SARAH Richardson, one of the function’s organisers, was presented with two awards at the recent AIRC North East Region’s ball and awards night in The D-Hotel, Drogheda.

Just over 100 guests attended the ball representing eight clubs in the Region – Ard Lú, Ashbrook, Boyneside, Castle Hill, Cheval, Drynam, Kilronan and Thornton. Following pre-dinner drinks and a three-course meal, Jane Robinson, who is chairman of Drynam and public relations officer for the Region, acted as MC for the night’s awards presentation.

Some weeks previously, each club had sent in a nomination per category for the Person of the Year award, not necessarily AIRC members. A shortlist was then circulated and each club subsequently voted for their top three in each category with the count done by an independent committee.

Sarah was voted Club Secretary of the Year and Person of the Year. She is secretary of both Boyneside and the Region and much deserved the accolades which came her way through the nominations process.

“Sarah had knee surgery at the start of the year, but this did not stop her keeping all her members updated on all riding club activities. Sarah is friendly, encouraging and extremely organised,” those present were told.

“Sarah does outstanding work for the region and the commitment to her job as Regional secretary is commendable. She always goes above and beyond in everything she does. For example, the NER Festival was so well run and that, even with the curveballs of the weather and change of venue, it still ran like a dream.”

That NER Festival, where the action on a very wet day one took place at the Cheval grounds and, on day two, at Killossery Lodge Stud, was voted Show of the Year with one club stating:

“So much care and attention went into the organisation of the show with a huge amount of classes on offer, great judges and lots of special touches, such as the championship presentations. The fact that the weather was horrendous and that a change of venue could be arranged for the second day was amazing and that could not have been an easy task for the organisers. This show really stood out as a great weekend with a brilliant atmosphere!”

Sarah Richardson and Linda Nuly at the AIRC North East Region awards event 2023

Member of the year

Linda Nulty was also presented with two awards, on a personal level as Club Member of the Year and as Chairman of Ard Lú, which was voted Club of the Year.

According to her clubmates, “Linda hasn’t missed a meeting, training session or a competition that members attended, she has driven the length and breadth of the country to support our members. A broken ankle didn’t even deter her from volunteering and covering not only our members’ duties, but she also fulfilled the volunteering requirements on behalf of the Region for other members in the NER at Championship events.”

As for the club award, one nomination stated of Ard Lú: “They encapsulate everything it is to be a Riding Club. Even from the outside looking in, you can see that they have great club spirit and support for one another. Not only that, but Ard Lú R.C. support everyone, be it a Club or Region, a show or a training event – you can guarantee there will be an Ard Lú member present.

“They travel the country and always do so with a smile. This is particularly evident at National events when, with a tent on hand, the Ard Lú camp is always there. Although relatively new to the North East Region, we believe they are a huge asset and we are lucky to have them.”

Following the awards presentation there was live music by Shane O’Neill and then late night music with DJ Gary. Much thanks and praise went the way of the ball committee comprising Maria Carrick, Lisa O’Brien and the above-mentioned Sarah Richardson.