Lausanne, Switzerland - The public vote for the FEI Awards 2018 is now open! For a second consecutive year, the public gets to vote and celebrate its equestrian heroes following publication of the shortlisted nominees today.
A record of outstanding achievements on the field of play, horsemanship, commitment, and behind-the-scenes dedication are just some of the qualities of the 20 nominees selected across the five categories.
The shortlisted nominees for the FEI Awards 2018 are:
Longines Rising Star – for the young stars aged 14 to 21 who demonstrate outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
Felix Koller (AUT), Jumping
Esmee Donkers (NED), Dressage
Victor Levecque (FRA), Eventing
Bunty Howard (ZAM), Jumping
Best Athlete - paying tribute to some incredible performances during the year, notably at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and the Asian Games, which took the sport to a new level.
Simone Blum (GER), Jumping
Yoshiaki Oiwa (JPN), Eventing
Lambert Leclezio (FRA), Vaulting
Stinna Kaastrup (DEN), Para-Dressage
Best Groom - for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses he or she looks after are given the best possible care.
Lucy Miles (NZL), Eventing, groom for Jonelle and Tim Price
Alex Tyler-Morris (GBR), Jumping, groom for Harrie Smolders
Lee McKeever (USA), Jumping, groom for McLain Ward
Steffi Wiegard (GER), Dressage, head groom for Isabell Werth
Against All Odds - for an inspiring individual who has pursued their equestrian ambitions and overcome challenges and obstacles along the way.
Sammie Fritz (USA), Dressage
Leila Malki (PLE), Jumping
Sara Morganti (ITA), Para-Dressage
Kate Shoemaker (USA), Para-Dressage
FEI Solidarity - for an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, an individual or organization that has demonstrated skill, dedication, and energy in expanding the sport.
Julie Battams and Equine Pathways (AUS)
The Horsemanship charity programme (CHN)
Riders of Hope (BIH)
Mercedes Campdera (MEX)
Make sure you have your say and vote here!
The online public vote will be open from 5 to 15 October and will count for 50%, with a panel of expert judges deciding the remaining 50%.
The winners will be announced at the FEI Awards 2018 Gala presented by Longines in Manama, Bahrain on 20 November. Presenters on the night of this prestigious ceremony will be five-time Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker (GBR) and young Dressage star Juan Matute Guimón (ESP). “I am beyond excited and honored to have been asked to host the awards with Juan!”, Natasha Baker said. “I can't wait to meet all of the deserving award winners and hear their stories and celebrate our fantastic sport.”
Vote for your equestrian heroes and stay tuned to learn everything about the FEI Awards 2018 on fei.org.
Following feedback from our membership to the rule change proposal for the USEF Rules For Eventing: Appendix 3 – Participation In Horse Trials, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors voted to modify the rule change proposal, but still to recommend the establishment of rider licenses and increase Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) to the regulating authority of the sport US Equestrian (USEF).
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is happy to announce the dates, locations, and judges for the USEA Future Event Horse Championships in 2021. The Future Event Horse (FEH) Championships offer classes for yearlings, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds to evaluate their potential for becoming successful upper-level event horses.
USEA Area II announces its annual fundraising auction online is open for bidding! This fundraiser is over 20 years old and now well-known as the "Black Friday" for entries to ALL your favorite events! In typical years, the auction is held as a silent auction at the Annual Area Meeting, but because of COVID-19 restrictions, no in-person meeting will be held, so we're bringing the auction to everyone online this year.
The first USEA Pony of the Year award was presented in 2007 to the legendary Theodore O’Connor (Witty Boy x Chelsea’s Melody), a Thoroughbred/Anglo-Arab gelding ridden by Karen O’Connor and owned by the Theodore O’Connor Syndicate. Now, a trophy bearing his name is presented each year to the Pony of the Year.