The NAF Shining Star Award for July 2016 goes to 11 year-old Ellie McNeil from Selby, North Yorkshire. To gain this nomination, Ellie has proved herself to be a diligent and dedicated worker and an all-round pleasure to coach.

Ellie was nominated for the award by Nicola Sheard, Lead Coach of the Yorkshire Academy and she has this to say about her nominee “Ellie is a dedicated member of the academy and regularly attends all training sessions. She is hardworking and can be found often helping with course building alongside progressing through her NAF Five Star Performance Awards booklet. Ellie is a pleasure to coach and is always willing to try new ideas to help improve her performance. She has shown huge improvement during her training sessions and competitions. Huge congratulations Ellie and keep up the good work.”

Ellie joined British Showjumping in 2015 and has gone from strength to strength. She has grown in confidence thanks to the guidance of Nicola and support of the Yorkshire Academy. The academy not only provides a useful setting for introducing young riders to the sport but also provides a supportive and encouraging environment, which also travels out into the competition arena.

Melissa Newman, NAF Brand Manager, further commented “It is great to hear that Ellie has so much dedication both on the ground and in the saddle, being helpful and willing to try new ideas are excellent qualities to have when looking to improve in your chosen sport. Well done Ellie!”

Ellie will kindly receive some NAF equine products to use alongside the supplements that she currently uses.

The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression and outstanding behaviour along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.