The FEI Awards are back and voting is open for horse lovers to show support for their equestrian heroes from across the globe. Categories include the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom, FEI Against All Odds and FEI Solidarity Awards.
Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry (pictured), who took home two individual dressage gold medals at the World Championships, is one of four nominees for the Best Athlete Award. Her peers include vaulting World Champion Lambert Leclezio from France, para dressage multi World Champion Sanne Voets from the Netherlands, and Swedish showjumping legend, Henrik von Eckermann.
The Rising Star category includes British eventer Alice Casburn, Irish showjumper James Derwin, Denmark’s para dressage rider Karla Dhym-Junge and Dutch vaulter Sam Dos Santos, while the Best Groom Award features four different nationalities and disciplines, who are highly respected and experienced equestrians.
New Zealander Trevor Harris, who overcame five percent odds of ever walking again after a car accident, and the charity Barbados, who rescue and rehabilitate horses for equine therapy purposes, are among those in the running for The Against All Odds and FEI Solidarity categories.
“Once again, this year the FEI received hugely diverse nominations from all over the globe, highlighting individuals and organisations going above and beyond in their dedication to equestrian sports and horse welfare,” said an FEI spokesman. “The ultimate accolades will go to the winners at the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines on 13 November in Cape Town.”
The public has until Sunday (16 October) to cast their votes. To do so, click here. The winners will be decided by combining 50 percent of the public’s vote and 50 percent of the judges’ vote.
Lead image of Charlotte Fry and Everdale. Credit: FEI/Liz Gregg
