The 2017 Chris Hodson Scholarship has been awarded to FEI official and Jumping stalwart Kaye Williams.

Kaye Williams, an FEI L2 Jumping Judge, is attending a Level 3 promotion FEI Jumping Judge’s course in Sydney in December and the funds will go a long way towards her overall costs.  This will be a huge help to ESNZ Jumping, who only have two other current Level 3 FEI Judges, who are both heavily relied upon.

Kaye’s nomination came with Jumping’s endorsement that she “is the ideal candidate for the Chris Hodson Scholarship as she is not only passionate about the sport but has an outstanding track record of experience and competency as a FEI Level 2 Judge and Level 1 Steward.”

Kaye has a lifelong involvement with the sport as a rider, volunteer, board member, show organiser, Chef d’Equipe and currently holds the position of National Jumping Selector and Horse of the Year Equestrian Committee member. She is an asset to both ESNZ and the discipline of Jumping.

Many thanks to Chris Hodson for this generous initiative that will go a long way to ensuring ESNZ has suitably qualified FEI Officials for years to come.

Purpose

The purpose of the scholarship is to support the development of a dedicated New Zealand Official who is deemed to have potential and aspirations of being promoted to a higher level FEI Official.  The scholarship is also seen as a long-term investment into an official who ESNZ hopes will continue in their role for many years to come.

The Chris Hodson Scholarship was established in 2015 in recognition of Chris Hodson’s outstanding service to ESNZ as an ESNZ Board Member from 1998 to 2015 and President from 2011 to 2015.

The Scholarship was for $10,000 ($2,000 per annum for the next five years) to be awarded to an aspiring New Zealand FEI Official.  The first scholarship was awarded in 2016 to FEI Veterinarian and ESNZ Vet General Dr Tony Parsons.  Dr Parsons attended an FEI Veterinarian Conference in Athens.