During the FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 in Milan, Italy, the International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) hosted an event at Palazzo Borromeo D’Adda which celebrated the fundamental role horse owners play in equestrian sports.

IJRC director Eleonora Moroni Ottaviani, IJRC president Kevin Staut and board member Ludger Beerbaum were the hosts of the evening. “Owners, who are true horse-lovers and passionate about the sport, support riders through thick and thin, sharing the joys of victory, and the pain of defeat, both inevitable in our sport," Ottaviani stated in a press release from IJRC. "Their financial and moral support is the engine which allows riders to attain high levels and important wins, moments of pure joy and strong emotions. This provides the reward for their commitment, consolidating the trust and ties with their riders."

During the evening, the IJRC presented an Honour Award to Adolfo Juri, the owner of Leone Jei (Baltic VDL x Corland, bred by G.M. van Mersbergen) – ridden by Switzerland's Martin Fuchs. An Honour Award was also presented to Georg Kähny, the owner of King Edward (Edward 28 x Feo, bred by Wim Impens) – multi-champion with Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann.

As the European Championship 2023 came to an end, the IJRC also expressed its gratitude to the grooms of the top three horses – Dynamix de Belheme, Zineday and Dubai du Cedre – honouring each of them with a gift. In doing so, the Club aimed to underline the esteem in which grooms of all levels, nationalities and disciplines are held, and their vital importance to the sport.