THE Northern Region of Eventing Ireland held its awards ball last Friday night at the La Mon Hotel and Country Club and while much has changed since Covid, the one constant is that Steven Smith was yet again crowned leading rider.

Tessa Westbrook’s Dutch Warmblood gelding Lavori gave the Gilford rider his first success of the season when, on his second start of the campaign, he landed the EI110 at Lightsource BP Tyrella (2) on Saturday, April 2nd.

The I’m Special de Muze gelding won a similar competition as the Tyrella season came to an end on April 23rd and the six-year-old filled the runner-up position in Open EI110 company on his other two starts at Hazeldene and Glenpatrick.

Among other winners for Smith this year were his own nine-year-old Pacino gelding Lisbane Top Gear, his eight-year-old OBOS Quality 004 gelding MMF Churchill (winner of the regional EI110 award), the 10-year-old September Storm gelding Handsome Starr, who gave Virginia Maguire a fourth success in the owner/breeder category, and Terry Johnston’s 14-year-old Porsch gelding Hi Happy Harry.

Another 2022 winner for Smith was Caroline Overend and Carla Leitch’s CJO Kann Surprise who, on his only start under rules, landed an EI100 at Loughanmore in early August. Later that month, Smith partnered the Kannan gelding to win his five-year-old young event horse class at the Dublin Horse Show.

Excellent season

A younger rider who left the Castlereagh hotel well laden down with trophies was Rachael Broome who had an excellent season on her mother Pauline’s Natures Blossom, winner of the Juniper Green & Kells trophy as leading mare and a regional rug and the Patsy Boal memorial trophy thanks to her exploits at EI100 J level. The nine-year-old Fruits Of Love mare also won the Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders bursary as the highest-placed thoroughbred at NR events.

The organisers paid tribute to the members of Irish teams at the underage European championships who achieved such great results this year and they were delighted that Co Kildare’s Ben Connors, winner of pony team gold and individual silver meals, travelled up for the awards ball. Also present were Junior team members, Julia Adams and Tom Rowlatt-McCormick.

Special mention was made of England-based Co Down native Susie Berry who was a member of the Irish senior team who secured Olympic qualification when finishing fifth at the world eventing championships held at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy in September.

On an occasion which brings competitors, owners, event organisers and landowners together socially, there was a well-supported auction on which people could bid remotely while The Bizz provided the night’s musical entertainment.

Northern Region 2022 award winners

Juniper Green & Kells trophy, which was given to the Society by Georgia Stubington as a tribute to her two great mares, is presented to the mare gaining best placings at Northern Region events. This season it was won by Pauline Broome’s nine-year-old thoroughbred Natures Blossom who is ridden by the owner’s daughter, Rachael.

Irwin trophy, which was given to the Society by the Coleraine Branch of Riding for the Disabled in memory of Mr and Mrs Irwin, is presented to the owner-bred horse gaining best placings at NR events. This year, for the fourth successive season, it was won by the September Storm gelding Handsome Starr who is ridden for owner-breeder Virginia Maguire by Steven Smith.

Bright Outlook trophy, presented by Richard and Nicky Nesbitt to the person decided by them irrespective of points or league placings who best embraces the amateur criteria and ethos. This year’s winner is Philip Swann.

Silver Fox trophy, donated by the Brown family and presented to the NR-registered pony who has achieved the greatest results. The 2002 winner is Hilary Mathieson’s Longwood Dawn (Erin Mathieson).

Pescetto Friendship trophy, given to the Society by friends of Sarah Pescetto and presented to the most improved Junior rider as selected by the high performance manager. This year’s winner is Tom Rowlatt-McCormick.

Hanna trophy, presented to the NR rider (over 18) who accumulates most points throughout the season at NR events on a single horse. Riders who have competed at two-star level or above in current year are not eligible. The 2022 winner is Elaine O’Connor for her achievements on Helen Fletcher’s Sir Barnabus.

Leading rider trophy, presented to the rider who accumulates most points with his/her horses at NR events. The winner yet again is Steven Smith.

Belle Canna trophy, for horse of the year is presented to the NR horse gaining most points worldwide. This year it was won by DHI No Fear who is ridden for owner Sarah Riley by Clare Abbott.

Down Royal Corporation of Horse Breeders bursary,presented to the highest-placed thoroughbred in NR events. The 2022 winner was Natures Blossom who is ridden for owner Pauline Broome by her daughter Rachael.

Roy-Pugh memorial groom’s award, as chosen by Ruth Eyre-Pugh from written submissions. This year’s winner, who was nominated by two separate people, is Abbie Connor who grooms for David O’Connor.

Pony Club member award, is presented to the Pony Club member gaining the highest placings. This year’s winner is the East Down Branch’s Abbie Cummiskey.

Rugs, presented to horses/ponies registered in the NR with highest placings at NR one-day events: EI120 (plus Maddybenny salver presented by the White family), Tara Dixon’s owner-ridden Master Smart; EI115 (also Glenhill Gold trophy presented by Declan Cullen), Adam Haugh’s owner-ridden Carsonstown Cruise; EI110 (also Hodgkinson silver goblet), Steven Smith’s owner-ridden MMF Churchill; EI100 (also Hodgkinson rose bowl), Helen Fletcher’s Sir Barnabus, ridden by Elaine O’Connor; EI90 (also Tullymurry trophy presented by Marian Turley and family), David O’Connor’s owner-ridden Tullymurry Katie.

Also, EI110 J, Lisa White’s Kilcoltrim Dora (Anna White); EI100 J (plus Patsy Boal memorial trophy presented by Darryl and Fiona Boal), Pauline Broome’s Natures Blossom (Rachael Broome); EI110 P (plus Fair Lad salver presented by the McKee family), Hilary Mathieson’s Longwood Dawn (Erin Mathieson); EI100 P (plus Mission Accomplished trophy presented by Elizabeth McMillan), Donna O’Hare’s Greylands Diamond Girl (Alex O’Hare); EI90 P, Daniel Gilchrist’s Mighty Max (Sarah Gilchrist).

Also (with trophies), EI110 Amateur, Denis Currie’s owner-ridden Arodstown Aramis; EI100 Amateur, Christina Turley’s owner-ridden Ann’s Bob; EI90 Amateur, Suzanne Maguire’s owner-ridden Monlough Meteor.