DRESSAGE Ireland held their annual general meeting last Thursday week, November 27th, at the Clayton Dublin Airport Hotel.

There was an excellent turnout on the night with members filling the room, which required additional chairs to be put out on the floor. It was particularly pleasing to see so many youth members in attendance.

Richard Twomey of Richard Ensor and Co chartered accountants opened the meeting by summarising the financial statements, after which Chairperson Mark Ruddock gave his report on what had been a very busy and successful year for Dressage Ireland.

He then went on to outline plans for 2026, which include seven training camps across the length and breadth of the country and a five-day National Championship Festival at Castle Irvine, Necarne in mid-August, the basic details of which can be found under ‘News’ on the DI website.

There will be a restructuring of sub-committees to aid in the smooth running of all the new events which have been added to the calendar. The aims for national and international competition throughout 2026 were also covered.

Mark moved on to thank Petra Larkin for her service to the Board of Dressage Ireland, as her six-year term had come to a close, and to introduce the Board members standing for re-election and the new candidates to those at the AGM. While the votes for the new Board members were being counted, attendees were treated to an informative talk, via video link, from Ronan Murphy, FEI Director for Dressage.

The final vote decided that Aisling Deverell was re-elected onto the Board and new members, Aisling Jordan and Bethany Mackey, were voted on.

With thanks to sponsors Treo Eile, Stephen Hewitt and the late Ivor Harper, the evening came to a close with the presentation of the annual awards.

Dressage Ireland annual awards

Presented at the 2025 AGM:

Regional volunteers of the year - Phoebe Bright (South Munster), Zara Bolger (Leinster), Tara Dalton (North Munster), Lisa Dundee (Northern), Amy Jo Peskens (South East), Liz White (Midland and Western) and Peter Roberts (Eastern).

Youth Home Nations’ squad - Ellen Mooney, Darragh Whyte, Maura Moore-McCune, Sinead O’Regan, Abbey Ferris, Ella Kidd, Olivia Linnane, Lucy Ferris, Cael Shanahan, Oisin Phelan, Clodagh O’Toole, Niamh Winter, Pippa Dunne, Kate Moore, Sophie Cathcart, Tallula Hughes, Alex Potter and Amelia Wheeler.

Senior Home Nations’ squad - Hannah Gordon, Mairead Dolan, Ana Hughes, Emma Dair, Georgia Cadogan, Lorna O’Hare, Collette Ward, Caroline Lynch, Katie Nolan, Aoife Brady, Barbara Delahoyde and Elaine Murphy.

International competitors - Millie Cosgrave, Cadhla Curran, Mai Monaghan, Kate Murphy, Maeve Deverell, Evie Kennedy, Naoise Ward, James Connor, Jennifer Harnett, Sorrell Klatzko, Carolyn Mellor, Sarah Mellor, Dane Rawlins, Tara Hayes, Roisin Henry and Sinead McGrath.

Harper Hewitt memorial trophy - Karen Burke (Secret Desire).

Treo Eile thoroughbred awards - Preliminary, Linkenholt (IRE) (Aoife Brady), 13yo ch g by Robin Des Champs - Honest Chance, by Trempolino, bd P. Travers; Novice, Arvika Ligeonniere (FR), 20yo b g by Arvico - Daraka, by Akarad, bd Yves Lepage; Elementary, Renneti (FR), 16yo b g by Irish Wells - Caprice Meill, by French Glory, bd Pierre Julienne and Etienne Leenders; Medium, Khwarizmi (USA), 10yo b g by Algorithms - Silk Sails, by Ocean Crest, bd Lantern Hill Farm.