Horsezone Ambassador Joann Formosa Wins EA International Athlete of the Year Award

Australian Paralympic gold medallist Joann Formosa has capped off an incredible London Paralympic campaign, winning the International Athlete of the Year award at the Equestrian Australia Sport Achievement Awards last night.

The team at Horsezone is thrilled to have Joann as our ambassador. She found her wonderful horse, Worldwide PB on our website. Joann, who overcame severe obstacles with her disability and went on to win a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics, is a very worthy recipient of this award and an inspiration to all who meet her!

Joann beat Great Britain's Lee Pearson, who had dominated the class since Sydney 2000, to win gold in London. 

To win this Award, Joann beat top class horsemen and women including London Olympians Lyndal Oatley, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Chris Burton, as well as Boyd Exell and Lani Maher.

The Australian Paralympic Committee website reports that Joann is the first Australian to win a gold medal in equestrian since the Sydney Paralympics and was the only Australian to win a medal in equestrian at both the London Paralympic and Olympic Games.

“I’m very proud of her achievement,” said London 2012 Para-equestrian Head Coach, Julia Battams.

“We all thought she deserved to win this award and it’s nice to know the larger equestrian community agree that Jo’s was an inspirational performance.”

Formosa is only the second Australian to win equestrian gold at the Paralympic Games, following Julie Higgins’ dual gold in Sydney.

Photo: SWD Images

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• To learn more about Joann read 'Five Minutes With... Joann Formosa'