Two horsewomen from the United States are among 20 finalists for the 2022 FEI Awards announced Thursday by the Fédération Equestre International.

Sue Schlegel, longtime groom for show jumper Beezie Madden, was nominated for the Cavalor FEI Best Groom award and California-based para-equestrian Mia Rodier-Dawallo, the 2022 USEF Para-Dressage national champion, was nominated for the FEI Against All Odds awards.

The public now has 10 days, through Oct. 16, to vote on the FEI website for their winners from the 20 finalists, who represent 15 countries and include world champions, highly accomplished up-and-coming young athletes, grooms, inspirational equestrians, judges and charities. The winners will be decided by combining 50% of the public’s vote and 50% of the judges’ vote from a panel of nine experts appointed by the FEI.

Mia Rodier-Dawallo, who won the 2022 USEF Para-Dressage National Championship aboard Jayden, is one of two U.S. nominees for the 2022 FEI Awards. Lindsay Berreth Photo

Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry, who took home two individual dressage gold medals at the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning (Denmark), is one of four nominees for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award. Her peers include vaulting world champion and former Longines FEI Rising Star Award winner Lambert Leclezio from France, para-dressage world champion and Paralympic gold medalist Sanne Voets from the Netherlands, and Swedish jumping legend Henrik von Eckermann, the current FEI World No. 1, reigning world champion and Tokyo Olympic team gold medalist.

Once again this year the FEI received diverse nominations from all over the globe, highlighting individuals and organizations going above and beyond in their dedication to equestrian sports and horse welfare. Winners will be named at the FEI Awards Gala to be held Nov. 13 during the FEI General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa.

The shortlisted nominees have been selected for their outstanding achievements on the field of play, inspirational outlook and unparalleled dedication to equestrian sport. Learn more about each nominee here. They are, in alphabetical order by award category:

Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete for the athlete who over the past year has demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level.

• Charlotte Fry (Great Britain)—Dressage
• Lambert Leclezio (France)—Vaulting
• Sanne Voets (the Netherlands)—Para Dressage
• Henrik von Eckermann (Sweden)—Jumping

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

• Alice Casburn (Great Britain)—Eventing
• James Derwin (Ireland)—Jumping
• Sam Dos Santos (the Netherlands)—Vaulting
• Karla Dyhm-Junge (Denmark)—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.

• Kerryn Edmans (New Zealand)—Eventing groom for Tim and Jonelle Price
• Emma Olsson (Sweden)—Driving groom for Boyd Exell
• Sue Schlegel (United States)—Jumping groom for Beezie Madden
• Lars Seefeld (Germany)—Dressage groom for Daniel Bachmann Andersen

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

• Trevor Harrison (New Zealand)—Former jockey
• Estiven Palacio Hernandez (Colombia)—Vaulting
• Muthoni Kimani (Kenya)—Jumping
• Mia Rodier-Dawallo (United States)—Para dressage

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

• Zuzana Maciak Masarykova (Slovakia)
• Horse Charity Barbados (Barbados)
• The Big Food Ride (Eswatini, formerly Swaziland)
• The Dressage SA Solidarity Stars Project (South Africa)