A former police officer has been given an award for making an ’outstanding contribution’ in horse riding and road safety in the island.

Helen Goldie of the British Horse Society (BHS) Isle of Man received a Sefton Award for Services to Equestrian Safety at The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment where she was recognised for her efforts.

The regiment is the monarch’s trusted guardians and is one of the oldest regiments in the British Army.

Mrs Goldie said: ’I am honoured to receive the award for the work I have done on the island.

’In partnership with the Isle of Man Constabulary and its road safety team through my role as the local BHS equestrian safety advisor, we have been able to make great progress is making the roads safer and in educating many about safety around horses.

’The local committee of the BHS is actively working to support our equestrian community and is going from strength to strength.’

Presenting the awards to Mrs Goldie and two others was Major Richard Chambers, the current riding master of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

In 2016 he won the Olympia Services Showjumping Competition on his military working horse called High Tide.

The director of safety for the BHS, Alan Hiscox, also attended the awards.

Mrs Goldie was given a full private tour of the Household Cavalry and got to see all of the horses, tack and uniforms and a private parade.