Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl, Christian Simonson, Sofia Flodin Nominated for 2023 FEI Awards

Dressage

FEI

The FEI Awards 2023 have revealed exciting changes as online voting opens today for the FEI Best Athlete, FEI Rising Star, FEI Best Groom and FEI Inspire Awards.

This year’s edition features just four categories, with the introduction of the FEI Inspire Award, uniting elements from the FEI Solidarity Award and the FEI Against All Odds Award.

The public have until 22 October to cast their vote for the 16 shortlisted candidates from 13 countries. The lucky winners will be flown to the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Mexico City (MEX) on 21 November.

The shortlisted nominees for the FEI Awards 2023 are:

FEI Best Athlete - paying tribute to the athlete who over the past year has demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level.
• Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Jumping
• Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER) - Dressage
• Ros Canter (GBR) – Eventing
• Marijke Hammink (NED) – Driving

FEI Rising Star - for the athlete aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
• Christian Simonson (USA) - Dressage
• Rodrigo Storani Saliba (BRA) – Endurance
• Quentin Jabet (FRA) – Vaulting
• Mimi Gochman (USA) – Jumping

FEI Best Groom - for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses they look after are given the best possible care.
• Danny Ingratta (CAN) – Jumping groom at Millar Brooke Farm (CAN) (Ian & Amy Miller)
• Sarah Charnley (GBR) – Eventing groom for Rosalind (Ros) Canter (GBR)
• Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) – Jumping groom for Steve Guerdat (SUI)
• Sofia Flodin (SWE) – Dressage groom for Mathias Rath (GER)

FEI Inspire - For an individual who has pursued their equestrian ambition in an inspiring way and serves as a role model to show that everything is possible, and that even when faced with challenges, you should never stop believing in your dreams.
• Valeria Bonfiglio (ITA) – Endurance athlete - Passionate Motivator
• Jennie Sharpe (GBR) – Jumping athlete with physical impairment - Resilience Champion
• Federico Fernandez Senderos (MEX) – Ultimate Survivor
• Ukrainian Vaulting team of Polina Shovkova and Kateryna (Katya) Panasenko - Youth Sport Advocates

The winners will be decided through a system in which 50% of the public’s vote via FEI.org and on the Chinese social media platform WeChat, and 50% of the judges’ vote will be combined to give the final result. The seven expert judges are as follows:

• Ingmar De Vos – FEI President & Chair of the Judges Panel
• Bernardo Tribolet - Vice President Marketing Longines
• Martin Atock - Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award Title Sponsor
• Peter Bollen - Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award Title Sponsor
• Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni – Secretary General of the Pan American Equestrian Confederation
• Jessica Kürten – Chair of the Athletes Committee and member of the FEI Board
• Diane Smith – FEI Solidarity Award winner 2022

You can vote here