THE 2025 Dressage Ireland judges’ gala, which was held at Ballyrogan Stud last Saturday, was sold out in mid-October as members were keen to learn from one of the most forward-thinking judges in Britain and on the international circuit, Richard Baldwin.

All were first welcomed to the morning’s theory session by Bernie Foley, chair of DI’s judges’ committee and certificates were presented to those judges who had upgraded in the previous 12 months. She then called for a minute’s silence in memory of Jacki Doherty, who had died the previous Tuesday, and all other former members who too died during the year.

Having gone through the day’s timetable, Foley then introduced Baldwin who kept those in attendance completely absorbed throughout the day. In awarding marks, he stressed the quality of paces, the quality of way of going with further observations resulting in rewards or deductions.

“Richard was probably the best presenter we’ve ever had,” commented Foley, who was keen to acknowledge the help she and the committee received from Ballyrogan Stud’s owner Susanne Press and manager Karen Samuel. “It was great to see John Lyttle, Marie Hennessy, Joan Ahern, Faith Ponsonby and Joanne Jarden, our international eventing judges, at the gala.”

Foley also thanked the riders who brought their horses for the afternoon’s practical session - Joanne Logue (Little Lottie), Anne Marie Dunphy (Pedigree OK), Tara Hayes (Sandora BS), Gilly Crawford (Majestic Heartbreaker), Josephine Delahoyde (Barroso) and Casandra Morris (Lots Of Many).

“Richard Baldwin was very educational and very clear in his delivery of the course,” commented DI chairman, Mark Ruddock.

“Thanks to everyone involved in the organisation and the riders who were very supportive of the day.”

David Lee, another of DI’s international eventing judges, was doubly missed on Saturday as, on holiday in the sun, he couldn’t attend the gala nor the Eventing Ireland Northern Region awards ball in the evening. He will surely be back in time for DI’s AGM which will be held on Thursday, November 27th in the Clayton Dublin Airport Hotel with a start time of 7pm.