Michele Payne receives international award
Michelle Payne has been honoured with an international award for excellence in equestrian sports.
Payne was on hand to receive the award in Washington DC on Saturday, recognising her 2015 Melbourne Cup win among her other achievements.
The awards, sponsored by Longines, recognised four women whose careers have shown a positive influence and exceptional commitment to their chosen equine discipline.
The others to receive awards were professional equestrian Georgina Blooomberg, Reed Kessler, the youngest person to qualify for Olympics in show jumping, and Belinda Stronach, president of the Stronach racing empire.
“I am honoured to be in Washington to receive this special award. It means a great deal to me,” Payne said.
“Longines have been such wonderful supporters of women in equestrian sport, where there have been so many accomplished women. To stand alongside the calibre of women who have been recipients of this award is a truly humbling experience.
“My goal is to continue to encourage women that anything is possible if you dream and work hard enough.”
Payne, who also holds a trainer’s licence and has signalled the end of her riding career could come as soon as the end of this year, will ride at Royal Ascot next month and return to England for the Shergar Cup in August.