SATURDAY, January 31st saw crowds descend upon Corick House Hotel and Spa in Clogher, Co Tyrone, as over 460 pony show jumpers, parents, sponsors, supporters and guests gathered for the much-anticipated ShowJumping Ireland Ulster Region pony awards, celebrating the numerous successes in the region during 2025.
In order to get through the vast array of awards that were up for grabs, the proceedings kicked off at 5pm, with Gareth McCombe, manager of TRI Equestrian NI, presenting awards to a huge number of young athletes for their placings in both the Spring and Autumn Pony Tours, generously sponsored by TRI.
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Prize winners in the Sycamore Junior Spring Challenge received their awards from Elaine Smyth representing Sycamore Horse Farm at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards \ Kyra Griffin
Classes ran from 128 right up to Children on Horses, so there were awards for all ages and stages of rider, with some competitors picking up awards across multiple pony heights.
Elaine Smyth then presented awards on behalf of Sycamore Horse Farms for the Junior Spring and Autumn Challenge competitions, kindly sponsored by the local breeding and show jumping yard.
A very enjoyable meal was then served, followed by awards for both the SJI Ulster Region Young Pony Spring and Autumn Series, presented by SJI National Chairman, Des McFadden.
The awards continued with Stars of the Future, Boomerang Star Finder, Ballinroe Pony Premier, Equijump Pony Spring Tour, National Balmoral Championships, Dublin Horse Show, FEI participation, Home Pony International, National Pony Championships and more!
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Tim Morton was a prolific winner at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards night, including in the 2025 TRI Spring and Autumn Pony Tours and received these awards from Gareth McCombe of TRI Equestrian \ Kyra Griffin
Prolific
While it is not possible to list all the deserving winners here, some of the more prolific winners on the night were Tim Morton, who visited the stage frequently on the night; Harry Kelly and Zac Hanna, who each took home a haul of trophies. Special recognition awards were presented to sisters, Elsie and Lily Tunney, who both represented Ireland at the Europeans. Well done to all!
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Zac Hanna was a regular visitor to the stage at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards night, including in the 2025 TRI Spring and Autumn Pony Tours and received these awards from Gareth McCombe of TRI Equestrian \ Kyra Griffin
A number of riders have come to the end of their careers with ponies and they each received a memento to mark the occasion.
The coveted titles of Show of the Year and Venue of the Year were then announced, with Omagh Show being named Show of the Year and, reinforcing their award at the recent horse awards, Castle Irvine once again received the title of Venue of the Year.
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Venue of the Year went to Castle Irvine, Necarne at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards night \ Kyra Griffin
Auction
Ulster Region Pony chairman, Andrew Thompson was the very able Master of Ceremonies throughout all these awards and, with the assistance of National Pony Representative, Aldyth Roulston, along with Sarah Gibson and a few other very able helpers, kept things moving on throughout the presentations, but Andrew’s job was not yet finished.
He picked up the mic again to take on the role of auctioneer for an incredible 50 Lots, which had been donated by a number of generous supporters of the region. There were a variety of vouchers, tack bundles, hotel stays, hampers, and several lessons with well-known show jumpers and instructors. The top-priced lot of the evening was a lesson with Donal O’Connor, which included a course walk and warm-up at a show. A bidding war began between a couple of interested parties, before a third party placed a phenomenal winning bid of £2,300! The overall amount raised by the auction was a fantastic sum of just over £20,500, which will be used to support the Ulster Region Pony Athletes throughout the year.
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FEI Participation Awards were presented to Johan Fitzpatrick-Burns, Caitlin Kelly, Elsie Tunney and Lily Tunney by SJI Ulster Region president Gerry McCloskey at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards night \ Kyra Griffin
The tables, which ran across the width of the room and had held the many awards earlier in the evening, were re-filled with hundreds of raffle prizes - mainly toys - and the children in attendance were lined up in anticipation of their names being called. Andrew and Aldyth swiftly drew the winning tickets and many children went back to their tables with smiles on their faces.
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The winning line up in the 128 Four/ Five-Year-Old Young Pony Spring Series receiving their awards from Aldyth Roulston at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards \ Kyra Griffin
Thanks
“I would like to thank Andrew Thompson, he did an amazing job on the night; everyone who donated auction items and those who purchased them, they were extremely generous!” said Aldyth Roulston, following a very successful evening.
“I would also like to mention Select Kids Omagh, Magherafelt and Ballymena and, of course, Cameron’s of Ballymena - they were both extremely generous and provided us with absolutely fantastic toys, also to the parents who donated money and prizes for the Children’s Raffle, there was an inordinate amount of toys. Not forgetting Absolute Jewellery and Be Perfect.
“I would like to thank my Events Team, we have some new members this year and they all did an outstanding job, I really couldn’t do it without them,” Aldyth concluded.
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Poppy Coulter won a number of prizes in the 2025 TRI Spring and Autumn Pony Tours and received them from Gareth McCombe of TRI Equestrian at the SJI Ulster Region pony awards \ Kyra Griffin
Some furniture rearranging was required in order to clear the dancefloor and then the disco commenced and continued into the wee small hours.
Sincere thanks are extended by the Ulster Region to all those who most generously sponsored classes throughout the year, particularly TRI, who have supported the region immensely for many years, and Sycamore Horse Farm and to everyone who donated auction lots or contributed to raffle prizes.
Registered pony jumping is due to start again with the TRI Equestrian Spring Tour kicking off at Connell Hill on February 21st.
Best wishes go to all the pony riders and their mounts for a successful 2026.