Top honour for Para-Equestrian Formosa

2013 FEI Awards Recipients 
Photograph:FEI/Edouard Curchod

Formosa was presented with the FEI’s Against All Odds award at its annual gala ceremony in Montreux, Switzerland.

The FEI Awards recognise outstanding contributions to the progress and excellence of equestrian sport and the Against All Odds award is presented to a person who has pursued his/her equestrian ambitions in the face of adversity.

Despite suffering a debilitating injury after trying to shut a gate while sitting on a horse, Victorian based Formosa never gave up on her dream to represent her country on the world stage. She got the chance to fulfil her lifelong aspiration in 2012 when she was selected to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games.

At the age of 51, Formosa made her Paralympic Games debut and the outing soon turned historic when she became the first Australian to win a Paralympic gold medal since the Sydney 2000 Games. On her way to victory in the grade IB individual championship test, Formosa ended the reign of the world’s most successful Para-Equestrian rider to-date, Great Britain’s Lee Pearson. Prior to London, Pearson, a nine time Paralympic gold medallist, had won the grade 1B individual championship test at the three previous Paralympic Games.  

Formosa was shocked and humbled when she received the call from the FEI and attributed her success to a positive attitude and her horse Worldwide PB.    

“I get tingles through me every time I think of him and what we achieved together. I’m so passionate about him. I love that horse and I’m sure he feels the same. When I’m with him we’re one. He gives me the strength and confidence to do what I do. 

“It was a long and hard battle to get to London. It was a goal and a dream that I put on myself when I was five. I wanted to experience representing my country and feel the pride that goes along with that.

“In 2006 I got my first opportunity to represent Australia and from that moment I knew I could go all the way.

“I feel like I’m in some kind of dream, it’s still hard to believe what I’ve done,” Formosa said.

Equestrian Australia CEO Grant Baldock was among the first to congratulate Formosa on her achievement.

“Joann possesses a fighting spirit and a resilient attitude which makes her a fitting recipient of the FEI’s Against All Odds award.

“Her gold medal winning performance in London was a remarkable and historic achievement and this latest accolade recognises the significance of what she accomplished,” he said.