Main image: Sarah Sherwood competing at the 2023 Virtus Global Games, where she was part of the gold medal-winning Australian team and also claimed individual silver in her division. Image by Virtus Global Games.
Virtus Equestrian athletes Andrew Driffield, Sarah Sherwood and Sui Watts are to be presented with the Australian Sports Medal in recognition of their contribution to the success of the Australian team at the 2023 Virtus Global Games.
First awarded in 2000 following the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Australian Sports Medal was presented to those who contributed to Australia’s sporting excellence that year. In 2020, amendments were made to allow the Australian Sports Medal to be awarded to commemorate Australian sporting participation in a range of multi-sports events, including the Global Games. The medal recognises the efforts of a range of Australians, including competitors, coaches, medical staff, and team staff.
Andrew Driffield competing at the 2023 Virtus Global Games, where he helped the Aussie team collect the gold medal and also claimed the individual gold in his division. Image by Virtus Global Games.
Gold for Australia in Vichy
The trio secured team gold for Australia at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France with Andrew and Sui also claiming individual gold and Sarah being awarded individual silver. You can read more about the Australian team and their success in Vichy here.
On returning from the Virtus Global Games, Sport Inclusion Australia nominated team members for the award, with the applicated recently approved by the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat. Presentations for this award are set to take place next month in the athletes’ respective states.
Congratulations to Sui, Sarah, and Andrew!
Sui Watts competing at the 2023 Virtus Global Games, where she helped Australia secure a team gold medal and also won the individual gold in her division. Image by Virtus Global Games.
Recent international success
Since the 2023 Global Games, the Virtus Equestrian movement in Australia has continued to grow with several live events held around the country in conjunction with Para Equestrian competitions.
All three athletes have since competed internationally at the Virtus Open European Equestrian Championships, where eight riders represented Australia on borrowed horses at the UK-based event. The other five riders were Chloe Karstens, Catherine Viney, Luke Purtill, Bel Dabic, and Phoebe Roche – with Phoebe joining Sarah, Andrew and Sui in the team competition where Australia took home the silver medal.
