Jessica Mendoza wins Rising Star award

Jessica Mendoza has been named the Longines Rising Star at the FEI Awards 2015, which recognises outstanding contributions to equestrian sport.

Youngest rider

The international showjumper was one of five award-winners at the glittering gala dinner in the Puerto Rican capital city of San Juan.

Hollywood actor Bo Derek was handing out the prizes.

Aged just 19, Jessica has had more then 10 wins in the past year and represented Great Britain at the 2015 European Championships. Despite being the youngest British rider for nearly 40 years, she played a key role in the team securing Olympic qualification at the championships, where they finish fourth overall.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone, I really wasn’t expecting this”, she said. “I’m so proud to be here tonight and receive the Longines Rising Star award. I am honoured to be amongst such great sporting talent.”

Against all odds

Boyd Exell was awarded the Reem Acra Best Athlete. The Australian who is now based in the Netherlands has won the World Driving Championships four times and the FEI World Cup Championships an incredible six times.

Best Groom went to the USA’s Jose Eduardo (Eddie) Garcia Luna, who works for Olympic rider Steffen Peters.

OrianaRicca Marmissolle received the Against All Odds awards for her battle against cancer. The endurance rider from Uruguay was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December 2013. Just eight days after her last chemotherapy session in May 2014, Oriana was back competing.

The 19-year-old has she gone on to compete in 11 endurance events and is now in her first year of university studying veterinary science.

‘Talent and excellence’

An incredible initiative in Haiti received the FEI Solidarity award. Les Chevaux qui pansent les plaies (Horses that heal wounds) was set up to help children affected by the 2010 earthquake, in particular amputees. It has over 250 participants, the top 10 of which are trained to compete in Para-equestrian sport.

“The FEI Awards recognise talent and excellence in all aspects of equestrian sport across the globe,” said FEI President Ingmar de Vos. “We know that all tonight’s winners will continue to achieve distinction, whatever their involvement in our sport, and it is humbling to meet such incredible individuals, and celebrate their achievements.”