Australia wins at Aachen with Prue Barrett (standing,left) as Chef d'Equipe and Nikki Harwood's Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison (left) as part of the team
Equestrian Australia tonight announced its 2016 Sport Achievement Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees at a ceremony held in the Stockmen’s Bar and Grill at the Brisbane Showgrounds.
Hosted in Brisbane for the first time, the event was attended by icons of Australian Equestrian sport including Olympians Wayne Roycroft, John Fahey, Gillian Rolton and Stuart Tinney. They were joined by other leading members of the equine community, award finalists, their families and friends.
Eventing stars celebrated with Prue Barrett winning Coach of the Year, a well deserved honour after a year which included an Australian team win in the CICO Nations Cup in Aachen and a bronze team medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio
CIC4* winning horse, Clifford
The Australian International 3 Day Event CIC4* winning horse Clifford was named the 2016 Domestic Horse of the Year and Western Australia’s Nikki Harwood, owner of Sonja Johnson’s Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, was named as Owner of the Year.
Eventing featured heavily in the Hall of Fame Inductees with the Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medal winning team of Andrew Hoy, Matt Ryan, Stuart Tinney, Phillip Dutton and Wayne Roycroft (Coach) being inducted,
“I’m very proud and grateful to be inducted and on behalf of my fellow riders on the team it is great to be here in this uniquely Australian environment tonight and be able to reflect on some wonderful memories and achievements in the saddle” said Stuart
Stuart Tinney added a bronze at Rio to his gold from Sydney 2000
Another eventing gold medallist, Gill Rolton, was also inducted, this time being honoured for her Service to Sport. Gill is the driving force behind the Australian International 3 Day Event which has become one of the top events in the world thanks to her passion and persistence
Matt Ryan’s double gold-winning horse Kibah Tic Toc was also inducted into the Hall of Fame
Equestrian Australia CEO Paula Ward paid tribute to the recipients; “Congratulations to all the outstanding horses and people awarded tonight for their huge contribution to Equestrian sport in Australia,” Ward said.
“Special mention must go to the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame inductees who have all played a significant part in the long success story and history of Equestrian both here and abroad.”
“We are very thankful to have such wonderful equine and human athletes flying the Australian flag and inspiring the younger generation of the Equestrian community,” she said.
European based Boyd Exell capped off a huge year taking out two awards – 2016 International Athlete of the Year and 2016 International Horse of the Year. He was also inducted into the Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame in recognition of his remarkable individual achievements in carriage driving.
“All I can say is wow what an honour to be inducted into Equestrian Australia’s Hall of Fame. It is one of the highlights of my career. I received an OAM a few years ago and that was also very high up there for me but this something really special,” Exell said.
“I am very honoured to be alongside athletes like Andrew Hoy, Wayne Roycroft and Ted Dwyer.”
Boyd’s brother Kent was on hand to accept the award on his behalf tonight.
2016 Sport Achievement Award Winners
2016 Domestic Athlete of the Year– Clint Beresford (Showjumping, NSW)
2016 Domestic Horse of the Year – Clifford (Eventing, NSW)
2016 IRT International Horse of the Year – Four-in-hand team of Carlos, Celviro, Daphne, Rambo 395 and Zindgraaf (Driving, Boyd Exell, based overseas)
2016 International Athlete of the Year – Boyd Exell (Driving, based overseas)
2016 Young Athlete of the Year – Mary Warren (Dressage, from NSW)
2016 Owner of the Year - Nikki Harwood (WA)
2016 Administrator of the Year – Christine Bradfield (QLD)
2016 Club of the Year – Alexander Park Dressage Club (NSW)
2016 Coach of the Year - Prue Barrett (NSW)
2016 Volunteer of the Year – Andrea Goddard (SA)
2016 Official of the Year - Graeme Watts (QLD)
2016 AIS Event of the Year – Aquis Showjumping Classic (QLD)
Equestrian Australia Hall of Fame Inductees
Service to Sport – Gillian Rolton
Horse – Kibah Tic Toc
Individual – Boyd Exell
Team – Sydney 2000 Olympics (Eventing) Andrew Hoy, Matt Ryan, Stuart Tinney, Phillip Dutton, Wayne Roycroft (Coach) GOLD MEDAL
