FEI Awards winners (L to R): Philip Wong 8CHN), Lee McKeever (USA), Simone Blum (GER), Alex Hua Tian (CHN) FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibanez (SUI)m Victor Levecque (FRA), FEI President Ingmar De Vos (BEL), Leila Malki (PLE), Juan Carlos Capelli Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing, Natasha Baker (GBR), Juan Matute Guimon (ESP) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Manama (BRN) on 20 November 2018. Photo (c) FEI/Liz Gregg.
Germany’s golden girl Simone Blum has undoubtedly had the best year of her career to date, and tonight she added another accolade to the list, taking home the Fosun Best Athlete Award at the FEI Awards 2018 presented by Longines in Manama (BRN).
Crowned individual world champion and winner of a team bronze medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (USA) in September, she became the first woman in the 28-year history of the Games and only the second female athlete in 65 years of the World Jumping championship to win individual gold.
“I am very proud to be the Fosun best athlete, I think it’s a dream of every rider”, Simone Blum said. “A lot of really good riders got it before and to the people I want to say thank you a lot, it was a pleasure for me and I have the best fans and supporters. Thank you”.
Groom to four-time Olympian McLain Ward, the USA’s Lee McKeever took the award for FEI Best Groom. After 30 years working with McLain, he is still as dedicated about his work as when he started, going above and beyond to ensure the best possible care for his horses, and always willing to help others in the sport working tirelessly behind the scenes. McLain and Lee’s shared victories include the recent FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 team gold medal with Clinta, the 2017 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ title with HH Azur in Omaha (USA), individual gold medal with Rothchild at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto (CAN), and team gold medals at the Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games with Sapphire.
“As FEI’s Top Partner, Longines is very proud to take part in the 2018 FEI Awards Ceremony in Manama”, Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing said.
“Our connection with the equestrian world dates back 150 years, and we attach great importance to supporting events that are aligned with our core values of tradition, elegance and performance. We are particularly delighted to present the Longines Rising Star award, acknowledging our commitment in supporting new generations of athletes in each sport that we are involved in.”
Source: Press release from FEI
Photo © FEI/Liz Gregg
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