Michelle Robson as we usually see her - here at Sydney 3DE with her (hopefully) London 2012 bound charge, Shane Rose's Taurus
In 2009 top Australian groom (and An Eventful Life blogger, we’re pleased to say!) Michelle Robson won the inaugural FEI Best Groom Award. Michelle is well-known in eventing circles as the head girl at Bimbadeen Park working with Shane and Niki Rose. As well as being a competition rider herself, Michelle has been the travelling competition groom for Shane and Niki at some very important events. She has accompanied horses to the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, the prestigious CCI**** at Burghley in the UK, the Olympic Test Event in Hong Kong , the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and now no doubt London 2012. Niki and Shane nominated Michelle for the award and were delighted when she won
“Without Michelle in our yard, life would be a lot harder” says Shane “She knows the running of Bimbadeen Park inside out and it was great that she her contribution could be recognised this way”
Without the nomination by Shane and Niki, Michelle’s talent and dedication may have gone unrewarded. There are many people who deserve to be recognised in such a way – do you know one? If so, maybe you should nominate them for one of the FEI Awards before nominations close on 31st July 2012
The FEI Awards were launched in 2009 to put a spotlight on the men, women, young people and organisations that are making an outstanding contribution to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport -- in or out of the arena. The five FEI Awards categories are:
Best Groom, for that important person who works behind the scenes and ensures the horses he or she looks after are given the best possible care.
Against All Odds, for a person who has pursued his or her equestrian ambitions, despite a physical handicap or extremely difficult personal circumstances.
HSBC Rising Star, for a person aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
Development, for a person or organisation dedicated to making equestrian sport accessible to a wider public.
The Reem Acra Best Athlete, for the athlete (equine or human) or combination that, over the past year, has demonstrated exceptional skill in the arena and taken the sport to a new level.
The nominations are open to the equestrian community worldwide and the winners will be selected by a jury of international experts chaired by FEI President HRH Princess Haya. The winners will be flown to Istanbul, Turkey to receive their awards during a gala dinner on 8th November which will be attended by representatives from the 132 National Federations affiliated to the FEI.
For more information and to submit your nomination before 31st July 2012, visit www.feiawards.org
A very glam Michelle in Copenhagen Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI
To read more about Michelle’s trip to the 2009 FEI Awards night in Copenhagen to collect her Award CLICK HERE.
To read Michelle’s blog CLICK HERE
