THE SJI Ulster Region were out in style last week as members celebrated their annual awards evening at Corick House in Co Tyrone.
Opening the evening, master of ceremonies John Chambers welcomed all those who gathered to celebrate the success of 2016 and thanked all those behind the scenes and also for the hard work in organising the awards night.
The first awards of the evening was presented to those who qualified for the 2016 Dublin Horse Show. Special awards were awarded to Jonathan Smyth, who won the first final qualifying competition at the show aboard Charlton Clio. Also recognised for his achievement as the RDS six-year-old champions was Peter Smyth who took the title with Kathryn and John O’Hagan’s mare CHS Krooze.
Junior and Young Rider Awards were also presented. Jonathan Smyth picked up another award here as he was recognised for his successes during the year in the Young Rider categories, both at home and abroad. For his exemplary achievements on the international scene, the Ronan McLaughlin Equestrian Cup for Junior Rookie of the Year was presented to Gavin Harley. Harley showed particularly good form throughout the year with wins in Olivia, Valencia, at one and two-star levels, as well as wins at CSIOY, Opglabbeek and placings in Lier Young Rider one-star show.
Accepting the Capital Reinforcing Ltd Cup and the WR Adrain and Sons Cup was Olivia Roulston who took both the 1.10m and 1.20m titles at the Ulster Region Pony and Young Rider Championships in August. Taking home the Eamonn Rice Bloodstock Cup for 1.30m Young Rider was Hannah Patterson.
Following a revamp by the 2016 Amateur committee, the Amateur Points Cups were decided during the year at league shows throughout the region. Competition for the AA Cup was hard fought and in the end it was Alex Bailey who took the title. Margaret Fullerton followed closely behind in second, while Dean Cotton took third. Joe Harris lifted the A Cup in style with a commanding lead over the rest of the field. Runners-up were Anthea Moffet and Taryn McClurkin.
Presenting awards for the 2016 TRI Equestrian NI Summer Tour, which incorporated the Ulster Region Development League was Gareth McCombe (General Manager, TRI Equestrian NI). Winner of the 1m Tour, Justine O’Hara, was awarded the Meadows Equestrian Cup, while Emma Jackson took the 1.10m and 1.20m TRI Equestrian Summer Tour cups. For his achievement in winning the 1.35m Summer Grand Prix Tour, Jordan Coyle was presented with the Mulvin Stables Cup, while the highest placed Young Rider was Jonathan Smyth.
ACHIEVEMENTS
There was a host of national awards, starting with the Gain/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix series, where the Eglinton Equestrian Club Cup was awarded to Kenneth Graham for his performance in the league. Emma Jackson collected the Maddybenny Cup for the 1.20 Gain/Alltech series. The Golden Gay Cup was then presented to Jordan Coyle for his placings in the Red Mills/Connelly Spring Tour.
Presented with the Sparkling Stud Cup was Lynn Russell for the award for highest placed Ulster Region member in the Bucas National Ladies League. Sharing the Mountcastle Farm’s Perpetual Cup was Jenny Rankin and Jordan Coyle for their results in the Premier Grand Prix league. In the National Grand Prix, Emily Turkington received the Crindle Stables Cup. The award for Best Young Horse went to John and Kathryn O’Hagan’s CHS Krooze.
The Rookie of the Year award and the Dermott Lennon Perpetual Cup went to Daniel Coyle for his outstanding achievements on the international circuit.
Coyle who is a 22-year-old Derry native moved to Canada early in 2016, and quickly gained the ride of several horses owned by leading Canadian owners Sue and Ariel Grange. Coyle demonstrated his talents as he clocked up a series of Grand Prix wins in locations such as Toronto Royal Horse Show, Spruce Meadows and his current campaigning at the Winter Equestrian Festival, Palm Beach, Florida.
In recognition of Neat Krakatoa, the 2016 Breeders Award was presented to Nicola Tang. Now named Guru, the 12-year-old gelding by VDL Douglas out of the mare Madam Delphine by Clover Brigade has had phenomenal success on the international national circuit jumping at 1.60m level.
For their performance at the FEI Young Rider European Championships, Millstreet Special Awards were presented to Gavin Harley and Jenny Rankin. For her results at the National Pony and Young Rider Championships in Mullingar, the 1m National Young Rider Champion Jennifer Torrens was presented with a special award, while the region’s highest placed young rider over the course of the championships was Mackenzie Healy.
The Show and Venue of the Year Award went to the husband and wife team Rafael and Chantal Suarez of Portmore Equestrian Centre.