The Rolex One to Watch Award for 2011 has been presented to Polish rider Aleksandra Lusina. Based at the Agro-Handel Riding Club in Olsza, Poland, the 32-year-old jumped from 556th to 232nd during May 2011 – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 324 places.

According to Rolex Rankings #134, which were published at the beginning of March 2012, Lusina was the 94th ranked rider in the world.

The Award recognises the Rolex One to Watch rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings during 2011. In the months since being crowned Rolex One to Watch in May 2011, the Polish rider has recorded a string of impressive results at competitions throughout Europe, competing in the Central European League.

Notable results include first, third and seventh place finishes, riding Bahar MNM, Chiara MNM, and Kalinka MNM respectively, in the Gunay Insurance Prize at the CSI2* Baku (AZE) in July 2011. Lusina also won the Cup of President of Georgian Equestrian Federation Grand Prix riding Kalinka MNM at the CSI2* Tbilisi (GEO) in September 2011. At the CSI3*-W Baku (AZE) in October 2011, Lusina won with Bahar MNM and also picked up second and third place finishes with Kalinka MNM. Lusina’s most recent distinguished results came at the CSI3*-W Baku (AZE) in December 2011, and at the CSI2*-W Baku (AZE) in January 2012, where she scored two wins at each event with Kalinka MNM.

Starting out in Dressage before moving onto Jumping, Lusina had a very successful career in young riders, including winning individual silver at the Polish Championships for Young Riders. Moving into senior competition she was the first woman to win the Polish Championships in 2007, and claimed the title again in 2009.
                      
Notes to Editors:
• Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE) is currently ranked number one in the Rolex Rankings and therefore holds the Green & Gold armband which bears the words “Number 1, The Rolex Rankings”.
• Marcus Ehning (GER) was the first rider to be awarded the Green & Gold in December 2009. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson shall wear it in all competitions whilst he is the Number 1 ranked rider in the Rolex Rankings.
• The Rolex Rankings are the only official guide to excellence in Jumping recognised by the FEI, and the Green & Gold has been devised for equestrian fans at events, and for those watching on TV internationally, to instantly recognise the world’s best/leading rider.
• The Rolex Rankings are updated monthly and issued at the start of each calendar month. For more information on the Rolex Rankings and to download the latest standings please visit the Jumping section of the FEI website at www.fei.org

Photo Caption: Aleksandra Lusina holding the Rolex One to Watch 2011 Award