Anneli Drummond-Hay has passed away at the age of 84 after a short illness. The Scottish native started her career in eventing and rode her first European championship at the age of seventeen. She won Badminton and Burghley, among others, but was also extremely successful in show jumping. She won numerous Grand Prix’s and became European champion three times.
Drummond-Hay was born on August 4, 1937 in Scotland. She was only 17 years old when she rode her first European Championship. She won Burghley in 1961 with Merely-A-Monarch and Badminton a year later. As a woman she was not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games and therefore made the switch to show jumping.
Olympic dream gone up in smoke
At the time of the Olympics in 1964, women were allowed to participate and Drummond-Hay was shortlisted in all three disciplines. Unfortunately, Merely-A-Monarch was sold and although the rider was allowed to continue to ride it, a change in the situation prevented her from entering the Games. She was shortlisted again for the 1968 Games, but because she had recently signed a sponsorship deal, she was classified as a professional and saw her Olympic dream go up in smoke.
Sportswoman of the Year
Drummond-Hay has been named British Sportswoman of the Year three times and has represented Great Britain in several major international competitions. She also broke the British high jump record with 2.36m. She then emigrated to South Africa, her second home country. There she won the South African Derbies twice and was South African sportswoman of the year eight times.
Bron: Horse & Hound
