British stars on the shortlist for FEI awards
William Fox-Pitt, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro’s groom Alan Davies are among the list of Brits that have been shortlisted for the 2015 FEI Awards.
A total of 29 candidates — seven of which are British — are up for prizes that will be presented at a gala dinner at the FEI general assembly in Brazil on 13 November.
Alan has been nominated for the best groom prize along with fellow Brit Imogen Mercer, who works for eventer Sam Griffiths.
This award recognises “behind the scenes team members who work around the clock” to give their horses the best possible care and attention.
“I’m really lucky, looking back I have always enjoyed my career,” Alan told H&H.
“Over nearly 30 years I have worked with some of the best riders, horses and grooms in the world and you never stop learning.”
Joining Alan and Imogen on the shortlist is Jennider Arnsten (USA vaulting team), Marlen Schannwell (Bertram Allen), Jose Eduardo Garcia Luna (Steffen Peters) and Zoltan Herczeg (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl).
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Charlotte Dujardin and William Fox-Pitt have made the shortlist for the Reem Acra best athlete category.
Also nominated is Boyd Exell, Jaques Ferrari, Ingrid Klimke and Jeroen Dubbeldam.
Showjumper Jessica Mendoza, who made her senior championship debut at the Europeans in Aachen this year, is on the list for the Longines rising star accolade.
This is for equestrians aged between 14-21 who demonstrate “outstanding sporting talent”.
World record-breaker Phoebe Peters has also made the shortlist for the rising star award.
Dressage rider Phoebe, 16, made history at the pony European championships in Malmö, Sweden (5-9 August) after breaking world records in the individual test and the freestyle.
As well as winning two individual gold medals, Phoebe was also part of the British gold medal-winning team.
Phoebe and Jessica are up against Ireland’s Bertram Allen, Juan Matute Jr from Spain, Kelsey Russell from the USA and Germany’s Gina Schumacher.
Four-star eventer Ben Hobday has been put forward for the Against All Odds category.
Ben was diagnosed with cancer in June and is now returning to riding following treatment.
Also nominated are Gerado Tazzer from Mexico, Oriana Ricci Mannisille from Uruguay, Austria’s Pepo Puch and Rixt van der Horst from the Netherlands.
Hollywood actress Bo Derek, chair of the jury for this year’s awards, will present the honours.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.