THE third annual Irish Sport Horse Industry Awards took place at the five-star K Club Hotel in Co Kildare last Saturday night, where some 18 awards were presented to professionals who have played a vital role in the success of the sport horse industry in Ireland.
The brainchild of Liam and Deirdre Geddes, who also publish Ireland’s Horse Review, the awards continue to go from strength to strength with over 200 in attendance, and this year saw a number of new awards introduced, as well as a new title sponsor in Theraplate Ireland.
Former European minister, CEO of Vulcan Consulting and Horse Sport Ireland board member Lucinda Creighton was chair of the judging panel. She was joined by media professional John Feerick, sport horse producer Tiernan Gill, Tadhg Ryan of Bit-Media, and Aisling Byrne, show jumper and CEO of Journey Through Ireland.
Maureen Bagnall was the hugely popular recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for her tireless work in the sport of show jumping. Event organiser at the now defunct South County Show which was held at her home for many years, Bagnall revealed she has an idea for a new show, but is keeping tight-lipped for now.
However, the establishment of the hugely successful Young Riders Academy is the thing she is most proud of. “So many riders have gone away and they had no support, they didn’t know how to get any PR, they hadn’t any contacts. They are doing a lot of networking now and I am so grateful to all our good riders because our senior riders have all come in as mentors,” she said.
“I’d like to thank Michael Blake. Without him as my chairman in the young riders… for years I had been fighting everyone to try and start the academy and Michael Blake was the one that really supported it, so thank you.”
Malahide-based sport horse producer and agent Barry O’Connor accepted the Person of the Year award. O’Connor is chairman of the Sport Horse Alliance Group, who launched a 56-page report on the industry in July, calling for a fundamental shift in government support by seeking investment of €100 million over the next five years.
On lobbying the government for more funding, O’Connor said: “We knocked gently at the door for the last two years so I think we will maybe use our foot this year. We got a great perception from the Ministers, but they didn’t get our story, they don’t realise the value sport horses gives to rural Ireland and what the potential is for the Irish economy.
“Every year our asks get more sophisticated and drilled out into the numbers and we spread our word throughout the country. This year we are breaking out into smaller groups and encouraging people to get in touch with their local representatives and really spread the news and the worth of the sector in Ireland. Together with HSI, we have formed the economic forum for the whole industry so we are going as one voice,” O’Connor added.
Judy Reynolds flew in from her home in Germany to accept the Inspiration award, while Sam Watson and Sarah Ennis were joined on stage by Horseware Adragh Highlight’s owner Belinda Kerr to accept the Grand Prix award on behalf of the silver medal-winning WEG eventing team. Irish Horse World editor Isabel Hurley received the Media Award for her dedication to producing these weekly pages.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Best International Equine Enterprise: Karlswood Stables
Best Domestic Equine Enterprise: EquiRatings
Industry Research and Development: Irish Equine Centre
Innovation: William Micklem
Equestrian Event of the Year: Millstreet Eventing
Person of the Year: Barry O’Connor
Organisation of the Year: The Showjumpers Club
Media Award: Isabel Hurley
Best Website: AIRC
Equestrian Retailer of the Year: Equine Warehouse
Grand Prix: Sally Corscadden and Senior Irish eventing team
Best Country Show: Bonniconlon
Social Media: My Show Advisor
Sponsorship: Stena Line
Inspiration: Judy Reynolds
Special recognition: Paul Cocoman and Horse Sport Ireland
Lifetime Achievement: Maureen Bagnall
Ruth O’ Connor collects the Best International Equine Enterprise Award on behalf of husband Cian's Karlswood Stables from Liam Lynskey. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media
Members of the AIRC team celebrate their Best Website Award during the 2019 Irish Sport Horse Industry Awards held at the K Club, Co. Kildare. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media
Diarm Byrne collects the Best Domestic Equine Enterprise Award for EquiRatings from Aisling Byrne. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media
Emma Hickey, Caitriona Buckley and Tadhg Ryan celebrate their Equestrian Event of the Year Award for Millstreet International Horse Trials
Sarah Ennis and Sam Watson and Belinda Keir collect the Grand Prix Award from Frankie Fox on behalf of the Irish WEG 2018 Eventing Team. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media
Liam Geddes presents a Special Recognition Award to Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Reynolds and CEO Ronan Murphy.
William Micklem receives the Innovation Award from Pat Hanly. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media
Paul Ryan (The Equine Warehouse) receives the Equestrian Retailer of the Year Award from Judith Faherty. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media
Paul Cocaman receives a Special Recognition Award from Liam Geddes. Photo Tadhg Ryan/Bit-Media