THE SPORTS DESK
Betsy Carter’s Horse Scene: FEI award-winners announced
The winners of the coveted Federation Equestrian International awards for 2012 have been announced.
These FEI winners are those “who give the best of themselves and embrace the Olympic values of respect, excellence and friendship in their work with horses and in their everyday lives.” There were five winners.
Michael Jung of Germany won the Reem Acra Best Athlete Award because he is the first rider to hold simultaneous Olympic, European and World Champion titles, including the Olympic team gold.
The United States’ Courtney King–Dye won the Against All Odds Award because after reaching great success in her career in the Olympics and in World Cup Dressage, she fractured her skull in a riding accident, leaving her with physical and speech impairments.
Thomas McDermott of Australia won the Rising Star Award. He earned Equestrian Australia’s Young Athlete of the Year title twice, and he is the first rider in that nation to become both National Junior Champion and Young Rider Champion, which he has held for two years.
South Africa’s Sharon Boyce won the Development Award for her organization called Shumbashaba—Horses Helping People, a nonprofit therapeutic riding center for people with special needs.
Celia Rijntjes of the Netherlands won the Best Groom Award. She has groomed for Swedish jumper–rider Rolf–Goran Bengtsson for 13 years through numerous Olympics, World Equestrian Games and World Cup Finals.
Betsy Carter can be reached at The Free Lance–Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or by fax at 540/373-8455.
