Annual Report 2022
FEI Awards 2022
It was history in the making in Cape Town on Sunday 13 November, with an all-female line-up of winners at the FEI Awards Gala 2022 presented by Longines. Approximately 250 guests, including National Federations, FEI partners and stakeholders from all around the world came together to discover the winners of the FEI Awards 2022 following a global nomination and voting phase. Created to celebrate remarkable and inspiring performances and achievements across the equestrian world, the 2022 laureates proved nothing short of exceptional.
Stats
14th
Edition
5
Categories
5
Winners
70
Winners since 2009
Let’s discover the FEI Award winners 2022…
Longines FEI Rising Star
Alice Casburn (GBR)
Eventing and Great Britain were in the spotlight for this important award which recognises young athletes between the ages of 14 and 21 who demonstrate outstanding equestrian sporting talent, with young British eventer Alice Casburn taking home the Longines FEI Rising Star Award for 2022.
Casburn, who competed in her first 5* Event only 12 months after her first 4*, has taken the Eventing world by storm. The youngest entry on the Badminton Horse Trials 2022 entry list having turned 20 in January, Casburn went onto win Individual bronze and Team gold for Great Britain at the FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders in July 2022. At her 5* debut at the Burghley Horse Trails, and the youngest athlete at the competition, she recorded a double jumping clear on her second-generation home-bred horse Topspin.
“I have to thank my mum for the amount of time and dedication that she has given to helping me succeed. She's not just my coach, she's also the driver and groom and she's my mental support. With the amount that she juggles year and year out, I just couldn't imagine doing it without her."
"The Longines FEI Rising Star Award is always something that I've sort of followed in the past. And you know, I voted for other people so I never even anticipated to be shortlisted. So the fact that I've won, I just can't thank everyone enough that has made the time to vote for me and it really does mean so much as it's a really difficult sport. And to get an award as honourable as this is, is really special.”
Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete
Charlotte Fry (GBR)
Crowning an incredible year which saw her win two gold medals in the Individual Grand Prix Special and the Individual Grand Prix Freestyle, as well as Team silver at the ECCO FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning, 26-year-old Dressage sensation Charlotte Fry took home the coveted Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award.
“To be the Best Athlete in 2022 is kind of crazy! I am still taking it in and not really sure what to say about it yet, but it's incredible."
"Glamy’s character is amazing, he is the biggest show-off, he loves the crowd and loves to go into big atmospheres. In the stable he is really cuddly, he is always chatting, like every time you walk down the aisle he puts his head out and he whinnies at you every time, he’s just super cute.”
Cavalor FEI Best Groom
Kerryn Edmans (NZL)
The recipient of the 2022 Cavalor FEI Best Groom was New Zealander Kerryn Edmans, who has groomed for Eventing couple Tim and Jonelle Price for the past six years. Catering for two very different athletes is certainly a challenge the young Kiwi has learned to skilfully master. Kerryn is well known for her impeccable work ethic and is much appreciated for her positive attitude and passion for her work.
“I was so shocked to have been nominated, let alone actually given the award of Cavalor FEI Groom of the year!”
“I just love my job and I love what I do, and to get a bit of recognition here is amazing. But to have been nominated for this Award was even better. It's a massive honour to have been recognised with such a calibre of grooms across all disciplines. Every groom deserves to have some form of recognition for the amazing work they do behind the scenes for the riders and the horses.”
FEI Against All Odds
Muthoni Kimani (KEN)
Muthoni inspired the equestrian community with her heart-gripping story and her relentless fighting spirit. She was hit by a car while riding her pony at the age of eight, a trauma it took her months to overcome. Muthoni then suffered a second riding accident at 15-years of age, resulting in back pains and headaches for several months, and fear of getting back in the saddle. Seeking help to overcome her fear, Muthoni slowly fought her way back in the saddle with the help of a mental coach. In 2022, she was the first young African to be selected to join the Cavalleria Toscana Academy in Italy, and consequently started competing at international level.
“My horses are my biggest inspiration. They are silent but you can hear them talking even though they don’t talk, they are always there for me."
“What does the future hold for me? I'll say it is to just keep going and to know that I can achieve what I want to achieve it. I'm here to inspire people everywhere around the world. Just keep believing in yourself and never give up. Anything and everything is possible.”
FEI Solidarity Award – The Dressage Solidarity Stars Project
Diane Smith – President
Flying the flag proudly for the host country, South Africa’s Dressage SA Solidarity Stars Project did not hold back when announced winner of the FEI Solidarity Awards 2022.
The project, which is run all over South Africa, was created to identify disadvantaged athletes, give them the opportunity to be coached by experts, and then provide them with opportunities to enter shows to get competition experience.
“All the coaches have done a superb job, and the owners have been so generous in lending their horses to the riders. The Chef d’Equipe Beverly Jackman has kept the team together brilliantly and the greatest of all are the riders."
“Winning the FEI Solidarity Award is not something that we expected or dreamt of for us. It was enough of an award to see the riders do so brilliantly at our national championship.”
“Every year these Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best of our sport. But the FEI Awards 2022 mark the first time that we are hosting these honours on the African continent, and remarkable that it’s an all-female line-up. This year more than ever, the FEI Awards represent the essence of our sport and shine a light on our values of equality, determination and courage. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for being incredible Ambassadors for our sport.”
FEI President, Ingmar De Vos
How do the FEI Awards work?
Following a comprehensive nomination phase with all the FEI’s stakeholders – National Federations, Athletes, FEI Board and Committee members, Officials and related associations – the FEI shortlists four candidates for each of the five categories. The shortlisted candidates are then presented to the public for an online vote worth 50% and to an exclusive panel of judges, also worth 50%, to determine the winners.
Meet the Judges 2022
Check out the FEI Awards website.
