BEF presents Sam Barr with Medal of Honour at Burghley Horse Trials

4th September 2009

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) presented Sam Barr, founder of the Welton Stud based in Hartpury, Gloucestershire, with a BEF Medal of Honour during the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials on Friday 4th September. The medal recognises the outstanding achievement and contribution that Sam has made to the International Equestrian World. 

"Over the years Sam, wearing many different hats, has made a huge and significant contribution to the sport of Eventing," comments Mike Etherington-Smith, Chief Executive of British Eventing (BE).  "He has competed at the top level, he has bred horses that have won at 4 star level and represented Great Britain through his well known Welton Stud. He has supported many riders over the years and given them excellent opportunities to ride his horses and has also been instrumental in raising the awareness of the importance of breeding in GB."

The BEF Medal of Honour is an award designed to recognise activities connected with international endeavour in relation to equestrian sport, it is awarded for outstanding services to the British Equestrian Federation or one of its member bodies. This can be in recognition of riding prowess or other support of the British international effort.

Born in 1920 into a dairy farming family, Sam took care of the family farm through the war.  He loves hunting and in 1961 bought a yearling colt which he raised amongst the heifers.  He started breeding with the colt, Welton Gameful and the progeny became very successful, so much so that in 1978 Sam decided to sell the dairy herd and concentrate on breeding event horses with Gameful as his foundation stallion. They named it the Welton Stud. 

Since its small beginnings Sam, with his wife Linda always by his side, developed the stud to the internationally renowned status it now enjoys.  Dozens of eventing horses with the prefix Welton have competed and still compete at international level, plus Sam has bred numerous other successful horses that do not bear the Welton name.

At the 1995 European Champions in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, three horses bred by Sam competed, including the European Champion, Welton Romance. Welton Chit Chat (by Welton Louis) won Bramham in 1991 with Ginny Leng and Santiago Centenera was placed at the 1993 European Championships in Achselschwang, Germany. In 2000, Welton Envoy ridden by Bythe Tait, won the Rolex Kentucky 4 star event on Sam's 80th birthday.

Welton Louis and Welton Crackerjack (both by Welton Gameful) are both top sires in their own right, with more than 20 event horses sired by Welton Louis competing in international three-day events.  Welton Crackerjack's offspring include Welton Houdini, winner at Badminton in 1993 with Ginny Leng, Just A Cracker, Welton Comedian and Welton Greylag, winner of the 1991 Burghley Horse Trials with Mark Todd.

Sam started eventing himself at the age of 50 and Welton Gameful sired his ride, Welton Friday, at the 1984 Burghley Horse Trials, where he made his debut at the age of 64.

Always very keen to promote British breeding and the best that Britain can produce, in 2002 Sam co-founded the BE Breeding committee with Jane Holderness-Roddam, Patrick Rolfe and Vincent Jones.  This committee instigated the BE Breeding Championships which were rechristened the Young Event Horse Championships in 2007.  This series has grown in stature and prestige year on year and Sam personally offers a substantial prize for the Best British Bred mare, with the intention that the winner uses this prize towards a stallion fee or other breeding purpose. 

Mike Etherington-Smith adds: "On top of all his great achievements Sam has a huge passion for the sport which has been clearly demonstrated over the years. He understands the sport from all angles and has earned respect for his thoughts and suggestions which are always perceptive and constructive. In all of this he has had the support and enthusiasm of his wife Linda who has also been very much at the forefront of all that he has done, a true team effort.

"It is thoroughly befitting that Sam is being awarded the BEF Medal of Honour for his outstanding contribution over many years to the sport of Eventing and I speak personally and on behalf of many people who believe that this is a richly deserved recognition."

"The British Equestrian Federation is very proud of all the hard working individuals who make equestrian sport the success it is in this country," comments Andrew Finding, Chief Executive of the BEF. "Without the dedication and commitment of individuals like Sam we would not be in the fortunate position of being one of the greatest equestrian nations in the World. On behalf of the British Equestrian Federation I would like to congratulate Sam on his well deserved award of the BEF Medal of Honour."