Venhaus, Schwennesen, Hanna, Oatley on 2017 EA Awards Long List

Dressage

Australia

Dressage personalities Toni Venhaus, Maria Schwennesen, Mary Hanna, Kristy Oatley as well as Charlie Welsh and Justine Greer have been nominated on the long list for the 2017 Equestrian Australia Annual Awards.

For 2017 the Awards has undergone a format change. As Equestrian Australia (EA) constantly looks at ways to engage with our membership, this new process allows you, its members, to have a voice and make their mark on the National Recognition Awards for the first time ever!

"While acknowledging top performing athletes and horses through 2017, we also recognise the extraordinary achievements and dedication of the many others who contribute to this amazing sport," said EA. The winners are now decided by public vote.

In the 2017 EA Lifetime Achievement Award category Toni Venhaus, the organizer of the CDI Sydney, has been nominated. That show is also nominated for the 2017 EA Event of the Year Award.

Australian 4* dressage judge Maria Schwennesen is listed for the 2017 EA Official of the Year Award.

Mary Hanna is one of seven riders on the list for the 2017 EA Domestic Athlete of the Year Award, while the German based Kristy Oatley is one of six riders listed for the 2017 EA International Athlete of the Year Award.

Hanna's Dutch warmblood bred Boogie Woogie (by Du Moulin) is in the running for the 2017 EA Domestic Horse of the Year Award, while Kristy Oatley's Hanoverian bred Du Soleil (by De Niro) can win the title of 2017 EA International Horse of the Year.

Other dressage personalities nominated are Charlie Welsh for the EA Young Athlete of the Year award and Justine Greer for EA Coach of the Year.

The complete long list with nominees can be seen here.