Equestrian heroes
celebrated at FEI Awards Gala 2014 presented by
Longines
Equestrian heroes - and a very
special dog - were celebrated tonight at the FEI Awards Gala 2014 presented by
Longines.
The five winners of the “Oscars
of the equestrian world” 2014 were presented with their awards by outgoing FEI
President HRH Princess Haya on her final day as FEI President at a dazzling
ceremony in Baku’s fabulous Buta Palace.
The winners, who have made
outstanding contributions to the growth of equestrian sport in 2014,
are:
Reem Acra Best Athlete
Award: World Jumping champion Jeroen Dubbeldam
(NED)
Longines Rising Star
Award: Vaulter Lambert Leclezio (MRI)
Best Groom
Award: Jackie Potts (GBR), groom to Eventing world number one William
Fox-Pitt (GBR)
FEI Solidarity:
Equine therapy centre Equal Ark (SIN)
Against All Odds:
Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete Sydney Collier (USA) with her service
dog Journey
The equestrian heroes donned
tuxedos and gowns for the gala dinner, which was attended by almost 350 guests
from National Federations, partners, VIPs and international
media.
Azerbaijani TV presenter Leyla
Aliyeva and retiring FEI Endurance Director Ian Williams were Masters of
Ceremony for the evening.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
also became the first recipient of the FEI
Lifetime Achievement award last month as part of this prestigious
FEI Awards scheme in recognition of her leading role as supporter of equestrian
sport throughout her reign as British monarch. She was presented with the award
at Buckingham Palace by HRH Princess Haya.
HRH Princess Haya was herself
celebrated in a special presentation tonight in acknowledgement of her
outstanding commitment to equestrian sport and to the FEI, during her eight year
term in office as FEI President.
“It is a great honour for me to
be here tonight on my first official duty as FEI President,” newly elected FEI
President Ingmar De Vos said. “There have been a number of awards tonight, but
there is someone here, a very special person, who deserves to be recognised and
celebrated. Your Royal Highness, it is now my turn to surprise you with your
very own special award. I hope you will wear it with pride and think of your FEI
Family” as he presented her with a beautiful diamond brooch.
“You have had a lasting effect on
every single person in this room, on the organisation, on the FEI Family and on
the sport globally. You have led us to new frontiers. You had a vision and you
took us on an incredible journey. Thank you once again for
everything!”
HRH Princess Haya was joined on
stage by her brother HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, FIFA Vice President: “There
is one question she always asks when she meets someone that she looks up to, but
it’s a question she has never actually asked me. She asks ‘If there is someone
in the past you would like to see something you have done, and they would be
proud of you, who is it?’ I would say tonight that I would love our late father
and late mother to come back and see you right now. They would be so proud of
you.” Brother and sister joined hands as they watched a moving video of the key
moments of Princess Haya’s family life, her sporting career and love of horses,
and her eight years as FEI President.
FEI Awards 2014 winners -
biographies and reactions:
Reem Acra Best Athlete
Award: Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED)
With an impressive track record
including individual gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games during a career
spanning 25 years, Jeroen Dubbeldam has had an exceptional 2014, scoring
individual and team gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian™ Games 2014 and
helping the Netherlands clinch the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final just weeks
later.
“I’m very honoured to receive the
Reem Acra Best Athlete Award,” said Jeroen Dubbeldam. “I’m very proud of it!
Looking back at 2014 I am full of pride for my horse, Zenith SFN, and the way he
competed, as this was the first year at this top level, filling in the gap of my
former horse, Utascha SFN that was sold.”
International fashion designer
Reem Acra flew in specially for tonight’s gala dinner to present the Best
Athlete Award to Jeroen Dubbeldam. “It is an honour to have again been asked to
present the FEI’s Best Athlete Award”, she said. “Since I started participating
in the FEI World Cup Dressage series, I have come to appreciate even more the
incredible level of talent required to reach the top in equestrian sport. Every
recipient of this award has spent countless hours creating the amazing harmony
between humans and horse that is so beautiful to watch.”
Longines Rising Star
Award: Lambert Leclezio (MRI)
At just 17 years of age, Lambert
Leclezio became the first athlete to represent Mauritius at World Championship
level when he stepped into the Vaulting arena at the Alltech FEI World
Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA). An impressive sixth place finish in
the individual category was the culmination of years of dedication to his sport.
Coming from a country with limited training facilities and Vaulting horses,
Lambert received support through the FEI’s global sport development programme,
FEI
Solidarity, to qualify for the 2014 Games by training and competing
in Europe. Training on a former racehorse in Mauritius, Lambert continues to
practice and compete throughout the year, both in his home country and Europe,
while completing his studies in Mauritius.
“Thank you so much to everyone
who voted for me”, Lambert Leclezio said. “It’s a great honour to receive the
Longines Rising Star Award. I made lots of sacrifices to get here, and so did
everyone who has been helping me. I would like to say a special thanks to the
FEI for organising this beautiful ceremony for the equestrian family, and for
the huge help from FEI Solidarity, which allowed me to compete at the Alltech
FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy and made my dream come true. I’m very
happy for all that has happened to me in 2014.”
