FEI awards: vote now for your equestrian heroes
The horse world — and that includes you — has until 17 October to nominate its heroes and heroines in the first International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Awards.
The public is invited to nominate the figures in the horse world who have inspired them during 2009.
The five categories are:
Athlete of the Year — for a rider, driver or vaulter who has shown exceptional sportsmanship and ability
HSBC Rising Star — for a rider aged 14-21 who has not only demonstrated significant talent but also a love of the sport and great commitment
Alltech Development award — for a development project, individual or organisation that has shown exceptional skill, dedication and energy in expanding the sport
Against All Odds — for a disabled rider of any age who has demonstrated that disability is no hindrance to sporting proficiency
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Groom of the Year — for the often uncelebrated yet vitally important person who works behind the scenes
The judges for the awards are Olympic gold medal winning eventer Mark Todd, the director of the International Jump Riders Club Eleonora Ottaviani, German world champion vaulter Kai Vorberg and Diana Ramos, the chairman of the FEI in central and South America.
So far around 900 nominations have been received from across the world, but to ensure your equestrian star is recognised, go to www.feiawards.org.
The awards will be presented during the FEI General Assembly in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 19 November.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.