The FEI Awards
The FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award is extremely prestigious, presented at the FEI Awards Gala each year.
Grooms are nominated by their athletes, and others within the sport.
A judging panel draws up a shortlist from the nominations they receive and the winner is chosen from this shortlist, 50% from a public vote and 50% by an FEI panel.
We are very proud to have past winners of this Award as members of the IGA and two previous winners sitting on our board of directors, Jackie Potts (2014) and Alan Davies (2017).
This award celebrates and rewards truly outstanding grooms, and is kindly supported by our partner Cavalor.
The 2024 nominees are:
Mette Klose Nielsen, Para Dressage groom to Jens Lasse Dokkan (NOR) and IGA Rep
Mette began as a groom for the Norwegian dressage team in 2022, and since 2017 has worked fulltime for Jens Lasse Dokkan - Mette has been to five Paralympics with Jens Lasse.
As groom to a Grade 1 Para athlete Mette has responsibility for riding as well as caring for the horses.
She also works to improve awareness and visibilty of Para dressage and equestrianism - we are very proud to see her on the shortlist!!
Bettina Cardinael, Eventing groom to Lara de Liederkerke (BEL)
Bettina is known for her positive outlook and care for the horses. Having worked in top level eventing as a freelance groom for many top athletes, she now works full time for Lara.
This year they won the Luhmuhlen 5* and were in Paris for the 2024 Olympics.
Lisa Fundis, Jumping groom to Philip Weishaupt (GER)
Lisa has worked for Philip for eight and a half years, at the most prestigious shows and Championships around the world.
She is known not only for her exceptional care of her horses, but also her friendship and kindness towards her colleagues.
Pille-Riin Roosileht, Driving groom to Zsort Rimarcsik (HUN)
Pille-Riin is the fulltime groom to Zsolt Rimarcsik, the trainer of the Hungarian Youth Driving team.
She is also a very experienced athlete herself with great success at FEI Driving Championships, especially in Dressage.
She is also an FEI Steward, officiating even at championships when she is not grooming, and is known for her friendliness and hard work.
The winner of the 2023 FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award was Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN).
Emma has worked for Steve Guerdat (SUI) for over a decade, and played a role in major successes such as winning Individual Gold at the Jumping Europeans last year.
She is known for her hard work and dedication, and is an integral part of the wider Swiss team, often the nominated groom to fly with the team horses.
Watch the FEI's video interview with Emma and Steve here.
The other nominees for the 2023 FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award were:
- Danny Ingratta - works at Millar Brook Farm (Jumping, CAN)
- Sofia Flodin - works for Matthias Rath (Dressage, GER)
- Sarah Charnley - works for Ros Canter (Eventing, GBR)
We are very proud to once again see three IGA members among the 2023 nominees. The nomination alone is a huge honour, and all four serve as an inspiration and examples of exceptional dedication and skill.
The 2022 winner of the Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award was Kerryn Edmans (NZ).
Kerryn is Head Girl to Tim and Jonelle Price, the current Eventing World No. 1 and 2. Having worked for them since 2013, with a brief break before Covid, Kerryn is a key member of the team and a well-known and hugely respected face on the eventing circuit. Her attention to detail, her knowledge and feel for the horses she cares for and her ability to be a team player make her a great ambassador for eventing.
The other 2022 nominees were:
- Lars Seefeld, dressage- works for Daniel Bachmann Anderson
- Emma Olsson, driving- works for Boyd Exell
- Sue Schlegel, jumping- works for Beezie Madden
