Irish duo nominated for prestigious international sports awards

  • 21 September 2017, 12:10

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) has announced the shortlisted nominees for the 2017 FEI awards, with two Irish individuals among those selected.

Wexford’s Harry Allen (pictured) has been nominated for the Longines Rising Star Award, which is for a young person aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates “outstanding sporting talent and commitment.” Sixteen-year-old Allen, who competes on both horses and ponies at international level, is following in his older brother Bertram’s footsteps making a name for himself on the international stage in Show Jumping.

He has had a hugely successful year claiming both team and individual gold at the FEI European Pony (Under 16) Championships in Kaposvar, Hungary this summer. Harry is one of four nominees for the Rising Star Award, along with Dressage, Endurance and Vaulting athletes from Britain, Uruguay and Colombia.

 

 

Liam Moggan meanwhile has been nominated for the FEI Solidarity Award. This is for an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, an individual or organisation that has demonstrated “skill, dedication and energy in expanding the sport.”

Born in Tuam Co Galway and now living in Co Meath, Liam Moggan (pictured left) has been involved with the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Coaching Programme since its inception. Liam has been instrumental from day one, supporting and advising on the development of the structure, and to date has been responsible for the delivery of top quality training to all 43 tutors / coach educators within the equestrian programme. Liam has also been responsible for the ongoing education and annual upskilling of these Tutors for the last 19 years. He has worked closely with coaches of all levels, from grassroots to some of the industry’s top professionals and has been extremely influential in the education of the top-class coaches produced through the HSI programme.

Liam has also been closely involved with the FEI has been vital in the development of coaching structures in several countries around the world, delivering training for Tutors and Coaches alike. He was one of the “founding fathers” of the FEI Coach Education Programme in 2004 and has been in charge of the tutors delivering the course, putting more than 300 coaches through the level 3 workshop. He has been helping the FEI Eventing and Veterinary Departments in the ongoing education of their course directors.

Speaking after the announcement of the 2017 FEI Award nominees, Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said:

“I want to congratulate Harry Allen and Liam Moggan on their nomination for these hugely prestigious international awards. The deadline for voting is fast approaching and ends in just over a week on October 1st. I would encourage the entire Irish equestrian and wider sporting community to get behind our two Irish nominees who richly deserve our support.”

This is the first time since the creation of the FEI awards in 2009, that the public can cast a vote for their heroes and impact who they think deserves to win. The 20 nominees have been shortlisted across five categories for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the sport, showcasing some of the most successful achievements and talent within the Equestrian community.

The FEI received hundreds of nominations from around the globe over the 12 week nomination period. The public vote determines 50% of the total vote whilst the other 50% will be decided by a star-studded expert judging panel.

The winner of each of the five categories (Best Athlete, Longines Rising Star, Best Groom, Against All Odds and FEI Solidarity) will be announced at the FEI Awards 2017 gala presented by Longines in Montevideo (URU) on 21 November 2017, in front of more than 350 distinguished guests, including top sporting legends, equestrian fans, FEI partners and stakeholders representing the 134 National Equestrian Federations. The awards will be broadcast live on FEI platforms, providing a valuable opportunity to celebrate the best of the best of Equestrian worldwide.

You can register you vote by clicking HERE – You must click to highlight your selection in each of the five categories before submitting your vote at the bottom of the page

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