Isabell Werth Named FEI Best Athlete of 2017, Alan Davies Wins FEI Best Groom Award

Dressage

FEI Dressage News

Isabell Werth (GER), one of equestrian sports most decorated champions, has once again stolen the show, receiving the Best Athlete Award at the ninth edition of the FEI Awards Gala 2017 held at the KIBON Avanza in Montevideo (URU) on 21 November 2017.

The German superstar (48) was unable to attend tonight’s ceremony but spoke to guests via video message, and Soenke Lauterbach, Secretary General of the German Federation received the award on her behalf.

“To receive the best athlete award is really fantastic it makes me really proud, really happy to get this support from so many people and that they’re really behind me and they respect what we have done in the last months”, Isabell Werth said. “2017 was just amazing, it was a really great year. It was all horses I have to say! Of course the highlight was Omaha with the World Cup final with Weihe, it was a fantastic freestyle!”

To the delight of the Montevideo audience, the festivities were opened by Swedish pop artists Matilda Frommegård and Martin Cederlöf, performing the world premiere of their “Two Hearts” song.

Joint-Masters of Ceremonies, TV news anchor Victoria Rodriguez (URU) together with author and entertainer Guillermo Lockhart (URU), host of Voces Anonimas, went on to present the winners of the five categories, in front of more than 270 distinguished guests, including top sporting legends, equestrian fans, FEI partners and stakeholders representing the member Federations

Harry Allen (IRL), double gold medallist at the FEI European Pony Championships in Kaposvar (HUN) last August, was recognised for his numerous outstanding performances throughout the year, winning the FEI Rising Star Award. This award celebrates youth, talent, determination and the stars of the tomorrow. He won the category ahead of 2017 European Young Riders Dressage Champion Hannah Erbe (GER) amongst others. The talented Irish athlete (16) was presented with a Longines Conquest Classic Chronograph watch.

Ingmar de Vos and FEI Best Groom award winner Alan Davies Alan Davies (GBR), recognised for his tireless effort behind the scenes for Dressage stars Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, was presented with the FEI Best Groom Award. Davies won the award ahead of Isabell Werth's groom Steffi Wiegaard amongst others. Praising the unsung heroes of the sport, Alan (48) was visibly moved by the public support for his dedication, commitment and hard work, saying “words can’t describe how I feel, it’s just amazing!”

The former Vice President of the Indian Equestrian Federation, Manoj Jalan accepted the FEI Solidarity Award for the inaugural Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) project in Assam (IND).

Emma Booth (AUS) was commended for her strength, resilience, determination and drive as she was presented with the Against All Odds Award. Emma (26) was left paralysed after a road traffic accident in April 2013, yet nothing stops her passion for equestrian sport and is already planning her campaign around the World Equestrian Games™ 2018 and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

“We received over 100,000 votes and were overwhelmed with the response to this year’s Awards”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “We have incredible athletes, with remarkable stories, and this year we had the highest number of nominations from more countries than ever before, which clearly shows the universality of our sport.

“The public involvement in the voting process was phenomenal and was an essential part of the judging process for these prestigious awards. It is outstanding to see the tremendous support for our athletes, who deserve the recognition, not just from within our community but of the wider sports industry and fans globally."

Photos © FEI