The ‘best of the best’ in Equestrian sport gathered tonight at the Equestrian Australia 2010 Sport Achievement Awards Night at ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park. The gala evening, hosted by Nicole Livingstone (OAM), was enjoyed by close to 300 guests
and recognised the highest achievers in the sport throughout 2010.
Also during the evening Equestrian Australia introduced their Hall of Fame, inducting Equestrian heroes from throughout the decades since the Equestrian Australia’s (formerly Equestrian Federation of Australia) beginnings in the 1950’s.
Equestrian Australia also launched their London Olympic campaign, “Operation Greenwich Gold”. The Equestrian events at next year’s games will be held in Greenwich and the Australian Equestrian Team is aiming to reach new heights of success.
The recipients of the 2010 Sport Achievement Awards:
Event of the Year – Sydney CDI3*
The Sydney CDI 3-Star is regarded as one of the best and most popular Dressage Event in Australia. The 2010 event continued the trend of attracting top Dressage horse and rider combinations from around Australia as well as representatives from New Zealand, Japan, Canada and Great Britain, making it a truly “international event”. The event showcases Australia’s most talented Dressage horses from Grand Prix level down to the stars of the future taking part in the Young Horse Championships. This event continues to set the benchmark. For dressage riders, competing at the Sydney CDI is something many aspire to.
Indoor seating was again sold out well before the event and Top Spot Marquee bookings for the Gala Saturday Night closed two months ahead. Trade enquiries for exhibition space were stronger than ever before, to the point that demand for space is now outweighing available ground. The event is conducted by an event organising committee of Dressage NSW Inc.
Owner of the Year – Bev Edwards
Bev has demonstrated outstanding commitment at the highest level of competition internationally during 2010 as the owner of Jaybee Alabaster (ridden by Rachel Sanna) and co-owner of Vivant (ridden by Chris Chugg) at the World Equestrian Games. Bev’s involvement in breeding competition horses over more than 25 years has provided inspiration to riders at all levels – international, national and local. While the results of Jaybee Alabaster with Rachel and Vivant with Chris are well known, what is not as well known are the achievements of the younger riders who are building their skills and living their dreams on horses provided by Bev. Bev continues to inspire current and future riders.
EA Special Services Award – Sue Gunn, Karen Herald, Val Mayger and Dr. Warwick Vale
This year there are 4 recipients of the Special Services Award, two of them are related to dressage.
Karen Herald
Karen has been involved in Dressage as a competitor, event organiser and judge for more than twenty years. Former President of Caboolture Dressage Group she played a pivotal role to grow the membership and build financial security for the Club. Event director of five Queensland Dressage Championships she has also made a significant contribution to the Queensland State Equestrian Centre currently under construction. She was a long serving member of the Dressage Queensland Committee and was also the Chair of the committee from 2007-2010. In 2010 she was voted onto the Board of Equestrian Queensland as well as the Australian Dressage Committee. Karen’s passion for the sport and the welfare of its members has been evident in the conduct of all these roles.
Val Mayger
Served on Equestrian WA Board as an elected member, chair of Dressage, Show Horse and many other roles.
Val’s long commitment to the Equestrian world over a vast number of years has seen her compete successfully at a national level, judge at many WA and interstate competitions and coach many talented children across the state. She is an NCAS coach, Director of the National Executives of RDA of Australia Limited, Director of Para Equestrian Limited, Chairman of the National RDA Dressage Committee and Member of the Equestrian Advisory Committee for Para-Equestrian Athletes and worthy recipient of the 2010 EA Special Services Award.
Related Links
Equestrian Australia's Operation Greenwich Gold Launched
Rachael Sanna, Record Holder of the CDI Sydney