In another first, the occasion incorporated the Gain Horse Feeds Star of the Year Award and was attended by not only the principal winner, but also the recipients of the monthly awards.

In the absence of The Irish Field’s managing editor Leo Powell, Brendan McArdle stepped into the master of ceremonies role and opened by welcoming all the guests. He read a message from Leo, who, after sending his apologies, explained that he was missing the occasion for the first time under his watch.

Leo went on to pay tribute to the award winners and welcomed Glanbia and Gain into the fold. He spoke of the Agricultural Trust’s new chief executive Justin McCarthy and thanked Irish Horse World editor Sascha Geraghty for her huge influence on the healthy state of the equestrian pages. Wishing Sascha well on her forthcoming maternity leave, Leo closed by explaining that Caitriona Murphy will be taking over the reins and will be a great addition to the team.

TELLING TRIBUTE

In a telling tribute to the esteem in which these awards are held, both senior winners travelled from overseas to attend in person. It was an especially poignant occasion for the show jumping recipient Cameron Hanley who, following a career threatening injury, had made a remarkable return to the sport after an absence of two years.

Returning to action last February, the Claremorris rider quickly clocked up his first international victory at Arezzo in Italy, progressing to win the Grand Prix at the five-star show at Wiesbaden in May. A rewarding double clear round in the Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows and other consistent performances secured his place on the Irish team at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, where Hanley was a member of the bronze medal-winning squad.

After receiving his trophy from Geraghty, Hanley thanked The Irish Field and paid tribute to his wife Evelyn, adding: “It has been great to be back in the saddle. Probably the highlight of the year was to be back on an Irish team in Calgary. It may not have been the biggest Nations Cup, but to jump a double clear and be representing Ireland again was fantastic.”

For the second time in three years, the senior event rider trophy was presented to Oxfordshire-based Aoife Clark. Last year had truly been a remarkable one for the Co Kildare native, who began by claiming seventh spot at Badminton (with Master Crusoe) in May.

She continued her good run when winning the prestigious Blenheim Palace CCI*** in September with Fenyas Elegance and a few weeks later completed it when filling the runner-up spot in the FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Championships in Eventing at Le Lion d’Angers on Fernhill Adventure.

Clark commented: “It was a great year and I want to pay special thanks to all my owners, without whom none of it would be possible. Looking forward to this year, Normandy (Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games) is the big aim!”

Also honoured was pony show jumper Susan Fitzpatrick, together with junior event rider Elizabeth Hayden. The former, who was in the middle of her mock Junior Certificate exams, had enjoyed a glittering European Championships in Italy, where riding Rock Dee Jay she won individual gold medal and was instrumental in securing team bronze for Ireland.

Similarly, in the eventing division of the junior championships, Hayden and Miracle creditably completed on their dressage score to claim an individual silver medal, as well as team gold.

The dressage rider of the year award was presented to British-based Roland Tong. As the only Irish rider to feature in the top-150 of the world rankings (122nd), he won his first international Grand Prix Kür at the three-star show in Compiegne. Riding Pompidou he headed a similar competition at the national championships at Cavan in September and is the current national champion.

A new feature of the afternoon was the presentation of the Gain Horse Feeds/The Irish Field Star of the Month Awards and also the overall Star of the Year. This popular competition, which nominates four individuals at the start of each month, recognises not only riders, but importantly breeders, owners and producers as well.

Stepping up to present the award to the overall winner was Gain’s international manager Mary Delaney. She spoke of the company’s delight of being associated with the awards, which provides a unique opportunity to recognise the stars of the horse industry.

In keeping with that theme, it was no surprise to see that a true star of the future, Bertram Allen, came forward to be named Star of the Year. The German-based 18-year-old had been nominated no less than five times during the year, winning outright in July.

Allen thanked Gain Horse Feeds and The Irish Field before picking out his highlight of the season, saying: “To receive the leading international rider award at the RDS, and at my first five-star show, was very special.”

The monthly winners were also recognised individually, beginning with the Florida-based show jumper Shane Sweetnam, who was represented by his parents Jerry and Marie. Moving through the months, Horse Sport Ireland chairman Pat Wall collected the March prize on behalf of Denis Lynch, while underage show jumpers Mikey Pender and Jessica Harty were present to accept their awards for April and May.

The June award was divided between Mary McCann and Robert Power. The McCann family were recognised as the breeders of British Eventing’s top-ranked event horse Mr Cruise Control, while the multi-talented Power claimed his prize for his spectacular feat of horsemanship when winning the Hickstead Speed Derby.

In July, the overall winner Allen gained the most votes, as did fellow show jumper Paddy O’Donnell in August. The Tramore-based show jumper crowned a great year with Harristown Princess when winning the national championship for the first time.

As owners and breeders of the Blenheim Palace CCI***-winning event mare Fenyas Elegance, P.J. and Una Hegarty were the popular recipients of the September award. Hailing from an entirely different discipline, it was side-saddle high jump record holder Susan Oakes who came forward to receive her salver for October. She was sporting a broken collarbone gained from a point-to-point fall at Tyrella the previous weekend.

Two senior show jumpers filled the remaining spots. Capt Michael Kelly was present to receive his award, while the new chairman of ShowjumpingIreland Tony Hurley represented Florida-based Paul O’Shea.

In keeping with tradition, Michael Slavin brought the occasion to a close with his unique (and very amusing) rendition of Molly Malone.