The Northern Region of Eventing Ireland held their Annual Awards Ball at the new venue of the Stormont Hotel to promote the organisation’s many eventing achievements for 2023.
This was certainly the ‘Society Event of the Year’ with competitors, sponsors, supporters, owners, breeders, service providers and landowners coming together for an evening of celebration, compered by the amazing Raymond Bready.
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In his opening remarks, Raymond paid tribute to two of the Region’s stalwarts who, sadly passed away this year - David Corbett and Christopher Pooler. He also remembered the legend that was Marian Turley’s brother, Johnny, who died just last week and everyone’s thoughts were also extended to Emily Corbett, who is currently in hospital.
John Gibson of Sporting Images, provided beautiful personalised gift boxes containing wine for the gents, prosecco for the ladies and sparkling fruit juice for the under-age winners.
Jean Mitchell, MBE, took to the stage to present the Awards, a full list of which is detailed below.
A very worthy winner of ‘The Bright Outlook Memorial Trophy’, which Richard and Nicky Nesbitt award annually to the person whom they regard best embraces the Sportsman criteria and ethos was Rhonda Hall. Rhonda, who was caught totally off-guard with the award, competed in the EI 90 Amateur class for the majority of the year with her ‘Amiro’-bred gelding, ‘Red Hot Chili Piper’, but moved him up to EI 100 for their final event at Tullymurry. Rhonda is also a key volunteer at events when she is not competing.
This year, the prestigious Roy Pugh Memorial Award for the top Groom was awarded to Pippa Robinson, who was nominated by Emily Corbett. Emily’s submitted citation referenced Pippa’s efficiency and dedication to her team and for the high quality of turnout of horses, as well as ensuring that she, Emily, was always in the right place at the right time for all three disciplines. Pippa was presented with a beautiful print, kindly donated, as always, by Ruth Eyre Pugh.
Molly O’Connor, who won Team Bronze at the Pony European Championships, received a special plaque in recognition of her incredible performance with Coolnaleen Rebel. The combination also won the Special Silver Fox Trophy, presented by the Brown Family for ‘Pony of the Year’.
There was a very successful Auction, conducted by Raymond Bready, as well as a ballot of many items. The Northern Region is deeply indebted to all those who provided auction and ballot items. The Bizz, as always, provided excellent music, with revellers taking to the dance floor as soon as the first note of music was sounded. Photographs on the evening were taken by Sporting Images and can be viewed on their website: www.sportingimagesni.com
AWARDS
TROPHIES AWARDED ANNUALLY - 2023 RECIPIENTS
These awards are presented to horses owned and ridden by Northern Region members gaining highest places at Northern Region One-Day events.
EI 120 winner (also receiving the Maddybenny Silver Salver, presented by the White Family):
Minty Imp, owned and ridden by Alex Houston.
EI 115 winner (also the Glenhill Gold Trophy, presented by Declan Cullen):
Chrysanthos, owned and ridden by Rosie Alcorn.
EI 110 winner [also the Hodgkinson Silver Goblet]:
FJK Back to the Future, owned and ridden by Adam Haugh.
EI 100 winner [also the Hodgkinson Rose Bowl]:
Elamo Sugar Candy Kisses, owned and ridden by Adam Haugh.
EI 90 winner [also receiving the Tullymurry Perpetual Trophy, presented by Marian Turley & Family in 2019]:
Water Paint, owned and ridden by Katie McKee.
EI 80 winner – This is the first time this class has been held:
Greylands Diamond Girl, owned by Gary Reid and ridden by Zara Reid.
EI 110 J winner:
Kylestone Carrick Prince, owned by Ros Murphy and ridden by James Murphy.
EI 100 J winner and the Patsy Boal Memorial Trophy, presented by Darryl and Fiona Boal in 2018:
Solitaire Rusty Brown, owned by Johanna Herron and ridden by Rosie Herron.
NR Amateurs’ Trophies:
EI 110 Amateur winner: Springhill Showman, owned and ridden by Nichola Wray.
Nichola has also received the Trophy presented by Jim and Symone Brown for the Overall Eventing Ireland EI 110 Amateur winner.
EI 100 Amateur winner: Ann’s Bob, owned and ridden by Christina Turley.
EI 90 Amateur winner: Twentypark Emperess, owned and ridden by Johanna Herron.
Amateur Trophy - the Bright Outlook Memorial Trophy - to Be Awarded to the Eventing Ireland (Nr) Sportsman of the Year Presented by Richard and Nicky Nesbitt. To be decided by them regardless of Points or League Placings it will be awarded to whoever they deem to be the person who embraces the Amateur’s criteria and ethos. Winner 2023: Rhonda Hall.
EI 110 P winner and the recipient of the Fair Lad Salver, very kindly presented by the McKee Family. It was a very unusual situation this year, as it was shared by two ponies, both of whom had exactly the same points and both had the same number of Top Placings:
Fernhill Mix and Match and Coolnaleen Rebel, both owned by Paul O’Connor and both ridden by Molly O’Connor.
EI 100 P winner (also the ‘Mission Accomplished’ Trophy, kindly donated in 2010 by Elizabeth McMillan):
Duncarbery Cascade, owned by Kim Constable and ridden by Maya Constable.
EI 90 P winner:
Lackaghmore Vandango, owned by Daniel Gilchrist and ridden by Jennifer Gilchrist.
Special Awards
The Silver Fox Trophy - ‘Pony of the Year’, kindly donated in 2011 by the Brown Family. Presented to the NR Registered Pony who has achieved greatest results.
Winner 2023: Coolnaleen Rebel, owned by Paul O’Connor and ridden by Molly O’Connor.
Pescetto Friendship Trophy - Given to the Society by the Friends of Sarah Pescetto and awarded annually to the Most Improved Junior Rider as selected by the High Performance Manager, Dag Albert.
Winner 2023: Anna White.
Juniper Green & Kells Trophy - Given to the Society by Georgia Stubington as a tribute to her two great mares. Presented annually to the ‘Eventing Mare’ gaining best placings at Northern Region Events.
Winner 2023: Twentypark Emperess, owned and ridden by Johanna Herron.
Irwin Trophy - Given to the Society by the Coleraine Branch of Riding for the Disabled in memory of Mr and Mrs Irwin. Presented annually to the ‘owner-bred’ horse gaining best placings at Northern Region Events.
Winner 2023: Tullymurry Grace, owned and bred by the Tullymurry Team, led by Marian Turley and ridden by Elaine O’Connor.
Hanna Trophy - Presented to the Northern Region Rider (over 18 years of age) who accumulates most points throughout the year at Northern Region Events on a single horse. Riders who have competed at Two-Star Level or higher in the current year are not eligible.
Winner 2023: Johanna Herron and Twentypark Emperess.
Leading Rider Trophy - the rider who accumulates most points with his/her horses at Northern Region Events (not including internationals).
Winner 2023: Steven Smith.
Belle Canna Trophy - Horse of the Year; Presented to the NR Horse gaining most NR Points Worldwide.
Winner 2023: Jewelent, owned by Lisa Rosbotham and ridden by Clare Abbott.
The Roy Pugh Memorial Award - a Groom’s Award. Nominations for this award are submitted and winners chosen by Ruth Eyre-Pugh. This year, the award has gone to a young lady who has worked extremely hard and whose efforts made a huge difference and were very much appreciated by the rider.
Winner 2023: Pippa Robinson, Groom for Emily Corbett.
Award for Pony Club Member Gaining Highest Placings.
Winner: Jennifer Gilchrist of East Down with an amazing 38 Points.
Runner Up: Kitty Cullen of Iveagh with 29 Points. Kitty also won the CCIP2* Class at Blair International - what an achievement!
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Representational Honours
European Pony Championship at Le Mans (France) July 24-30, 2023:
Erin Mathieson and Longwood Dawn
Molly O’Connor and Coolnaleen Rebel, who won Team Bronze.
European Senior Eventing Championships at Le Pin Au Haras (France) August 9-13, 2023:
Susie Berry and Clever Trick
Joseph Murphy and Calmaro
World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses at Le Lion D’angers - October 19-22, 2023:
Six-Year-Old:
Strangford, owned by Terry Johnston and ridden by Steven Smith.
Seven-Year-Old:
Drumnaconnell Kobie, owned by Lawrence Patterson and ridden by Clare Abbott.
Loughview Commander, owned and ridden by Suzanne O’Hagan.