STAR OF THE MONTH AWARDS: Rewarding excellence in an extraordinary year 06 April 2021 Premium

WHAT a challenging year 2020 proved for everyone but helping to provide top class sport as well as entertainment and crucially, hope, were all the vibrant winners of the The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month Awards for 2020.

When sport was stalled due to the pandemic, individuals got creative and the equestrian industry pulled together. That collaboration, kindness, and compassion is reflected in this year’s wide variety of winners, from those who raised money for vital organisations to brilliant Grand Prix winners in all disciplines.

“Many congratulations to all our very worthy monthly winners and thank you to the public who voted for each of them,” said editor of Irish Horse World, Isabel Hurley. “Not withstanding the global pandemic, international equestrian sport remained one of the most intense, competitive sports to be in, such is the ever increasing standard of rider and horse combinations. This year, as reflected in the increased variety of award winners, recipients also displayed the crucial qualities of courage, kindness, and compassion which are so important in these extraordinary times.

Hurley added: “Every win on the international equestrian stage is very hard fought for and this year’s overall Star of the Year deservedly goes to Kilkenny’s young show jumping rider Jack Ryan. A wonderful ambassador for the sport of show jumping, we are delighted, in partnership with Gain Equine Nutrition, to recognise his achievements on the international stage and wish him, along with all our winners, continued success, safety, and happiness in their chosen field.”

Star of the Year

Nineteen-year-old Jack Ryan burst onto the international scene in 2020 with multiple big victories in the United Arab Emirates, and continued that form throughout the year.

After starting the 2021 season in the UAE, Ryan flew home to Kilkenny and after completing his self-isolation period, The Irish Field and Gain Equine Nutrition team visited him at his yard near Inistioge, before he returns to Hickstead tomorrow (Sunday), where he rides for Irishman Shane Breen.

Humbled by the surprise award, Ryan said: “I was very surprised actually with some of the names that I was up against, the standard was very very high. To have won two Star of the Month awards is great, and then to win Star of the Year, I am very grateful for it.”

Speaking about the year 2020, he said: “2020 was a fantastic year, I was very lucky to have the opportunities I had with Shane Breen at Breen Equestrian. It started off fantastically in the UAE, and I have to say thank you to Team Z7 for that opportunity. I was lucky with the horses that I had, they were very very good.”

Asked to pick a horse that stood out last year, he mentioned Ann Marie Fagan’s Essenar High Hopes. Among their top results was a three-star win at the Nations Cup show in Drammen. “Every time he went out, he was consistent. Every show he was at, he was placed, he was fantastic. I am very thankful to Ann Marie Fagan for giving me the opportunity to ride such a good horse.”

Jack wasn’t sure at first if he would pursue horses, and at one stage he wanted to be a jockey – “I was turned against that” – but after beginning to ride horses aged 11, he got the bug and stuck at it before moving to Shane Breen’s Hickstead base after completing his Leaving Certificate.

Topping of 2020, he was selected for the Rolex Young Rider Academy. “It was an excellent way to top of 2020 by being selected. It’s amazing, I am very grateful to be part of that. I’ve been selected to go to Marco Kutscher for six months overall. Hopefully this year we will be able go for a few weeks.”

Wonderful opportunity

Joanne Hurley, Irish Country Equine Manager at Gain Equine Nutrition, said: “Gain Equine Nutrition is delighted to be presenting the Star of the Month award winners for 2020 in conjunction with The Irish Field. These awards have been running for the last 10 years and it is a wonderful opportunity for Gain Equine Nutrition to acknowledge the achievements of the many talented individuals competing in the sport horse sector both at home and on a global stage.

“2020 was a particularly challenging year for all in the equine industry with many shows and competitions cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this was also a time for many within our industry to shine and this year our awards represent some of the unsung heroes of our sport in addition to those who have achieved tremendous competitive success.

“Congratulations to all of our winners in the 2020 Star of the Month awards, each and every one of you should be very proud of your achievements. A special congratulatory message must go to our overall Star of the Year winner, Kilkenny show jumper, Jack Ryan, on his incredible successes and phenomenal results in the Middle East in 2020 and continuing on throughout the beginning of this year.

“The team at Gain Equine Nutrition is looking forward to more remarkable achievements again this year from the sport horse sector,” she concluded.

STAR OF THE MONTH WINNERS 2020

January – Rhys Williams