George wins Belgium’s Equestrala award

Michèle George became the first Paralympic athlete to win Belgium’s equestrian rider of the year award. 10 Dec 2012
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A picture of a woman showing her trophy

Michèle George showing her trophy after becoming the first Paralympic athlete to win the Equestrala.

ⒸNPC Belgium
By IPC

"It is extremely motivating to receive this prize from the Belgian equestrian world. It shows that para-equestrian is recognised in full as a high-level sport discipline."

After winning double gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Michèle George became the first Paralympic athlete to win the Equestrala on Saturday (8 December), which is Belgium’s best equestrian performer of the year award.

“A fabulous way of getting recognition for my performance,” George said of the award.

“Winning this award, seeing the competition from our very popular jumping athletes, means a lot to me. It is extremely motivating to receive this prize from the Belgian equestrian world. It shows that para-equestrian is recognised in full as a high-level sport discipline. I am very happy with it, and the trophy will certainly get a nice spot in my living room, maybe next to my two gold medals.”

George beat Olympic riders Olivier Philippaerts and Jerome Guery to win the honour, after taking gold over Great Britain’s Sophie Wells in both the individual championship and freestyle grade IV events this summer in London.

Her performance at London 2012 also came in at No. 38 in the IPC’s top 50 moments of the year in Paralympic sport.

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