Eastern Region

“WE kicked off the 2020 season on January 11th with a very successful show at our usual venue of Marlton which attracted great entries for the time of year,” reported regional secretary, Katriona Hall. “Little did we know then what difficulties were to lie ahead for all.

“We ran the next show on February 22nd and this proved to be the last until July 25th. Under strict Covid-19 regulations, we ran two more shows in August but, as Covid numbers rose again and further restrictions were put in place, we made the difficult decision to cancel all other shows for the remainder of the year.

“However, during 2020 we continued to run several training days with Kate Dwyer which proved some consolation for our members who missed getting out to compete. Let’s hope next year is better for everyone.”

Leinster Region

“IN 2019, we ran 16 shows but, because of Covid-19, that number was slashed to just six this year,” said Clare Fitzsimons, chair of a region with approximately 190 members.

“We have always put an emphasis on training and, despite losing some days to the restrictions, we still managed to run six sessions divided equally between two clinics with Judy Reynolds in February, two Try Out Dressage days in November and two Train And Test clinics in December. These clinics are subsidised by the profits from our shows.

“A first for the Region was the thee-day Botanica Dressage In the City Show over the August Bank Holiday weekend which was so well-received that it will become a regular feature on our schedule. It’s great to see the rising interest in dressage and hopefully this will continue into the future.”

Midland and Western Region

“THE year started off well with shows in Ower and Annaharvey and the welcome sponsorship of our region by David Keane of DK Connemara Oysters,” reported regional chair, Carmel Curran. “This sponsorship added a big boost to our winter finals in Ballinasloe in March which were held just before the first lockdown.

“We held four more shows and two training days – one for our adult riders with Kate Dwyer and another for our younger riders with Anne Marie Dunphy. Both were over-subscribed and although there was lots of interest for additional training, this did not happen due to Covid restrictions.

“All going well, there is plenty in the pipeline for 2021 between shows, training days and a regional young league sponsored by DK Connemara Oysters. We are also having a Try Dressage Day with Anne Marie Dunphy on January 4th.”

North Munster Region

“IN February we ran a training weekend with Judy Reynolds which was very well received,” reported regional treasurer, Tess Walsh. “All who took part asked when Judy would be back again.

“We ran a training day with Kate Dwyer for young riders who wouldn’t usually take part in dressage. We had members of the Co Limerick and Clare Pony Club Branches plus others who wanted to get the most out of their mounts.

Kate worked excellently with them and will be back in January to work with the adults.

“The few shows we ran under Covid-19 best practice guidelines were well attended, as was the leg of the Horse Sport Ireland developmental league. While it was a difficult year, we were delighted how co-operative and understanding our members were and how much they worked with us to remain Covid-19 compliant.”

Northern Region

“GIVEN all the restrictions, it’s probably not surprising that our membership was really down this year and that our show entries were cut in half,” regional public relations officer Louise Ferguson told The Irish Field.

“However, we managed to hold 10 shows and a two-day Festival at Portmore at the end of August which, given the circumstances, was amazing. Pammy Hutton was over twice for regional training and we also had a visit from Paul Fielder at the start of the year.

“As we get a grant from Dressage Ireland for such training, only members could attend these clinics.

“While the day was organised by DI, we were delighted that a leg of the Horse Sport Ireland autumn development series was held in the Northern Region, at Portmore, where our members won all but one of the Graded qualifying classes.”

South East Region

“WE had shows in January and February before Covid-19 restrictions halted our gallop,” revealed regional chair, Mary Cox.

“At Raheen-Na-Gun in July, we held a warm-up show for our two-day Classic which was moved to September in Spruce Lodge. We were really pleased that this was so well-supported and we worked with Irish Judges as, obviously, it was impossible to bring in judges from overseas this year.

“Training days went ahead, when allowed, and we staged both adult training with Anne Marie Dunphy and youth development training with Anne Marie and Jillie Rogers.

“We are delighted with our youth development programme as we have had riders progress to European pony championships teams.

“The highlight was our recent Webinar ‘Better Riding – The Influence of the Rider’s Position’ with Christoph Hess. This was ‘attended’ by riders, coaches and judges from both Ireland and England.”

South Munster Region

“THIS year started like any other with a show in January but at a new venue for us, Sceilig Sport Horse Centre,” reported regional chair Angela Lyons.

“While Covid then meant that we couldn’t have shows, throughout the summer we stepped up training, staging regular clinics with Anne Marie Dunphy and Mark Ruddock to keep riders motivated. We also had our first regional day camp with List 2 judge Marie Hennessey and biomechanics expert Liz Frayling.

“When our show schedule got back on track in late summer we had two at Sceilig and a very well-attended show at Skevanish before lockdown part two struck.

“We then thought outside the box and organised webinars with top speakers like List 1 UK judge Leanne Wall, British Grand Prix rider Daniel Watson, music maestro and Freestyle expert Gaynor Colburn and sports psychologist Charlie Unwin.”