COMPERE Raymond Bready had no need to check his notes when it came to naming the winner of the leading rider award at last Saturday night’s Eventing Ireland Northern Region awards ball in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast.

“I’ve been doing this job for 24 years and during this time the same rider has won the award on 23 occasions and again tonight your leading rider of the year is Steven Smith!” announced Bready who handed over the microphone to Smith once the latter had been presented with his award by regional chair, Georgia Stubington.