Malta’s Gaerty to judge at FEI Awards

The president of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, has invited Malta Equestrian Federation head, Ronald Gaerty, to judge at the prestigious FEI Awards for 2012.

Gaerty will form part of a judging panel of three, together with Rosana Maria Roig, director and secretary general of the Puerto Rico Equestrian Federation, and Pan Zhichen, head of the Chinese Equestrian Association.

The judging panel will be chaired by Princess Haya for the fourth consecutive year.

Various athletes were nominated for the awards which comprise five categories, namely, Reem Acra Best Athlete, HSBC Rising Star, Best Groom, Development and Against All Odds.

The winners of the FEI Awards will be invited to Istanbul to receive their awards at a gala evening in November that will close the FEI General Assembly 2012. It will be attended by representatives from the 132 national federations affiliated to the FEI.

Last month, IOC president Jacques Rogge gave his support to the FEI awards during the London Olympics.

“I am delighted to support the FEI awards, which, since their creation in 2009, have rewarded some of the most exceptional people in the equestrian world,” he said.

“I encourage you to nominate individuals who give the best of themselves and embrace the Olympic values of Respect, Excellence and Friendship in their work with horses and in their everyday lives.”

In a statement, Gaerty thanked Princess Haya for the trust and honour bestowed on him and the Maltese equestrian organisation in general.