IT was a family affair at the Eventing Ireland Western Region New Year’s Eve Ball in conjunction with the East Galway Hunt, with two members of the Gibbons family taking home awards. The glamourous event was held at the Meadow Court Hotel, Clostoken, Loughrea and a great night was had by all.

Winning the Pony Rider award for 2025 was Rory Connaughton, while Katie Gibbons took the Junior Rider equivalent. Not to be outdone, brother Godfrey won the Young Rider award. The Senior Rider award went to Padraig Flanagan and the Amateur Rider one to Chloe Hester.

Awards were also given out on the night to the breeders of the winning horses and ponies from the Bert’s Properties Starter Series 2025. The breeder of Milchem Giovanni, winner of the Sligo Candy Boy four-year-old division, was Ralph Conroy.

The breeder of Shannondale Zeus, winner of the Derryronane Stud five-year-old division, was Shannondale Stud. The Drumhowan Stud six/ seven-year-old division was won by CBI Supremacy, bred by CBI Carroll Brothers and the Milchem Equestrian Centre Ponies’ division was won by Spot The Pebbles, bred by Laura Geraghty.

The Western Region are starting early this year as a participant in the new Plusvital Spring Series, with their first combined training show being held tomorrow in Milchem Equestrian Centre. Milchem is also hosting legs of the league on January 25th and February 1st, 8th and 15th. Web-only members of Eventing Ireland can enter this series with no membership fee required, only a sign-up.

In other welcome news to event riders in the west, there are also two scheduled one-day events for the region, with Flowerhill hosting on May 17th and June 21st.