By Emily Goddard

Joann Formosa 090513May 9 - Joann Formosa has been named as International Athlete of the Year at the Equestrian Australia Awards at Le Montage in Sydney after becoming a Paralympic champion at London 2012.

The 52-year-old (pictured top), who won gold in the grade 1b mixed dressage at London's Greenwich Park - beating home Paralympian Lee Pearson who had dominated the class since the Sydney 2000 Games, topped London Olympians Lyndal Oatley, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Chris Burton, as well as world championship riders Boyd Exell and Lani Maher to claim the prize.

Formosa is the first Australian to win a gold medal in equestrian since Julie Higgins' dual gold at Sydney 2000 and was the only Australian to win a medal in the sport at both the London Paralympic and Olympic Games.

She is also only the second Australian to win a Paralympic gold medal in equestrian.

Joann Formosa finished with a score of 75.826 per cent at London 2012 to take the grade 1b mixed dressage gold medalJoann Formosa finished with a score of 75.826 per cent at London 2012 to take the grade 1b mixed dressage gold medal

"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."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2012: Formosa shatters Pearson's pursuit of perfection in Paralympic equestrian arena