THE Munster Region of Eventing Ireland held their 2025 awards party last Saturday night in the Aherlow House Hotel, a new venue for the function which, itself, had a bit of a makeover.

“We had our 2024 awards ball back in March, but I wanted us to celebrate our winners at the end of each season and not wait until the following year, and so, to get things back in sync, we went for this option,” revealed regional chair and secretary, Melanie Purcell.

“The venue worked well and we were looked after very well. While it wasn’t a black-tie affair, there was still plenty of fashion on display and the guys didn’t have to hire dress suits. We had partygoers from the age of 11 up to the late 70s, with pony riders’ younger siblings and grannies all mixing together.

“We decided not to have an auction this year, as you always end up hitting the same people, but we bought some really good prizes for a raffle and the tickets sold really well. The Fells are great supporters of the region and they gave us a €300 schooling voucher for Ballindenisk while Boomerang (Horse and Country Store) gave a pair of Kentucky cross-country boots and a voucher.

Mel Purcell presenting to Sian Coleman - leading El115 Senior Rider at the Munster Region of Eventing Ireland awards party \ Justin Black/Horse Sport Images

“There were many members of the McCarthy family present with Padraig’s nephew Jonah accepting an outstanding performance award on his behalf. It was great to see Sian Coleman, one of our senior award-winning riders, at the party along with her husband Patrick. Bill Maguire supplied the music, Justin Black did the photographs and quite a few people stayed overnight in the hotel so their party went on even longer.

Young guns

“I’d like to thank everyone who came to the awards party and all those who supported it in different ways. There are a lot of young guns coming through and it’s important that we run functions like this for them and to support our sport, which is changing all the time, into the future.”

International debutants Beth Coveney, David Nyhan, Lucy O’Connor and Samantha Hickey \ Justin Black Horse Sport Images

A list of the regional award winners appears below but we must single out four other individuals for their achievements.

Not too surprisingly, one of these is England-based Austin O’Connor who received a special tribute for his outstanding CCI5*-L results this year on his and The Salty Syndicate’s Colorado Blue, the pair finishing third at Badminton in May and second at Burghley in September.

O’Connor’s award was accepted by his mother Liz who, herself, was the winner of the volunteer award medal which was engraved with ‘In recognition of your unwavering support’ while Millstreet farrier Nicholas Pomeroy was crowned leading owner, mainly thanks to the efforts of his Michael Ryan-ridden Claragh Mountain.

Aoife McSweeney was the recipient of the Bill Powell ‘Free Spirit’ award. “This is given to the person we feel has gone above and beyond for eventing over the years, showing commitment to the sport,” revealed Purcell. “Aoife has worked tirelessly organising training across our region bringing in top coaches. She is a fountain of knowledge having been involved in the sport for years.”

Allan and Aoife McSweeney with children Madeline and Annalise \ Justin Black Horse Sport Images

While she didn’t like to harp on about it on the night, Purcell did mention the regional AGM which takes place next Wednesday, November 12th, in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown with a start time of 8pm.

Award winners:

Leading riders on the national circuit:

Senior riders – EI120, Michael Ryan; EI115, Sian Coleman; EI110, Sian Coleman.

Young Riders – EI115, Rebecca Coughlan; EI110, Kate O’Donovan.

Junior riders - EI110, Kate A. Walsh; EI100, Niamh Verkade. Pony riders - EI110, Hannah Goold, EI100, Samantha Hickey; EI90, Laura Coonan.

Amateur riders – EI110, Ciara O’Keeffe; EI100, Karen Blakely Palmer; EI90, Marlieze Krielaart.

Excellence awards for most wins on the national circuit:

Senior rider, Robbie Kearns. Pony rider, Hannah Goold.

National championships awards:

Senior riders – EI80, Sharon Power (fifth).

Junior riders – EI110, Isobel Fitzpatrick (second); EI100, Sophie Swain (first), Abigail Kenny (second) and Samantha Hickey (fifth).

Pony riders – EI100, Molly Egan (third), Lillymai Walsh (fourth) and Samantha Hickey (fifth); EI90, Brooke Kenny (first) and Laura Coonan (fourth).

Amateur riders – EI100, Noelle Reidy (fourth); EI90, Marlieze Krielaart (first). Grassroots – EI100, Matilda Ormond (second).

Most successful riders at internationals at home and abroad:

Senior rider, Daniel Alderson. Young Rider, Momo Sheehy. Junior rider, Ali Fitzpatrick. Pony rider, Niamh Verkade.

Outstanding performances at European championships:

Senior riders, Padraig McCarthy and Robbie Kearns. Young Rider, Momo Sheehy. Junior riders, Ali Fitzpatrick and Gearoid Bolger. Pony rider, Sophie Swain.

First international achievement awards: Beth Coveney, Maeve Flynn, Samantha Hickey, David Nyhan and Lucy O’Connor.