LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Nick Skelton of Great Britain riding Big Star competes in the Individual Jumping Equestrian on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Greenwich Park on August 8, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
As there has been so little sport this year owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the nominees in each category are those who have won that award in the past.
There are 55 nominees, from 19 nations, in five awards categories: Longines FEI rising star; Peden Bloodstock FEI best athlete; Cavalor FEI best groom; FEI against all odds; and FEI solidarity.
Both Nick and Charlotte feature in the best athlete category, against the likes of Michael Jung, Isabell Werth and Ingris Klimke. The British riders’ grooms, Mark Beever and Alan Davies respectively, appear in the grooms’ shortlist, along with William Fox-Pitt’s head girl Jackie Potts and freelancer Michelle Tipper.
Showjumper Jessica Mendoza is Britain’s representative in the rising star category, in which Irish showjumper Harry Allen also features.
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South London’s Ebony Horse Club, which aims to transform the lives of young people in disadvantaged communities, is shortlisted for the solidarity award.
“These awards are a way to honour the heroes of our sport through their amazing stories of resilience, horsemanship, determination and passion,” said FEI president Ingmar De Vos.
“Equestrian is not just a sport, but a way of life for many people and this has been a desperately difficult year for the equestrian community, just as it has been for everyone, in every sector. Now, more than ever, we need to focus on the positives that our sport has to offer and celebrate the fantastic ambassadors that we have, both on the field of play and behind the scenes making a difference.”
Voting is open, via the FEI website, from today (10 November) until 22 November. The winners will be announced the second week of December.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
