FEI Awards 2024: Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete

Christian Kukuk (GER)

Jumping

Christian comes from a family with a deep connection to the equestrian world. His grandfather was head saddle master at the Warendorf State Stud, and his father was a successful Jumping athlete. His mother worked for the German Olympic Committee for Equestrian Sports (DOKR).

As a young boy, Christian was more interested in playing football than riding. His passion for the FC Bayern Munich resulted in a strong connection with player Thomas Müller, who co-owns Christian's top horse, Checker.

After completing a commercial apprenticeship, Christian’s passion for horses finally got the best of him. Driven by his precision and ambition, he set his sights on learning from the best – Ludger Beerbaum. Impressed by Christian's meticulous planning, Beerbaum took him under his wing in 2012, marking the start of his successful career.

Christian initially found success with young horses and in 2021, he competed in the Tokyo Olympic Games with his horse, Mumbai. That same year, he became European silver medallist with the German team on home ground in Riesenbeck.

His journey then led him to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, where he won individual gold. The freshly crowned Olympic Champion, is known for his meticulous care and sensitivity towards his horses, and with which he approaches his daily training and competitions.

Laura Collett (GBR)

Eventing

Laura Collett MBE was part of the British team that defended its Eventing team title from Tokyo 2020 (the first gold medal for Great Britain in eventing since Munich 1972), and, in doing so, gave Great Britain their first team gold medal of Paris 2024. Laura and her horse London 52, also broke the Olympic Dressage record and went on to win the individual bronze medal.

What you could not tell during these special moments is that Laura was unable to see through her right eye – a hindrance that makes her story one of the more remarkable of many remarkable comebacks.

Lucky to still be alive, let alone compete, Laura’s Olympic success comes 11 years after a terrible accident. While competing at an event, she fell off her horse, which then landed on top of her. Suffering multiple injuries including a punctured lung, lacerated liver, fractured shoulder, and two broken ribs, Laura was put in an induced coma for several days. She also lost her vision in her right eye after damage to her optic nerve.

Winning medals in Paris was a dream come true for Laura and also a reward to all her friends and family who supported her on her road to recovery.

Théo Gardies (FRA)

Vaulting

Vaulting has always been a passion of Théo Gardies’, and while he was not necessarily considered a favourite in competitions while growing up, this is definitely no longer the case. Through hard work and dedication, he recently achieved one of his greatest dreams, becoming world champion. Winning this title is testament to the perseverance and commitment he has put into the sport over the years.

A key element in his journey has been his horse, Sir Sensation, with whom he has had the privilege of training alongside his lunger, Sébastien Langlois. After his gold-medal performance at the FEI Vaulting World Championship, Théo admitted that his biggest dream had been to put the gold medal around Sir Sensation’s neck, as he is sure he is the best vaulting horse in the world.

The team bond that has developed around Théo has been crucial to his performances. Théo praises the people closest to him, particularly Sébastien, and the support he receives, crediting this as greatly contributing to his success in Vaulting. Thanks to the fantastic collaboration with his team, Théo has already experienced amazing successes in the sport while still being at a relatively early stage of his career.

Bram Chardon (NED)

Driving

When he was young, not much in the life of Bram pointed towards an equestrian career, given that he was a fanatical footballer and cyclist, dreaming of becoming professional in one of these two sports. However, he was also interested in what the rest of his family enjoyed doing, namely Jumping, Dressage and – especially – Driving.

Growing up, Bram was the biggest fan of his father, multi-world champion in Driving IJsbrand Chardon, and it was while watching the FEI Driving World Championships 2008 in Beesd (NED), that he realised, after experiencing the atmosphere around his father’s victory, that his destiny lay in Driving.

A glittering career began from there on. In 2011, Bram became four-in-hand pony world champion in Lipica (SLO) and won the silver team medal. This success was surpassed in 2013 in Pau (FRA) and 2015 in Breda (NED), with Bram claiming team and individual gold medals both times. Fast forward to 2024 and Bram won his third FEI Driving World Cup™ title in Bordeaux (FRA) after winning in 2019 and 2022. It was a real family affair with his sister Lianne in his carriage team as well, and dad winning individual bronze. Most recently, Bram clinched team gold and individual silver at the FEI Driving World Championships 2024 in Szilvásvárad (HUN).

FEI Awards 2024 

This year’s FEI Awards features four categories with the short-listed nominees hoping to add their names to a roll of honour that dates back to 2009.

The public have until 13 October to cast their vote for the 16 shortlisted nominees. The winners will be decided by a voting system that is based 50% on the public vote and 50% on the judges’ panel featuring equestrian experts.

The winners will be announced at this year’s FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines, in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on 13 November. Vote here today!