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.
Derek di Grazia’s name is legend at the Kentucky Horse Park as the designer of the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event cross-country course for over a decade, in addition to countless other influential tracks around the world. Now with the inclusion of the Cosequin CCI4*-S division, which runs alongside the famed five-star, riders at both the four- and five-star levels get to experience one of the iconic di Grazia Kentucky tracks while competing in the bluegrass. The USEA caught up with riders of both levels to get their feedback on this year’s courses.
Two riders will share the top spot on the leaderboard in the Cosequin CCI4*-S at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event upon the conclusion of dressage on Friday. Early in the morning, Great Britain’s Lucienne Bellissimo found herself launching up the scoreboard after a beautiful test with Dyri earned them a score of 26.0. While no other pair could top their performance, one team did match it perfectly near the end of the day– Liz Halliday (USA) and her 2023 Pan American Games silver medal mount Miks Master C.
Who is ready for another day of dressage at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE)? Just like yesterday's schedule, we will first see the CCI4*-S field compete this morning starting at 8:00 a.m. EST, followed by the CCI5*-L field at 1:00 p.m. EST.
Great Britain’s Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir found themselves in a familiar position today at the top of the leaderboard after dressage at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, scoring a 26.0. A year ago, Ingham and “Banzai” led the field heading into cross-country after Friday’s dressage, but they drew an earlier start this year, and Ingham’s got a few more challengers to come tomorrow.