OVER 130 riding club members, family supporters and friends attended the annual North East Region awards ball on Friday, November 22nd in the D Hotel, Drogheda.
The ball was organised by Cheval secretary, Maria Carrick, and Sarah Richardson, who holds the same position with Boyneside and was on the inaugural ball committee in 2007. They were delighted to welcome members of Ard Lu, Ashbrook, Border Counties, Boyneside, Castle Hill, Cheval, Drynam, Killossery, Kilronan and Killeek to the Co Louth hotel.
Partygoers started arriving early in the day with all meeting up at 6.30pm for a drinks reception, with prosecco and mulled wine on offer to get them into festive humour and warmed up for a great night.
Following dinner, the presentation of spot prizes and the usual well-supported raffle, it was time for the awards ceremony where Castle Hill’s Lindsey Ilona Brady, the outgoing regional secretary and new chairman, was presented with the Person of the Year award.
Lindsey and new regional secretary, Boyneside’s Jane Richardson, reported on how the year had gone for the NER and thanked all the clubs, members and, of course, the regional committee, for their hard work throughout the past 12 months.
The duo paid tribute to Drynam, winners of the Connolly’s Red Mills national dressage team championship, to Border Counties who represented the NER, and the AIRC, at the World Cup tournament in France, and to Ard Lu who competed for the region in the Horseware/AIRC team jumping championship at the Dublin Horse Show.
The final task for Lindsey and Jane on the night was to present thank you gifts to the ball organisers, Maria and Sarah.
The entertainment this year was provided by the band Rubber Duck featuring Shane O’Neill, the local postman in Ratoath who is well-known to those who visit the bar marquee at Tattersalls International Horse Trials. When they had finished, dancing continued with DJ Matty.
Person of the year – Lindsey Ilona Brady, Castle Hill
Club member of the year – Jane Gallagher, Kilronan
Primary rider of the year – Siobhan Walsh, Drynam
Club of the year – Kilronan
Horse of the year – Indian Mist (Louise Somers, Kilronan)
Show of the year – Kilronan Derby Day
Club secretary of the year – Gemma Kelly, Border Counties
Show jumping awards
Primary – Sarah Lester, Border Counties
Advanced Primary – Olivia Nolan, Castle Hill
Intermediate – Pamela Moffett, Mullaghmore
Advanced Intermediate – Fintan Sullivan, Boyneside
Open – Carol Smillie, Drynam
Dressage awards
Primary – Siobhan Walsh, Drynam
Advanced Primary – Paula Dowling, Drynam
Intermediate – Margaret Brannigan, Ashbrook
Advanced Intermediate – Lindsey Ilona Brady, Castle Hill
Open – Louise Somers, Kilronan
Advanced Open – Bernie Foley, Cheval