From press release by the FEI

Swiss jumping stars Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs will see their long-standing sporting rivalry play out in the polls as the public vote for the FEI Awards 2019 opens today. 

An impressive billing of equestrian athletes, individuals and projects have been shortlisted across five Awards categories following the FEI’s call to action for nominations from the global equestrian community. 

Flying the flag for 15 nations on five continents, the 22 shortlisted nominees have been selected for their outstanding achievements on the field of play, inspirational outlook and unparalleled dedication.

World number one Guerdat (37) and his great friend and rival Fuchs (27), who was crowned FEI European Jumping Champion last month, are amongst the five nominees in the running for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award 2019, along with eventing legend Ingrid Klimke (GER), this year’s FEI Driving World Cup™ winner Bram Chardon (NED) and Dutch Paralympian and triple European gold medallist Sanne Voets.

Check out the amazing back stories of all the nominees in the five categories: Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom, FEI Against All Odds and FEI Solidarity.

The 2019 Awards winners will be celebrated at a star studded ceremony at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow (RUS) on 19 November.

The public now has 12 days (25 September to 7 October) to cast votes for their heroes. Make sure you have your say and vote here!

Shortlisted nominees for the FEI Awards 2019 are:

Peden Bloodstock 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
• Martin Fuchs (SUI), Jumping
• Ingrid Klimke (GER), Eventing
• Bram Chardon (NED), Driving
• Sanne Voets (NED), Para Dressage

Cavalor FEI Best Groom - for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses they look after are given the best possible care.

• Tim Varlec (SLO), groom for Irish Para Dressage athlete Tamsin Addison
• Madeleine Broek (NED), groom for Dutch Jumping star Marc Houtzager 
• Yann Devanne (FRA), groom for French Olympic Eventing team gold medallist Thibaut Vallette 
• Ann-Christin De Boer (GER), groom for Olympic Dressage golden girl Helen Langehanenberg 

Longines FEI Rising Star – for the youth athlete aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.

• Max Wachman (IRL), 16, Jumping 
• Juan Martin Clavijo (COL), 19, Vaulting 
• Semmieke Rothenberger (GER), 20, Dressage 
• Costanza Laliscia (ITA), 20, Endurance 

FEI Against All Odds - for an inspiring individual who has pursued their equestrian ambitions and overcome challenges and obstacles along the way.

• Marie Vonderheyden (USA), Para Dressage
• Eric Lamaze (CAN), Jumping
• Tobias Thorning Jørgensen (DEN), Para Dressage
• Zhenqiang Li (CHN), Jumping

FEI Solidarity - for an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, an individual or organisation that has used skill, dedication and energy to expand the sport.

• DSA LEAD Programme (RSA)
• Uno Yxklinten (SWE), farriery training programme in Zambia 
• The Wheatland Farm Equestrian Center, Virginia (USA) 
• The Jack Dodd Foundation (IRL)
• The Urban Equestrian Academy (GBR)

The winners will be decided through a system in which 50% of the public’s vote and 50% of the judges’ vote will be combined to give the final result. The nine expert judges are as follows:

Ingmar De Vos (BEL), FEI President

Matthieu Baumgartner (SUI), Longines Vice President of Marketing

Marina Sechina (RUS), President Russian Equestrian Federation and member FEI Solidarity Committee

Simone Blum (GER), Jumping athlete and winner of the FEI Best Athlete Award 2018

Peter Bollen (BEL), Founder and chief nutritionist of Cavalor

Martin Atock (IRL), Managing Director of Peden Bloodstock

Robin Parsky (USA), Vice Chairman of the Jumping Owners Club (JOC)

Harald Link (THA), President Thailand Equestrian Federation

Eve Van Den Bol (CAY), President Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation (CIEF) and member FEI Solidarity Committee

About the FEI Awards

The FEI Awards were launched in 2009 to put a spotlight on the individuals and organisations that are making an outstanding contribution to the progression and excellence in equestrian sport.