ONE can get bogged down in statistics, but they make for interesting reading at times. No more so than this season as, thanks to Eventing Ireland and partners EquiRatings, we learned that Steven Smith topped every table based on national and international results in Ireland this year.

A member of the Northern Region, Smith had the advantage of being able to plan his 2025 campaign from the outset. He had 95 starts compared to the 65 of his nearest rival, John Tilley, who also finished second regarding cross-country jumping clears (81 to 56), cross-country clears inside the time (54 to 38) and the number of finishes on dressage scores (38 to 22).

Amanda Goldsbury placed second to Smith when it came to wins (23 to 14) and the number of show jumping clears (59 to 37); Britain’s Henry Davis, who won the CNC1* section of the Pony Club Nations Cup at Ballindenisk on his only start in this country, shared the runner-up spot with Tegan White-McMorrow in the lowest dressage PB table (14.3 to 16.3) with the latter finishing second to Smith in the lowest finishing PB table (14.3 to 16.3) as well.

Also a member of the Northern Region, Maya Constable had an excellent season, which included wins in the Traditional Irish Horse and Junior EI100 leagues on Urneypark Big Cat and in the EI100 Pony league with Rockon Pedro. Another Northern Region rider who was in action from day one of the season, Katie McKee, recorded an amateur league double with Summit (EI100) and Water Paint (EI90).