ONE man certainly not expecting to find himself on the podium of the Tattersalls and Goresbridge Select Event Horse Sale was dressage coach with Team Ireland Equestrian Ian Woodhead.

Amid applause, the award was made by Alison Corbally, director of breeding at Horse Sport Ireland to Woodhead just after sale proceedings at Tattersalls House had come to a close on Thursday night.

Corbally explained to the crowd that Horse Sport Irelad’s top coaching team of Woodhead, along with Sally Corscadden (eventing) and Ian Fearon (show jumping) were the recipients of their Coach of the Year Awards for their role in coaching Ireland’s eventing team to Team Silver at the World Equestrian Games but this was the first opportunity they had to present Woodhead, based in the UK, with his award in person.