The finalists have been announced for the ESNZ Hall of Fame Awards night tomorrow night in Auckland, and followed by the Combined AGM featuring Dressage NZ, ESNZ Eventing, and ESNZ Jumping & Show Hunter.
Two new categories have been introduced this year, and they are the GROOM OF THE YEAR AWARD that recognises excellence and outstanding contribution by a groom (volunteer or professional) and the AGAINST ALL ODDS AWARD in recognition of the person who has pursued his or her equestrian ambitions despite a physical or neurodiverse disability or extremely difficult personal circumstances.
The finalists are:
ESNZ RIDER OF THE YEAR FOR 2024: Wendi Williamson, Sophie Scott and Tim Price (seen in photo above);
ESNZ HORSE OF THE YEAR – INTERNATIONAL FOR 2024: Windermere J’Obei W and Greenacres Special Cavalier;
ESNZ HORSE OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL FOR 2024: Don Vito MH, Waitangi Skynet, Festival;
ESNZ TEAM OF THE YEAR FOR 2024: 2023 FEI Dressage World Challenge, Saba Sam Land Rover Horse of the Year 2024, Oceania Young Riders Team Land Rover Horse of the Year 2024;
ESNZ AGAINST ALL ODDS: Nicole Sweney for Dressage, Annie Moffett for Jumping, Chelsea Burns for Eventing, and Jodie Thorne for Para Dressage;
ESNZ GROOM OF THE YEAR: Sarah Parkes for Dressage and Jenni Calver for Eventing.
THE PILMER PLATE – ESNZ LIFETIME VOLUNTEER/OFFICIALS AWARD, the ESNZ YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARDS and the 2024 ESNZ HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES will be announced on the night.
2024 Hall of Fame Awards cocktail party and award ceremony will be held on Friday evening, 5 July at Rydges Auckland. The combined AGMs will be held over the weekend. For more see:
Dressage: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/2024/05/dressage-agm-awards-dinner-6th-july-2024/
Jumping & Show Hunter: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/hall-of-fame-conference-agm-2024/
Eventing: https://www.nzequestrian.org.nz/disciplines/eventing/eventing-agm-2024/