Photo gallery: Equestrian Laurentia Tan wins The Straits Times' Athlete of the Year 2012 Award

(From left) Nominee Shayna Ng, The Straits Times Editor Warren Fernandez, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, ST Athlete of the Year winner Laurentia Tan, Fraser & Neave F&B chief executive Pascal De Petrini, nominee Shahril Ishak and ST Sports Editor Marc Lim at the ST Athlete of the Year award ceremony. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW

Britain-based equestrienne Laurentia Tan (right), Singapore’s most bemedalled Paralympian, receives her ST Athlete of the Year trophy from Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong. Tan edged out three other nominees - table tennis player Feng Tianwei, bowler Shayna Ng and footballer Shahril Ishak - for the annual award. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW

The Straits Times Editor Warren Fernandez (left) and Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong (second left) present the ST Athlete of The Year trophy to winner Laurentia Tan (second right), while Mr Pascal De Petrini, chief executive of F&B Fraser & Neave, watches on. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW

Britain-based equestrienne Laurentia Tan, Singapore’s most bemedalled Paralympian, is The Straits Times’ Athlete of the Year for 2012. She received her award in a ceremony held on Feb 26, 2013, at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW

The Straits Times awards four-time Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan posing with her Athlete of the Year award trophy at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel . -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

The Straits Times awards four-time Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan seen here being congratulated by her aunt Faye Ing, a trading representative, at the Grand Copthorne Hotel. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

From right, clock-wise: Bowler Shayna Ng, Laurentia Tan, F&N Foods general manager Jennifer See, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, F&B Fraser & Neave chief executive officer Pascal de Petrini, ST sports editor Marc Lim, and footballer Shahril Ishak. The Straits Times awards four-time Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan its Athlete of the Year award. Other nominees are Feng Tianwei, Shayna Ng and Shahril Ishak. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

Laurentia Tan of Singapore during the Dressage Individual Championship Test Grade Ia on day 4 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England on Sept 2, 2012. Laurentia Tan has been crowned The Straits Times’ Athlete of the Year for 2012, in an award ceremony held on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE SPORTS COUNCIL/GETTY IMAGES

Singapore rider Laurentia Tan Yen-Yi became Singapore’s first Paralympic medallist at the Beijing Paralympic Games 2008. Together with her horse called Nothing To Lose, she finished her Grade 1a Individual Championship Test with a bronze medal. Laurentia Tan has been crowned The Straits Times’ Athlete of the Year for 2012, in an award ceremony held on Tuesday afternoon at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront hotel. -- PHOTO: SINGAPORE NATIONAL PARALYMPIC COUNCIL

Bowler Shayna Ng (centre), receiving a token of appreciation from ST editor Warren Fernandez (left) and F&B Fraser & Neave chief executive officer Mr Pascal de Petrini. The Straits Times awards four-time Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan its Athlete of the Year award. Other nominees are Feng Tianwei, Shayna Ng and Shahril Ishak. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

Footballer Shahril Ishak (centre), receiving a token of appreciation from ST editor Warren Fernandez (left) and F&B Fraser & Neave chief executive officer Mr Pascal de Petrini. The Straits Times awards four-time Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan its Athlete of the Year award. Other nominees are Feng Tianwei, Shayna Ng and Shahril Ishak. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG