ILDRA celebrates 2023 season with AGM and Awards Night

Endurance and pleasure riders take home fabulous ribbons and silverware

ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association) celebrated their 2023 endurance season with their AGM and Awards Night on Saturday, February 17 at the Edenmore Golf and Country Club, near Magheralin. The night kicked off with ILDRA’s usual AGM taking place first, discussing the 2023 season and celebrating the continued success of the various events held by ILDRA throughout the year, including the annual St Patrick’s Coast Endurance Ride and the success of the ILDRA members, who travelled over to Wales to take part in the Home Internationals and Celtic Challenge held at Red Dragon, namely Roseanna Andrews, Bree Rutledge and Helen McFarland.

Neil Anderson presenting the Top Man Award to John Anderson. John also won the Richard York Memorial Trophy on the night and received mileage awards at the ILDRA AGM and Awards Night.

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The AGM also heard a very “lively” speech, given by the outgoing Ulster Branch Chairman, Neil Anderson (with some AI help) making for some excellent entertainment. The new chair of Ulster Branch was voted in as Ros Morcombe, congratulations go to Ros on her new position within ILDRA.

Some of the wonderful trophies and rosettes to be won at the ILDRA awards night.

Following the conclusion of the AGM, a wonderful talk was given by ILDRA member Charlotte Moore on her “Mongolia Madness”, discussing when she took part in a 700km Gobi Gallop ride last year, in order to raise vital funds for the Velloo Foundation, which helps provide children with an education in Mongolia. ILDRA are hopeful that Charlotte will entertain everyone again, with another talk and show the wonderful photographs and tales from her experience of taking part in the Gobi Gallop.

The final part of the night is the most anticipated, following a lovely meal, the annual presentation of mileage awards and ILDRA trophies takes place. Congratulations go to all horses and riders bagging themselves an award and many thanks go to Kirsten Conly for her hard work in organising all of the trophies and rosettes.

ILDRA Awards 2023

Bint Eastern Zapphire Trophy Arab Championship - Arab Horse (registered on the register of the Arab Horse Society as a pure-bred Arab) with the highest mileage in CTRs and ERs:

Chalima de Gueyte

Open Championship - Gold Horse and rider combination achieving highest competitive mileage (excluding ERs):

Helen McFarland and Chalima de Gueyte

Neil Anderson presenting the Open Championship Trophy to Helen McFarland and ‘Chalima de Gueyte’. Helen had a very successful evening at the ILDRA AGM and Awards Night.

Top Man - (rider over 18) for the highest mileage, on any horse (CTR & PR):

John Anderson

Novice Championship - Horse and rider combination (both not Silver qualified and not in their first competitive year) with the highest mileage in CTRs. Silver qualifiers do not count towards this trophy:

Bree Rutledge and Clovermount Rhinestone

Veteran Championship - Rider (aged 50 years or over on Jan 1st) and horse combination with the highest mileage in CTRs:

Helen McFarland and Chalima de Gueyte

Richard York Memorial Trophy - For the highest pleasure mileage on any horse (rider 50 or over on Jan 1st):

John Anderson

York Trophy - Awarded to the Horse and Rider combination achieving the highest CTR mileage in their first competitive season:

Sarah Morcombe and In our Blood (Bertie)

Hussar Pleasure Trophy - Horse and rider combination competing the highest pleasure mileage:

Emma Hayes and Almaz’ Asham

Enterprise Trophy (Mare Trophy) - Registered mare with the highest mileage in CTRs and ERs:

Chalima de Gueyte

Gemini Trophy - For the horse who has been taking part in CTRs the longest and is still doing so. The trophy can be re-applied for after three years from winning:

Chalima de Gueyte

Fairview Gypsy Gold Trophy - Awarded to the Veteran horse 16 years and over with the highest mileage in Pleasure rides and CTRs:

Clovermount Rhinestone

Neil Anderson presenting the Fairview Gypsy Gold Trophy (painting) to Bree Rutledge for her horse, ‘Clovermount Rhinestone’ at the ILDRA AGM and Awards Night.

Mileage Awards 2023

Almaz’ Asham - 100 mile Pleasure Ride

Chalima de Gueyte - Gold Shamrock, 500 mile CTR

Coco - 200 mile Pleasure Ride

Ian Milford - 500 mile Pleasure Ride

Bree Rutledge and Clovermount Rhinestone - 250 mile CTR, 400 mile Pleasure Ride

Ruth Lyness and Autumn Whisper - 700 mile Pleasure Ride

John Anderson and Area Access - 1750 mile Pleasure Ride, 100 mile Pleasure Ride, 200 mile Pleasure Ride

Charlotte Moore - 500 mile Pleasure Ride

Roseanna Andrews - 750 mile CTR, 400 mile Pleasure Ride

Sarah Morcombe and In Our Blood Bertie - 200 mile Pleasure Ride

Neil Anderson presenting Charlotte Moore with her 500 Pleasure Miles Distance Award at the ILDRA AGM and Awards Night.