On Monday, 8 February, Edward Gal was awarded the title "Rider of the Year 2009" at the sponsors’ meeting of Indoor Brabant. It was the first time in his career that Edward won the title. Gal and his dream horse Moorland’s Totilas rocketed to the top and showed record-breaking performances. They won team and individual gold at the European Championships in Windsor and became National champions in 2009.
Other nominees were Anky van Grunsven (dressage), Adelinde Cornelissen (dressage), Hugo Langeweg Jr (trotting) and Albert Zoer (jumping).
Former winners of the Rider of the Year title
Eight times:
• Anky van Grunsven (dressage)
Three times:
• Jos Lansink (jumping)
Twice:
• IJsbrand Chardon (four-in-hand driving)
• Anton Ebben (jumping)
• Johan Heins (jumping)
• Annemarie Sanders-Keijzer (dressage)
• Tjeerd Velstra (four-in-hand driving)
Once:
• Cees Benedictus-Lieftinck (dressage)
• Annie van Doorne (dressage)
• Janna Dragt-Peenstra (trotting)
• Dressage team: Annemarie Sanders-Keijzer, Tineke Bartels-de Vries, Jo Rutten
• Peter Geerink (jumping)
• Emile Hendrix (jumping)
• Maarten Jurgens (eventing)
• Marleen Koppejan-Imming (trotting)
• Jan Onrust (trotting)
• Piet Raijmakers* (jumping)
• Gonnelien Rothenberger-Gordijn (dressage)
• Riny Rutjens (pairs driving)
• Jo Rutten (dressage)
• Wout-Jan van der Schans (eventing)
• Gerco Schröder* (jumping)
• Tjitse Smeding (trotting)
• Jumping team: Jeroen Dubbeldam, Piet Raijmakers, Gerco Schröder, Albert Zoer
• Arjen Teeuwissen (dressage)
• Cees Vellenga (dressage)
• Four-in-hand driving team:, IJsbrand Chardon, Tjeerd Velstra, Theo Weusthof
• Harry Wouters van den Oudenweijer (jumping)
• Albert Zoer (jumping)
• Edward Gal (dressage)
Caption: Indoor Brabant president Gerrit-Jan Swinkels with Rider of the Year 2009 Edward Gal.
Photo: Henk van Esch