Saadiyat Island truly became the ‘Island of Happiness’ on Wednesday evening as the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas welcomed the equestrian world’s finest for the 2024 FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines.
Longines FEI Rising Star Award
It was a night to remember for local Jumping sensation Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) who claimed this year’s Longines FEI Rising Star Award, honouring athletes aged 14 to 21 who show outstanding equestrian talent.
Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) riding Enjoy de La Mure. (FEI/Benjamin Clark)
The 21-year-old who was the flag carrier for the UAE at the Olympic Games, stood out in Paris for being the youngest athlete in equestrian and for qualifying for the Individual Final, ultimately finishing in the Top 20 on his Olympic debut.
Patrick Aoun, Longines Brand Manager for Middle-East & South East Asia presented Omar with the award and an elegant timepiece from the FEI’s Top Partner.
“I feel so proud to win the Longines FEI Rising Star award, especially as it is the first time someone from UAE has received it,” said Omar.
”I had an exceptional experience in Paris. I participated in the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, which was memorable, but Paris was completely different. I was competing with riders I have looked up to for years.
“I got my horse Enjoy de la Mure just 10 months before Paris which was not ideal. However, I developed a strong bond with him. He is an exceptional horse and jumps so incredibly well, and he was in great form heading into the Olympic Games in Paris.
“He has already experienced one Olympics, which is an amazing achievement, and he still has much to offer – the future is bright for him. I hope we can compete together at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, and I will be there every step of the way to help make that dream a reality.” (Ed. note: Enjoy de la Mure was previously owned, trained and ridden as a six-year-old by Canadian Kyle Timm.)
Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award
The second award of the night went to Olympic Jumping champion Christian Kukuk (GER), who received the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award from the sponsor’s Managing Director, Martin Atock.
Coming from a family with a deep connection to the equestrian world, Christian was more into playing football than riding growing up. While that changed, the two pursuits crossed over somewhat in 2024 when Christian rode his horse Checker 47 – co-owned by Bayern Munich footballer Thomas Müller – to Individual Jumping gold at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“It is a big honour for me to win this award,” Christian said. “To be called the best athlete in 2024 is incredible. This achievement is the result of a team effort. While I stand in the first row, there are many people behind me.”
Christian, known for his meticulous care and sensitivity towards his horses, also paid tribute to his equine partner, Checker.
“I have known Checker for four years, and during that time, we have built a strong connection. It takes a lot of work, just as it does in human relationships,” Christian explained.
“We have shared both success and disappointment. Our bond is built on trust—he needs to trust me, and I need to trust him—and that trust led to a gold medal in Paris. It meant everything to have my family and friends there with me. Our sport is about emotions, and it’s sad if you can’t share these moments with those closest to you.”
Cavalor FEI Best Groom
Bettina Cardinael (FRA) was crowned Cavalor FEI Best Groom, an award that honours the unsung heroes of equestrian sport who work behind-the-scenes.
Receiving the award from Cavalor Brand & Customer Experience Manager Monique Vanhal, Bettina was recognised for her work as groom for Eventing athlete Lara De Liederkerke (BEL), with whom she shared an incredible year, including winning the CCI5* in Lumühlen and finishing 13th in the Eventing Individual at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“I love working with Lara; she is hardworking, human and kind to her horses,” Bettina said.
“This year has been both challenging and exciting, and I could see that our team was destined for great things. I am very happy to have contributed to this success and to be recognised with this award.
“I have always loved Lara’s horse, Origi, and he has improved so much over the past year. The special relationship between the horse and groom is developed at home, but becomes more evident at shows. At home we try to follow the same routine every day in their schedule and I love creating little habits with the horses that I can replicate at shows to make them feel confident.”
FEI Inspire Award
For the final award of the evening, the Namibian Equestrian Federation (NAMEF) received the FEI Inspire Award, for its development programme ‘Enabling Through the Horse’.
The FEI Inspire Award is designed to showcase the incredible spirit and determination of individuals or organisations that serve as role models, demonstrating that anything is possible.
Supported by FEI Solidarity, and First Rand Namibia Foundation Trust, the NAMEF programme creates opportunities for differently-abled communities in Namibia through equestrian sport, under the guidance of Susan de Meyer.
“This recognition will make a huge impact on the Federation, the programme, to the children, and the horses,” said NAMEF President Richard Frankle, who received the award from FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos.
“We are also grateful that Susan de Meyer’s work is being recognised through this award. She is the one with the teaching skills, producing incredible results through her endeavours and patience. One girl was completely non-verbal and after two weeks of the programme spoke her first words. Another boy had no confidence and it took him three months to get on the back of a horse – and now he is riding and absolutely loves it.
“It is amazing to see the impact such a large animal can have on children. Initially, many children are scared, but as they interact with the horse, they begin to understand its true nature. This helps them realise that while the world can be intimidating, there are also parts of it that are safe and welcoming. Horses are completely non-judgmental; they accept you for who you are. They connect deeply with children, becoming one with them.”
This year’s winners were decided again by combining 50 percent of the public votes cast on FEI.org, and 50 percent of the judges’ votes. National Federations, FEI partners and stakeholders attended the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines, with equestrian commentator Steven Wilde (GBR) as Master of Ceremonies.
FEI President Ingmar De Vos said, “It has been a fantastic year for our dear athletes and horses, with many of them competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and these prestigious awards are always a great celebration for the FEI Family.
“Our worthy winners serve as a true inspiration to the future generation of equestrians in terms of their equine excellence, and strong ethics and values that underline the importance of equine welfare.
“I want to thank all our winners, the nominees, and the tens of thousands of equestrian fans who voted for the awards. I also want to thank our valued sponsors, Peden Bloodstock, Cavalor, and, especially, our Top Partner Longines, who once again brought their renowned style and grace to this wonderful Gala evening. We complement each other perfectly, and I look forward to many more years of partnership.”
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