May 8, 2014, CAEN, France ~ Three exceptional journalists, including two Americans, will visit the historic region of Normandy, France, after winning the contest which will give them a travel stipend to cover the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy this summer.
Members of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists (IAEJ) and Alltech officials selected winners in the Alltech Hoof Beats Media Awards competition from a pool of international finalists.
“Through the Alltech Hoof Beats awards, we wanted to enable three international journalists the opportunity to travel to Normandy. This will allow them to cover and report from the epicenter of the Games during the 15 days of competition,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech.
“Alltech continues to be a valued partner of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists (IAEJ) and a generous supporter of equestrian media,” said Chris Stafford, IAEJ vice president and secretary. “We are delighted that once again Alltech has recognized the efforts of the media with this stipend that IAEJ members will benefit from in their coverage of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy this summer. Our thanks go to the staff at Alltech for making this happen and to our members for participating.”
Maurine Webb of the United States earned the LIFEFORCE Range Equine Health Beat with her article about relevant and notable equine health and nutrition. Webb’s Warmbloods Today article entitled “Nutrigenomics, Enhancing Equine Health for the Modern Sport Horse” discussed how nutrigenomics can be utilized in the equine realm for enhanced horse health, longevity and performance.
Lesley Ward of the United States earned the Celebrate Normandy Beat by demonstrating talent and aptitude in covering a cultural and lifestyle story. Ward’s article published in Horse Illustrated, “Bon Voyage,” informed and inspired her readers to join the excitement of the Games and discover the treasures of Normandy.
Anna Sharpley of Australia was awarded the Gold Medal Equine Athlete Beat for her coverage of an influential figure from one of the eight official disciplines of the Games. Sharpley’s article entitled, “Against All Odds: Danielle Weymark,” published in Horse Deals, explored a young handicapped rider’s determination to represent Australia as a top performing para-dressage rider.
Each journalist will be awarded a $5,000 travel stipend to attend the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy on receipt of media accreditation from the 2014 Normandy Organizing Committee. In addition, the Hoof Beats winners will be recognized during the Games and Alltech will commemorate the Hoof Beats winners’ coverage through a high-end publication printed post-Games.
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