Dressage-News

Jane Forbes Clark, American owner of the top ranked gray Belgian Warmblood mare Cella as well as international dressage and driving horses, has been named Jumping Owner of the Year for 2013.

Ridden by Great Britain’s Ben Maher, Cella posted a string of successes throughout 2013, including victories in the inaugural Global Champions Tour event in London and the Warsteiner Grand Prix at Aachen, Germany and reserve in the European Championships in Herning, Denmark.

The presentation of the award to Jane was made by Princess Haya, president of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), Madeleine Winter-Schulze, representing the Jumping Owners Club, and Ben Maher, during the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

Created by the FEI in 2005 and supported by Rolex, the Jumping Owners Club is an exclusive organization of international owners which works toward growing the popularity of the sport around the world.

“Cella has been an amazing horse and, despite only being with Ben since 2012, she has enjoyed great success all over the world,” Jane said. “We are extremely proud of her achievements and delighted that, as Owner of the Year, we are following in the footsteps of some great horses, including Hickstead and Big Star, who have won this award in previous years.

“May I take this opportunity to thank all the support team who work so hard to prepare Cella for her competitions, without their dedication and focus, we would not be where we are today.”

The Owner of the Year Award was created in 2004 to recognize the most successful owner each year.

Previous winners are John, Pat and Lisa Hales of Great Britain for Arko III in 2004 and 2005; Serena Hamberg of Austria for The Sixth Sense in 2006; Nancy Clark of the United States for Shutterfly in 2007; Eric Lamaze of Canada John Fleischhacker of the U.S. for Hickstead in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and Beverley Widowson of Britain for Carlo 273 in 2011 and Big Star in 2012.