Rachael Sanna and her Grand Prix horse Jaybee Alabaster were named Australian domestic athlete and horse of the year. Equestrian Australia announced the winners of the annual Sport Achievement Awards at Equestrian Australia Awards Night in Sydney on 2 May 2012.
More than 200 guests gathered at ANZ Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park this evening to recognise the sport’s highest achievers of the past 12 months.
Former Austraian equestrian greats and current heroes were on hand to celebrate Equestrian’s night of nights which also saw some of the sport’s all-time greats inducted into Equestrian Australia’s Hall of Fame.
Rachael Sanna was the recipient of the award for "Domestic Athlete of the Year": Sanna’s most exceptional performances came in the latter part of 2011 and earned her the two most coveted crowns in Australian Dressage - Australian Grand Prix Champion and winner of the FEI World Cup Pacific League final. The latter awarded her one of just 18 starting positions at the World Cup Dressage final in s’Hertogenbosch. Sanna also achieved firsts at Sydney CDI3* in the Grand Prix and Freestyle, Sydney CDI-W in the Grand Prix and Freestyle and the Werribee CDI-W LF, Grand Prix and Freestyle.
Jaybee Alabaster won the title of "Domestic Horse of the Year": Jaybee Alabaster returned to form in 2011 and enjoyed a very successful year winning the Australian Championship Grand Prix and the Pacific League Final of the FEI World Cup, which earned him a start at the World Cup Dressage Final in s’Hertogenbosch. The 13 year old chestnut gelding, who is owned by Bev Edwards also finished in first place at Sydney CDI3* in the Grand Prix and Freestyle, Sydney CDI-W in the Grand Prix and Freestyle and the Werribee CDI-W LF, Grand Prix and Freestyle.
Photo © Astrid Appels
Related Links
Nominations Announced for 2012 Equestrian Australia Sport Achievement Awards
Victory Salute Inductee in the Equestrian Australia's Hall of Fame