Gilles Thomas in nominated for the 2016 Longines Rising Star award. Photo (c) FEI.
Four athletes have been nominated for the 2016 FEI Longines Rising Star award, and one of them is Belgian showjumper Gilles Thomas. The nominees for the Longines Rising Star award must be aged between 14 to 21, and demonstrate outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
At only 18, Gilles Thomas is the youngest entry in the category this year. In August, Gilles became double European Champion for junior riders at Millstreet riding Indiana v.h. Kapelhof.
The nomination text from the FEI reads:
"Gilles has been racking up the awards in his few short years in Jumping. His medal cabinet is gleaming with silvers and golds from FEI championships and he shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
A regular on the International circuit, he’s been placed in the top 10 over 20 times since June this year, including wins at Verbier, Beervelde, Millstream and Knokke."
Then