Charlotte Fry has won the prestigious Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete prize at the 2022 FEI Awards.
The British dressage star and world champion has added to her achievements in 2022 after being announced as the winner at the Fédération Equestre Internationale Awards Gala in Cape Town, South Africa.
“To be the best athlete in 2022 is kind of crazy!” Fry said. “I am still taking it in and not really sure what to say about it yet, but it’s incredible.”
“The people who I need to thank the most for all my successes so far is definitely Anne and Gertjan Van Olst for giving me so many amazing opportunities and allowing me to ride horses like Glamourdale every day,” she added. “And, of course, to my whole team, sponsors and my family at home who I had to leave behind when I moved here, and to everyone who voted for me to become the best athlete for this year. Thank you, Peden Bloodstock, for the FEI Best Athlete Award 2022.”
The winners of the five awards were selected by a public vote in October, with fans from around the world choosing their favorites.
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British eventer Alice Casburn took the Longines FEI Rising Star prize. Casburn, 20, won team gold and individual bronze at this year’s FEI Eventing European Championship for Young Riders (Great Britain).
The Cavalor FEI Best Groom for 2022 was New Zealand’s Kerryn Edmans, who looks after the horses of the world’s top two eventing athletes Tim Price and Jonelle Price.
The FEI Against All Odds prize went to Kenyan jumping athlete Muthoni Kimani, who is pursuing a career in Europe after overcoming a series of challenges.
The FEI Solidarity choice was South Africa’s Dressage SA Solidarity Stars Project, which provides regular coaching to talented but disadvantaged riders.
Ingmar De Vos, who was re-elected for a third term as FEI president earlier in the day, said, “Every year these awards celebrate the best of the best of our sport. But the FEI Awards 2022 mark the first time that we are hosting these honors on the African continent, and remarkable that it’s an all-female line-up. This year more than ever, the FEI Awards represent the essence of our sport and shine a light on our values of equality, determination and courage. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for being incredible ambassadors for our sport.”
