Dressage-News

Oct. 4, 2024

The FEI Awards nominees for 2024 that the sport’s global governing body describes as the “best of the best in the equestrian world” have been announced, dominated by Europeans with no mention in any category of the historic performances by the United States Paralympic team and individuals.

The sole dressage nominee was Australia’s Jessica Dertell in the Rising Star category cited for Grand Prix whose primary top sport mounts were Cennin, the Dutch team world and European championships and two-time World Cup finalist with Madeleine Witte-Vrees, and Syriana, previously competed in Europe and Down Under by six-time Aussie Olympian Mary Hanna. Fellow Australian Kate Kyros, now 20 years old, who competed successfully in the USA and Europe as well as at home throughout 2024 was overlooked.

Nominees include 21-year-old French Para Dressage athlete Chiara Zenati, who placed fourth in Grade III at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Online voting for the Longines FEI Rising Star, Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Cavalor FEI Best Groom, and FEI Inspire awards has begun and is open until Oct. 13. Winners will be announced at the FEI Awards Gala in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Nov. 13.
(UAE).

Shortlisted nominees:

Longines FEI Rising Star–for athletes aged 14 to 21 demonstrating outstanding sporting talent and commitment:
Jessica Dertell (AUS) – Dressage
Chiara Zenati (FRA) – Para Dressage
Mathies Rüder (GER) – Eventing and Jumping
Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) – Jumping

Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete–for athletes who have demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level:
Théo Gardies (FRA) – Vaulting
Laura Collett (GBR) – Eventing
Bram Chardon (NED) – Driving
Christian Kukuk (GER) – Jumping

Cavalor FEI Best Groom–for behind-the-scenes heroes ensuring the horses they look after are given the best possible care:
Lisa Fundis (GER) – Jumping Groom to Philipp Weishaupt (GER)
Mette Klose Nielsen (DEN) – Para Dressage Groom to Jens Lasse Dokkan (NOR)
Bettina Cardinael (FRA) – Eventing Groom to Lara De Liederkerke-Meier (BEL)
Pille Riin Roosileht (EST) – Driving Groom to Zsolt Rimarcsik (HUN)

FEI Inspire–for an individual or organization that has pursued equestrian ambition in an inspiring way and serves as a role model to show that everything is possible, and that even when faced with challenges:
Georgina Urwin (GBR) – Summerfield Stables – Horses in the Community
The Namibian Equestrian Federation programme “Enabling Through the Horse”
Dr Salom Nghinamito (NAM) – FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian since June 2024
Lucinda Green for the Lucinda Green Academy (GBR)

The winners will be decided 50% of the public’s vote via FEI.org and on the Chinese social media platform WeChat and 50% of the judges’ vote. The seven judges are: Ingmar De Vos – FEI President & Chair of the Judges Panel; Bernardo Tribolet – Vice President Marketing Longines; Martin Atock – Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award Title Sponsor; Peter Bollen – Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award Title Sponsor; Princess Nanda-Dévi Norodom – Secretary General of the Cambodian Equestrian Federation; Canada’s Mark Samuel – FEI Vice President and Chair of Regional Group IV, and Catrin Norinder of Sweden – FEI Eventing & Olympic Director.