Lorna Keogh
THE West Leinster Region of riding clubs held their fifth annual Camelot awards night recently at Toughers in Newbridge, Co Kildare.
Organised by the 2014 regional committee, the evening also incorporated the prizegiving for the Autumn Kavanaghs of Newbridge dressage league and the Linda Moore showjumping league.
Following a three-course dinner for guests in the restaurant, the awards ceremony got underway. League sponsor Kevin Kavanagh of Kavanaghs of Newbridge was on hand to present the autumn dressage league prizes.
Winners in this league included Tara Ashe from Winterdown RC (primary), Mark Howe from Killcarrick RC (advanced primary), Marian Murphy from Calliaghstown RC (intermediate), Lisa Doran from Calliaghstown RC (advanced intermediate), Sarah Quaid from Cill Dara RC (open) and Karyn Jamieson from Killcarrick RC (advanced open).
John Moore, supporter of the Linda Moore Showjumping league presented the prizes for the autumn league. Winners here included Susanne McCarthy from Calliaghstown RC (primary), Katherine Dwyer from Greenhills RC (advanced primary), Olwyn Butler from Greenhills RC (intermediate), Megan Smith from Greenhills RC (advanced intermediate) and Grainne Alexander from Greenhills RC (open).
The evening finished with the presentation of the 2014 Camelot Awards, which were voted upon by clubs in the region. Compere Mary Kane assisted regional chairperson Fiona Furey in the presentation of these awards.
The award for Member of the Year was presented to Tania Whittle from Maynooth RC. Rider of the Year was named as Mark Howe from Killcarrick Riding Club. Mark and Millridge Kalmar were recent winners of the advanced primary dressage league.
The accolade for Secretary of the Year was shared jointly between Ruth Whelan from Abbeylands Riding Club and Trish Buckley from Calliaghstown Riding Club.
The Horse of the Year was also awarded jointly and this went to Dame Monte Christo, owned by Fiona Furey of Killcarrick RC, Art Décor, owned by Anne O’Connor of Abbeylands RC, Jessie, owned by Thomas Ryan from Abbeylands RC, and Cappuchino, who is competed by a number of members of Winterdown RC.
Maryclare Travers from Ballyteague RC was honoured as Volunteer of the Year.
Anne Moran from Killcarrick RC was delighted to win Most Improved Rider having placed third in intermediate showjumping with her new horse Firefly.
Greenhills RC, winners of the national show jumping team championships and of four grades in the autumn show jumping league were presented with the award for Club of the Year.