Megan Jones wins SASI Female Sportsperson of the Year Soth Australian Sportsperson of the Year Photograph:Peter Jones

Olympic Eventing Team Silver Medallist Megan Jones topped off a wonderful year by winning the prestigious award.  

"It was so good to be recognised as the athlete when often the general consensus is that the horse is the only athlete," said Megan who has been a semi-finalist once before. 

Paralympian swimmimg champion Matthew Cowdrey (who won 5 medals at this year's Paralympic Games) won the SASI Male Athlete of the year. 

South Australian Recreation and Sport Minister, Michael Wright, presented awards in 12 categories to SASI athletes and coaches at the dinner where there were 350 people in attendance.

Minister Wright said Megan, with her silver medal in the teams event and a fourth-placing in the individual ranking at Beijing, had developed her horse Irish Jester over 15 years, and now has another horse waiting in the wings for London 2012. Her dedication to her sport and success on the world stage had led to her taking out the prestigious Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Minister Wright said the 2008 SASI Awards showcased the outstanding achievements of SASI athletes, coaches and programs over the past year.

Congratulations Megan