pressure events, Dianne believes calm communication is vital.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Riders have worked incredibly hard to be there. Officials must remain calm, listen, investigate and consider all sides — while always staying within the rules. Fairness and a level playing field matter.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat she values most, however, is the endurance community itself.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“In Britain, it’s watching riders develop and progress — and knowing none of it would happen without the volunteers and friends who give so much of their time. Internationally, it’s being known as a fair, approachable official and forming friendships with people around the world who share the same passion.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\u0022https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/image(78).png\u0022 data-image=\u00221\u0022\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA moment of recognition for endurance\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the Medal of Honour recognises individual service, Dianne is clear that she does not see it as a personal accolade alone — but as recognition for endurance riding as a whole.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“I’m incredibly proud that endurance, as a non-Olympic discipline, is being acknowledged alongside Olympic equestrian sports,” she says. “I don’t view this award as being about me and I certainly couldn\u0027t do it without the support of my family. I see it as recognition for endurance — for the officials, organisers, riders and volunteers who work so hard, often behind the scenes, to uphold standards and welfare at every level.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA legacy — and a message for the future\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking back, Dianne is clear about what she is most proud of.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“It’s the creation of King’s Forest. To take it from a 10-mile pleasure ride to a 160km FEI event has been a journey. Every year we tried to make it just that little bit better.”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer advice to anyone considering becoming an official is simple:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Do it — and do it now. I retired from teaching ten years ago and now I’m doing what I wanted to do when I was 20. I work with horses across the world in the most exciting way. Every role is different, but all contribute to making endurance as safe and fair as possible.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cimg src=\u0022https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/WhatsApp_Image_2025-12-20_at_05.16.50.jpeg\u0022 data-image=\u00221\u0022\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003ePaul and Dianne Luke, at the London International Horse Show just before Dianne received her Medal of Honour\u003c/figcaption\u003e\u003c/figure\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEndurance GB congratulates Dianne Luke on this outstanding and well-deserved honour.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nHer Medal of Honour recognises not just personal achievement, but a lifetime of service that has shaped British endurance — at home and on the international stage.\u003c/p\u003e","HasCommentsThread":true,"SeoTags":{"OpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"og:title","Name":"Dianne Luke Awarded British Equestrian Medal of Honour"},{"ID":"og:type","Name":"website"},{"ID":"og:url","Name":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Dianne+Luke+Awarded+British+Equestrian+Medal+of+Honour"},{"ID":"og:description","Name":"Endurance GB celebrates Dianne Luke’s British Equestrian Medal of Honour, recognising decades of service, international endeavour and a lifetime dedicated to horse welfare, officiating and the growth of endurance riding in Great Britain and beyond."},{"ID":"og:image","Name":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Client/Images/Cms/Dianne_Luke.jpg"}],"NonOpenGraphTags":[{"ID":"description","Name":"Endurance GB celebrates Dianne Luke’s British Equestrian Medal of Honour, recognising decades of service, international endeavour and a lifetime dedicated to horse welfare, officiating and the growth of endurance riding in Great Britain and beyond."}]},"PageURL":"https://www.endurancegb.co.uk/Cms/Spaces/NEWS/News/Dianne+Luke+Awarded+British+Equestrian+Medal+of+Honour","Comments":[],"UpdatedComments":[],"LastViewTime":null,"CanEdit":false,"CanPublish":false,"CanComment":false,"CanReadComments":false,"CanModerateComments":false}

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