Charlotte Dujardin's amazing achievements with Carl Hester and Roly Luard's Valegro have been recognised on a massive stage when she was crowned The Sunday Times Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year tonight. Charlotte was unable to collect her award as she's the other side of the world in Australia but Team GBR team mate Natasha Baker stepped in to deputise. Charlotte did join by satellite link to comment; "I'm privileged to be accepting this award tonight. I have an incredible relationship with Valegro. I've been working with him for eight years now and we know each other inside out. The only way I can describe him is like my dance partner. He should be up on stage receiving the award too but he's at home in his stable! It's the European Championships next year and the Rio is firmly in mind; hopefully we can bring home some more medals! I'd like to thank all my fans and my support team at home. Particularly Carl Hester and Roly Luard who've helped me get where I am today. I've had an incredible four years with what I've achieved; it's unbelievable...I can't actually believe it myself!"
Charlotte joins riders Zara Phillips and Pippa Funnell to win the award for equestrian sport but is of course the first dressage rider to take the honour. Her challengers this year included Commonwealth gold medal runner Jo Pavey, Sochi skeleton bob heroine Lizzy Yarnold and multi medal winning cyclist Joanna Rowsell so it makes it a huge achievement in such esteemed company. Read the full Sky Sports report of the evening.
Next on the award trail is the BT Sport Actionwoman of the Year which is voted for by the public so get behind Charlotte and vote http://bit.ly/10KKRaY
Thanks to www.teacreative.com for the image.