Online voting is now open for the 2023 FEI Awards which this year features four categories - the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom and Pivo FEI Inspire Awards.
The Pivo FEI Inspire Award unites elements from the FEI Solidarity Award and the FEI Against All Odds Award handed out in previous years. As the name suggests, the Award has been designed to showcase the spirit and determination of individuals who serve as role models and show that anything is possible in equestrian sport.
Ros Canter and Sarah Charnley nominated for FEI Awards 2023
The nominees in the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete category include Britain’s Ros Canter, currently ranked as the Number 2 Eventing rider on the FEI World Rankings, who has enjoyed raft of wins on various horses, including Badminton Horse Trials and double gold at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Haras du Pin (FRA), in 2023.
Ros’ groom, Sarah Charnley, who has been by her side for many years, is also nominated for the Cavalor FEI Best Groom category.
The lucky winners will be flown to the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Mexico City (MEX) on 21 November.
Voting closes on 22nd October and you can cast your vote here
The full list (16 shortlisted candidates from 13 countries) of nominees is:
Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete - paying tribute to the athlete who over the past year has demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level.
• Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Jumping
• Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) - Dressage
• Ros Canter (GBR) – Eventing
• Marijke Hammink (NED) – Driving
Longines FEI Rising Star - for the athlete aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
• Christian Simonson (USA) - Dressage
• Rodrigo Storani Saliba (BRA) – Endurance
• Quentin Jabet (FRA) – Vaulting
• Mimi Gochman (USA) – Jumping
Cavalor FEI Best Groom - for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses they look after are given the best possible care.
• Danny Ingratta (CAN) – Jumping groom at Millar Brooke Farm (CAN) (Ian & Amy Miller)
• Sarah Charnley (GBR) – Eventing groom for Rosalind (Ros) Canter (GBR)
• Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) – Jumping groom for Steve Guerdat (SUI)
• Sofia Flodin (SWE) – Dressage groom for Mathias Rath (GER)
Pivo FEI Inspire - For an individual who has pursued their equestrian ambition in an inspiring way and serves as a role model to show that everything is possible, and that even when faced with challenges, you should never stop believing in your dreams.
• Valeria Bonfiglio (ITA) – Endurance athlete - Passionate Motivator
• Jennie Sharpe (GBR) – Jumping athlete with physical impairment - Resilience Champion
• Federico Fernandez Senderos (MEX) – Ultimate Survivor
• Ukrainian Vaulting team of Polina Shovkova and Kateryna (Katya) Panasenko - Youth Sport Advocates
FEI Awards 2023 Judging
The winners will be decided through a system in which 50% of the public’s vote via FEI.org and on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, and 50% of the judges’ vote will be combined to give the final result. The seven expert judges are as follows:
• Ingmar De Vos – FEI President & Chair of the Judges Panel
• Bernardo Tribolet - Vice President Marketing Longines
• Martin Atock - Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award Title Sponsor
• Peter Bollen - Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award Title Sponsor
• Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni – Secretary General of the Pan American Equestrian Confederation
• Jessica Kürten – Chair of the Athletes Committee and member of the FEI Board
• Diane Smith – FEI Solidarity Award winner 2022
