Australian Para-Equestrian Classifier Sharyn Gregory Nominated by the FEI for the IPC’s International Women’s Day recognition awards

Head Australian Para-Equestrian classifier Sharyn Gregory has been nominated by the FEI for the IPC 2020 International Women’s Day Recognition Awards. The recognition awards were created by the IPC Women in Sport Committee as a way to celebrate the success of women in the Paralympic Movement.  

Sharyn has been the driving force in keeping Para Equestrian classification up to date and initiated the current research project to update and improve the FEI Classification system. Her knowledge and experience are invaluable for the success of the project and the IPC’s support in this project has shown that Sharyn’s leadership is taking Para Equestrian Classification forward into the future. 

Sharyn has been a Classifier for over 20 years and has worked tirelessly in her role as FEI Head Classifier to keep Classification at the forefront of Para Equestrian. Sharyn has been a worthy successor to Jonquil Solt the founding mother of Para Equestrian, who developed the sport, and Chris Meaden, who developed the Classification system of Para Dressage. The classification system and the team of FEI Classifiers have been transformed by Sharyn’s unceasing efforts and dedication to the sport.

Alongside her work to keep Classification reliable and up to date, Sharyn is also a strong voice for global representation in the sport of Para Dressage, which is predominantly practised in Europe and is continuing to gain momentum here in Australia. Her input is vital for the development of new regions in Para-Dressage, which will increase the participation, recognition, and diversity of the sport. 

There are only 22 FEI International Para-Equestrian Classifiers worldwide and Sharyn is Australia’s sole FEI Classifier. Based in New South Wales Sharyn became a national classifier in 1998 and an international classifier in 2000 under the previous International Paralympic Equestrian Committee (IPEC) which transitioned to the FEI after 2006.

For the upcoming IPC 2020 International Women’s Day Recognition Awards Sharyn has been nominated in the ‘Builder category’. This category recognises sustained and consistent leadership over a period of time promoting and supporting women in sport. Candidates that can be considered include coaches, current or former athletes, administrators and officials.

“We are thrilled to learn that the FEI have nominated Sharyn Gregory for the 2020 IPC 2020 International Women’s Day Recognition Awards, and wholeheartedly agree with, and endorse, the nomination. Sharyn is an integral part of the Australian High Performance Para-Dressage program in supporting our Para-athletes in navigating the Classification system. We would like to congratulate Sharyn on her well deserved nomination.” said High Performance Director, Chris Webb.