Charlotte Dujardin has not become the first dressage rider to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY), despite a huge push by the equestrian industry and an army of dressage fans.
The 29-year-old dressage star was among 10 elite sporting stars to be short listed for the prestigious sporting title. She was part of a packed house for the annual ceremony in Glasgow tonight (Sunday 14 December), which also saw eventer Harry Meade and para-dressage star Natasha Baker in the audience.
Zara Phillips, AP McCoy, David Broome and Princess Anne have previously won SPOTY from the equestrian world.
The 2014 award was won by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, with golfer Rory McIlroy in second and athlete Jo Pavey was third.
Charlotte finished fourth via the public vote — gaining 75,814 votes, 12.2% of the total placed.
Earlier this month Charlotte was named BT Sport’s action woman of the year at a ceremony at the Olympic Park in London. In November she took the Sunday Times/Sky Sportswoman of the year award.
After a stellar 2014, Charlotte is currently World, Olympic and European champion — never before has a dressage rider held all three titles at the same time.
The rider, who picked up two individual golds and team silver at this summer’s World Equestrian Games, now heads to Olympia with Valegro.
Previous equestrian SPOTY highlights
Previous equestrian winners in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards:
- 1960 David Broome
- 1971 Princess Anne
- 2006 Zara Phillips
- 2010 AP McCoy
Special achievement award:
- 1984 and 1994 Lester Piggott
The Helen Rollason award:
2012 Grand National winning jockey Bob Champion, who has since raised more than £12m for charity, received the Helen Rollason award, which recognises “outstanding achievement in the face of adversity”.
Team awards:
- 1970 Nijinsky and his connections
- 1972 Team GBR’s eventers
- 1979 and 1984 GBR showjumping team
- 1981 Bob Champion and Aldaniti
