FROME College student Steph Smith has been given a special commendation by British Eventing for her volunteer work at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
At the event in September this year, Steph stepped up at the last minute to lead a team of 100 volunteer fence judges when illness struck their organiser.
Steph ensured everyone felt valued, knew their fence position and had all the equipment they needed.
It was then requested by the international eventing stewards, with just a few hours’ notice, that Steph place herself on the cross country course. Steph was placed in the line of the jumping horses to record the rider accuracy through the fence. A challenging task when a half a tonne horse is coming at 25 miles per hour towards her.
Steph has volunteered at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in various roles for the last five years as part of the Young Equestrian Leaders Award and regularly meets top riders like Mark Todd, Pippa Funnell and Zara Tindell.
