FOLLOWING an incredible 2017 season, pony riders had much to celebrate at the annual SJI pony awards, hosted at the Hodson Hotel, Athlone, last Saturday. With over 50 awards being presented, there was a large attendance on the night.

With success starting at home, it was fitting that riders in the CWD Spring Tour were the first to receive their awards with the top three riders in each section stepping up to the podium.

In the 128cms, Matthew Conlon was honoured with the first award. Tom Wachman took home an array of awards, which included second in the 128cms section and third in the 138cms. He later added to his tally when he picked up the award for leading rider in the 128cms Coolmore Stud Pony Premier and second in the 138cms league, behind Francis Derwin Jnr, the 128cms RDS Champion and RDS Leading Pony rider.

Also accepting his award from Coolmore Stud representative David Wachman was Ciaran Nallon, winner of the 148cms Coolmore Stud Pony Premier league.

Kate Derwin, who finished second and third to John Murray in the 148cms CWD Pony Spring Tour League, took her awards. She was also recognised for her great performance at the National Championships when taking the honours in the 1.30m championship with Cul Ban Mistress.

In the CWD Children On Horses Spring Tour, Brian Kuehnle was awarded for his accomplishments over the course of the league. Other winners in this division included RDS winner Max Wachman (Cesha Old) and the Children on Horses winning team in the RDS Championship – Max Wachman, Aoife Drea, Ellen Thompson and John McEntee. The SJI National Champion Harriet Penfold (King Cruise) were also acknowledged for their results.

Kian Dore was awarded for his hard work and he accepted his first award as winner of the under 10 Pony Premier, as did James Derwin and Alice Wachman who finished second and third in the league respectively. Dore was also the winner of the 128cm 1.10m with Kilcreene Basil at the National Championships.

It was a memorable night for Kilkenny’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy as he accepted his award for finishing leading rider in the Starfinder with Keatingstown Hunky Dory and for their win in the the six/seven-year-old championship in the RDS. The 15-year-old was also named as International Rookie of the Year, for his outstanding result when winning the FEI Jumping Trophy final in Mechelen with the 12-year-old mare Cuffesgrange Cavalidam.

SJI National Champions were also honoured on the night and presented with their awards by Dermot Kelly from TRI Equestrian. Recipients included the under 10 champion Senan Reape, the 128cms champion Katie McEntee, the 138cms champion Francis Derwin Jnr and the 148cms champion Kate Derwin.

COVETED

The most coveted titles of the season, the RDS champions, all picked up awards. Along with Tom Wachman, who rode Parc Epic to a win in the 128cm championship, the 138cms champion Alex Finney (Dolly Du Carel), the 148cms champion Cian Goggins (Sligo Little James) were honoured. The leading six-year-old in the aged class, Knockroe Clover Moore, ridden by Orla Queally, was also recognised.

Up and coming riders also received a host of awards, in the regions the under 10 riders honoured included Lauren Adams (Leinster), Harry Rush (Connaught), Jessica Baxter (Ulster) and Munster Kian Dore.

The Leading Rider at the Coolmore Pony Premier Final, Amy-Leigh McAuley was presented with her award by Francis Derwin. Isobel Sheehan and Flashdance were the winners of the 128cms National Pony league and under 10 Discovery, while Emily Moloney and Magneto Cobra were the leading combination in the under 10 Springboard.

GOLD TEAM

European Gold Medal Pony Team 2017 team members Abbie Sweetnam, Harry Allen, Ciaran Nallon, Kate Derwin and Seamus Hughes Kennedy were once again honoured for their achievements. Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy, chef d’equipe Gary Marshall along with SJI representative John McNamara, presented the individual awards to gold medal winner Harry Allen and silver medal winner Kate Derwin.

Allen was also awarded the Special Achievement award and Kate Derwin was honoured for her outstanding results in the European Youngsters.

The Home Pony International teams were among the award winners. Teams recognised were those that competed at Cavan, Wales and West, Scotland underage teams and South View.

This year Cavan Home Pony International was honoured as the standalone Show of the Year, while the Centre of the Year award went to Ballyrafter.

Due to the large number of awards, it was not possible to include all winners in this report. However, the full list of award winners is available from Showjumping Ireland.