About the FEI Awards

The FEI Awards were launched in 2009 to put a spotlight on the men, women, young people and organisations that are making an outstanding contribution to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport – in or out of the arena.

The five FEI Awards categories are:

Longines Rising Star, for a person aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
Best Athlete, for the athlete that, over the past year, has demonstrated exceptional skill in the arena and taken the sport to a new level.
Best Groom, for that important person who works behind the scenes and ensures the horses he or she looks after are given the best possible care.
Against All Odds, for a person who has pursued his or her equestrian ambitions despite a physical handicap or extremely difficult personal circumstances.
FEI Solidarity, for an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, an individual or organisation that has demonstrated skill, dedication and energy in expanding the sport.

The nominations

Nominations in the five categories are open to the FEI Family from 10 July to 31 August 2017.
All nominations will be shortlisted by the FEI Executive Board and presented to the public VOTE from 18-30 September 2017.
The results of the public VOTE will count for 50%. An exclusive panel of judges will make up the remaining 50%.
The winners will be announced at the FEI Awards Gala in Montevideo (URU) on 21 November 2017.
Make sure you nominate YOUR TWOHEARTS HEROES for the FEI Awards 2017!

The ceremony

The winners will be flown to a glittering gala evening in Montevideo, Uruguay in November where over 350 guests representing the 134 National Equestrian Federations, enthusiasts and stakeholders from around the world will celebrate their achievements.

Make your nominations

Winners of 2016 Awards in Tokyo

Master of ceremonies Liz Price (1st from the left) and Japan’s Koji Murofushi (third from the left) with Against All Odds winner Rodolpho Riskalla (BRA), Longines Rising Star Sönke Rothenberger (GER) and Badre Fakir representing the Moroccan Federation – winners of the FEI Solidarity Award. Unfortunately Best Athlete Nick Skelton (GBR) and Best Groom Mark Beever (GBR) were unable to attend the FEI Awards Gala due to sporting commitments. For more on the winners, click here.

© FEI/Richard Juilliart
Winners of 2015 Awards in Puerto Rico

From left to right: Longines VP Juan-Carlos Capelli, Hollywood actress Bo Derek, Boyd Exell, Jessica Mendoza, Oriana Ricca Marmissolle, Jose Eduardo (Eddie) Garcia Luna, Anne-Rose Schoen (Les Chevaux qui pansent les plaies (Horses that heal wounds)), FEI President Ingmar de Vos.

Photo: FEI / Richard Juilliart
Winners of 2014 Awards in Baku

From left to right: HRH Princess Haya, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Melissa Tan chairman of equine therapy centre Equal Ark, Jackie Potts, Lambert Leclezio with (centre) Sydney Collier and her service dog Journey. Photo: FEI/Liz Gregg
Winners of 2013 Awards in Montreux

From left to right: Carmen Thiemann, Colonel Antonio Fernando Nuñez (director of the National Army School of Uruguay), Joann Formosa, Reed Kessler, Charlotte Dujardin
Winners of 2012 Awards in Istanbul

From left to right: Celia Rijntjes, Courtney King-Dye, Sharon Boyce, Thomas McDermott
Winners of 2011 Awards in Rio de Janeiro

From left to right: Adelinde Cornelissen, Nina Lamsam Ligon, Lisa Wells (from Reem Acra), Alice Gaillard, Soraya Ourrais.

Photo: FEI / Rosane Bakierman
Winners of 2010 Awards in Taipei

From left to right: Michelle Tipper, Caroline Roffman, Ros Spearing, Angelika Trabert.

Photo: William Tzeng/FEI
Winners of 2009 Awards in Copenhagen

From left to right: Michelle Robson, Darlene Milord, Alex Hua Tian, Wendy Gidlow.

Photo: © Klaus Sletting Jensen