An impressive and diverse list of nominees are in the race for the FEI Awards 2021 as the online public voting opens for the Best Athlete, Rising Star, Best Groom, Against All Odds and Solidarity Awards – individuals and groups selected for their outstanding achievements on the field of play, inspirational outlook, and dedication to equestrian and para-equestrian sport.
In the FEI Solidarity category, Canada’s own Sue Ockendon received a well-earned nomination. Since moving to Canada from England in 1974, Sue has become a fixture on the Canadian eventing scene, best known as the organizer and force of nature of the Bromont International CCI since 1987. She has also served on Equestrian Canada’s Eventing Committee and is a Level 3 FEI Technical Delegate who has officiated all across Canada, the US, and in Central/South American countries including Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, and Chile, always striving to improve the quality and safety of the cross-country courses. Her goal has always been to promote the sport of eventing in a safe and welcoming environment and as a result, several of South American nations ended up qualifying for Continental Championships or Games, adding new flags to the global eventing family.
Sue’s latest project is the U25 Bromont Rising program to develop talented Young Riders and future eventing stars.
It was a team effort to get Sue the recognition she has long deserved, led by Swiss FEI official Christian Landholt, Ricardo Perez Conde, Chair of Mexican Eventing Team, and FEI veterinarian Yves Rossier.
Landholt, a businessman and eventer who has officiated as judge, steward and member of the Ground Jury at countless competitions including CCI Bromont, said, “I have known Sue for eleven years, since I first came to Bromont. Since then I have worked with her on many occasions in Canada and other countries. Her relentless determination to keep Bromont Horse trials and the Olympic site alive year after year, against the odds, is testament to her engagement to the sport worldwide and to the Canadian federation.”
He gives a nod to her persistence. “There would more than likely be no more eventing in Canada if it was not for Sue’s efforts. She never takes ‘no’ for an answer and rarely accept defeats. There is no challenge she would not face for the good of horses and the sport. Her determination may at times annoy some, but in the end everyone has to admire and respect her tenacity.”
He continues, “Sue is also totally committed to helping developing countries where her straight-talking wins her many battles and also gains her many supporters … even if at times she is not too PC, at least you always know where you stand with Sue!”
Another ‘co-conspirator’ in Sue’s nomination is Ricardo Perez Conde, chair of the Mexican Eventing Team, who expands on the importance of her efforts outside of Canada. “Sue helped a lot in Mexico to develop a plan for eventing. Thanks to her we’ve developed an international Mexican team which she helped to organize, teach, train, etc.”
It was not an easy task, owing to the political situation in the country, as initially the discipline was under army control and all the riders were in the army. In 2012, Sue spoke to the generals and convinced them to work with civilians to expand the Mexican program, continuing to push to get everyone to work together. “When she started there were about five to ten army riders and maybe three civilian riders,” notes Ricardo. “There are now twelve army riders and twelve civilian riders competing in FEI classes. At the National level, classes in 2010 only had 100 riders, but there are now 500.”
Sue also helped Ricardo open a new civilian venue which required support from the army to ensure its success.
“Sue convinced everyone to work together, which was a great achievement because the army had always wanted to keep control of everything but she showed the general the way to improve the sport,” said Ricardo. “She also urged them to work with FEI designers to do everything right. She invited a few Mexican officials to Canada to get the right education and learn how to host a show. And she never accepted any payment.”
The results speak for themselves: at the 2014 Central America Games, Mexico won team silver and individual bronze; four years later at the 2018 Games in Bogota, Mexico won team gold as well as gold and silver individual medals. “The program is good and we get results,” said Ricardo. “She taught everyone how to do everything right, and together, and addressed confrontation between the army and the civilians. No easy task!”
FEI Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Antwerp, Belgium, on November 17th. This will be the first in-person celebration of the winners since the FEI Awards Gala 2019 held at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia.
The public now has until October 17th to cast their votes, which will count for 50 per cent alongside the votes of a distinguished panel of judges; make sure you have your say and vote here!
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