U.S. show jumper Mimi Gochman earned the Federation Equestre Internationale’s Longines Rising Star Award on Tuesday night, Nov. 21, during the organization’s FEI Awards Gala in Mexico City.
The 19-year-old from New York City has already made her mark on the international stage with three senior FEI Jumping Nations Cup team appearances. Gochman has come into her own during the 2023 season, placing fourth in the FEI Jumping U25 Rankings and earning top three results at several CSI5* level competitions. With her sights set firmly on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Gochman is also currently pursuing a degree at Brown University (Rhode Island).
Longines international sponsorship and event manager Michael Vuilleumier presented Gochman with the Longines FEI Rising Star Award and an elegant timepiece from Longines.
“Winning the Longines FEI Rising Star Award is an extreme honor, and I’m super grateful to be here,” Gochman said. “Riding means everything to me. It’s the thing I’ve been doing my whole entire life, and for which I’m very grateful. I’ve always had a connection to horses. I think they’re incredible animals, and I’m lucky enough to spend my time with them. This sport has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons, and I hope to continue it as long as I can. Horses are very intelligent and when you make that relationship with them, a deep relationship, they work extremely hard to win with you.”
Other FEI award winners included:
– Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award: Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl
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-Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award: Finland’s Emma Uusi-Simola
-Pivo FEI Inspire Award: Mexico’s Federico Fernández Senderos
This year’s winners were decided by combining 50% of the public votes cast on FEI.org, and 50% of the judges’ votes. National Federations, FEI partners and stakeholders attended the FEI Awards, with well-known Mexican TV presenter Gloria Cazalda as Master of Ceremonies.
“All week during the FEI Hybrid General Assembly 2023, we have spoken about our role as governing bodies, what more we need to do to serve our sport and our stakeholders, and how we can build a better future for the next generation of equestrians,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “And tonight, we are celebrating the individuals who effectively inspire our decision-making process and the many discussions we have behind the scenes, so that we can provide them with the very best platform to thrive. So, this is a special night and I look forward to this occasion every year.”