“Supporting the up-and-coming
athletes in the sports Longines is involved in has been a high priority for the
brand for the past few years”, said Juan-Carlos Capelli, Longines Vice-President
and Head of International Marketing.
“These young talents are the
future of their discipline and will be part of the development and influence of
the sport across the globe. To encourage these promising sportsmen and women to
reach their full potential and fulfil their dreams is one of the most rewarding
efforts a brand can make and we are very proud of that.”
Best Groom Award: Jackie
Potts (GBR)
After spending the last 22 years
as groom and right-hand woman in the stables of world eventing number one
William Fox-Pitt (GBR), Jackie Potts is one of the most well respected grooms on
the circuit. She has groomed at four Olympic Games, four FEI World Equestrian
Games™ and eight European Championships, on top of countless three-day events
around the world. Jackie is the consummate professional, managing all aspects of
Fox-Pitt’s yard and horses from training to veterinary care. Her extensive
knowledge of horse management and training means her advice is often sought by
other grooms as well as Team GBR.
“It is so exciting and an
absolute privilege to be here to receive this award tonight,” Jackie Potts said.
“I feel like I am accepting this award on behalf of all other grooms, who are so
hardworking and equally deserving,”
“It is a hugely deserved and very
prestigious award,” William Fox-Pitt said by video message. “Jackie has a
profound empathy with horses, and horses love her. She is fantastic at
motivating her team, and is generous in the sharing of her knowledge and
expertise.
“There are few grooms in the
world that rival her experience, and her dedication is proven by her 22 years as
my yard manager. After all she has achieved in her profession, nothing gives me
greater pleasure than to see her being rewarded tonight.”
Against All Odds: Sydney
Collier (USA) with Journey
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
Sydney Collier was diagnosed with the rare Wyburn Mason syndrome at the age of
seven. The disease has meant that she has been faced with significant obstacles,
but these have not prevented her from reaching her goals. The 17-year-old has
undergone a series of operations, including three brain surgeries, is blind in
one eye, and a stroke at the age of 11 led to paralysis on her left
side.
Despite these challenges, she has
pursued her dreams relentlessly, and after competing at the Alltech FEI World
Equestrian Games™ 2014 this summer, is determined to continue training and
represent the USA at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. In between training in New
York, 10 hours away from her family and friends, she also volunteers once a week
to speak, motivate and encourage young people of her age who do not have the
same motivation and family support that she does.
Journey, the star service
dog in Baku
Sydney’s service dog, the white
standard poodle Journey, who became famous during the Alltech FEI World
Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy for being the first dog to get accreditation
for a World Championship, created a buzz again tonight when he arrived on stage
at the Buta Palace in Baku, complete with bow tie. After travelling over 9,000
kilometres from New York, Journey took to the stage to receive his own FEI
Award, a personalised dog bowl.
"Winning the FEI Against All Odds
Award means so much to me as an individual, and as an athlete,” Sydney Collier
said. “Life has routinely thrown speed bumps and curves on my plans, but my
passion for horses and their incredible spirit has repeatedly helped me find a
way around obstacles that others might have seen as
insurmountable.
“In winning this award I now have
the incredible opportunity to share with so many others facing similar
circumstances that their goals do not ever have to be put aside. The world out
there is filled with wonderful opportunities as long as you are willing to push
yourself to reach them. I would like to thank the FEI for creating this award to
help continue to inspire every athlete, regardless of challenging circumstances,
to strive to be their best every day in and out of the saddle. And to my family
and my trainer Wes Dunham who have been beside me every step of the way. I
wouldn't be standing here today without each one of you supporting and cheering
me on through thick and thin.
"It means even more to me to have
my special service dog Journey by my side to accept this award. When Journey was
granted his credentials at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games a world of
opportunity and education was opened. Together Journey and I are now able to
share with others the special working relationship and independence that service
animals grant their handlers. The icing on the cake? Journey loves horses as
much as I do!"
FEI Solidarity: Equal Ark
(SIN)
Launched in 2011, the
Singapore-based Equal Ark (Equine-Assisted Learning for At Risk Kids) is a
programme of horsemanship lessons for children experiencing a range of
difficulties at home and at school. The initiative has already helped 800
children who have failed or dropped out of school at an early age. Equal Ark
provides children with a greater chance of success in their school, work and
family lives while developing a love for horses. Equal Ark will enrol 400
students annually from 2015, and is aiming to double this from
2017.
“Recognition from a prestigious
international organization now puts EQUAL and our island of Singapore firmly on
the global equestrian map”, chairman of Equal Ark Melissa Tan said. “The FEI
Award allows us to recognise and acknowledge our appreciation to the team of
volunteers and staff who have contributed to its success.
“This award affirms and cements
our dedication to reach out to even more children whose lives can be inspired by
the beauty and magnificence of our treasured equine
partners.”
