Virginia Leng
Encyclopedia
Virginia Helen Antoinette Holgate, also known as Ginny Leng, (born 2 February 1955 in Malta
) was a British
equestrian
competitor who achieved many notable successes in the 1980s, including winning the Individual European Eventing title on 3 consecutive occasions, 1985, 1987 and 1989, a feat which has never been equalled before or since.
She won several national and international titles, including the European Champion, the Badminton Horse Trials
and the Burghley Horse Trials
a record five times. Among her mounts were Murphy Himself
, Night Cap III, and Priceless
, the latter two by the eventing stallion Ben Faerie
. Since the 1980s, she has written several books.
Ginny Elliott, as she is now known, remains an avid supporter and contributor to the sport of eventing as she is currently (2009) the manager of the Irish Eventing Team.
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
) was a British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
competitor who achieved many notable successes in the 1980s, including winning the Individual European Eventing title on 3 consecutive occasions, 1985, 1987 and 1989, a feat which has never been equalled before or since.
She won several national and international titles, including the European Champion, the Badminton Horse Trials
Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials is a three-day event, one of only six annual Concours Complet International Four Star **** events as classified by the Fédération Équestre Internationale , which takes place in April or May each year in the park of Badminton House, the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort in...
and the Burghley Horse Trials
Burghley Horse Trials
The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is an annual three day event held at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, currently in early September...
a record five times. Among her mounts were Murphy Himself
Murphy Himself
Murphy Himself was a horse that excelled in the sport of eventing, under rider Ian Stark.* Color: Gray* Sex: Gelding* Height: 16.1 hh* Breed: Irish-bred Thoroughbred* Breeding: by Royal Renown...
, Night Cap III, and Priceless
Priceless (horse)
Priceless was a horse ridden by British rider Virginia Leng. She competed the gelding in the sport of eventing. Priceless won four team gold medals for Britain, as well as the Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse Trials.*Color: Bay...
, the latter two by the eventing stallion Ben Faerie
Ben Faerie
Ben Faerie is a stallion who has had a great influence on eventing horses in Great Britain. His descendants include Virginia Leng's mounts Priceless and Nightcap, and Pippa Funnell's mounts Primmore's Pride and Walk on Star.*Foaled: 1968...
. Since the 1980s, she has written several books.
Ginny Elliott, as she is now known, remains an avid supporter and contributor to the sport of eventing as she is currently (2009) the manager of the Irish Eventing Team.