THE Eventing Ireland Northern Region awards ball was held last Saturday night at a new venue, the Stormont Hotel, Belfast, where just over 350 guests celebrated the achievements of regional members during the 2023 season while enjoying a stylish and sociable occasion.

The ball was organised with her usual precision and attention to detail by Dora Beacom, who had asked commentator Raymond Bready to welcome attendees. These comprised owners, competitors, landowners, sponsors, service providers, friends and supporters including many volunteers.

Raymond also spoke of those who couldn’t attend, such as Marian Turley, whose brother had died during the week; Emily Corbett, who was in hospital; and Georgia Stubington and her daughter Lucca whose mother and grandmother, Patricia MacKean, was unwell. Also brought to mind were Christopher Pooler and David Corbett, who sadly died during the year.

Awards

The awards were presented by Jean Mitchell, who, in the run-up to the ball, had been busy knitting beanies, which were left on tables for people to take home. In addition to cups and trophies, there were horse rugs for the Graded winners, from EI120 level down to, for the first time, EI80, and, for their riders, gift boxes of Prosecco (ladies), wine (men) and sparkling fruit juice (underage), sponsored by John Gibson of Sporting Images NI.

A full list of the equine award winners appears on page 107, but here we must mention human athletes, such as Steven Smith who, for the 22nd time, accumulated most points in the Region with his string of horses. Unfortunately, Steven was unable to attend the ball, so the leading rider trophy was accepted on his behalf by his daughter Hollie.

Conspicuously present by the number of times she left her table to receive awards was Johanna Herron who, personally, was presented with the Hanna Trophy as the rider (over 18 and who hadn’t competed at two-star level or higher in 2023), who accumulated the most regional points on a single horse, in her case Twentypark Emperess.

Having been selected by Horse Sport Ireland’s Junior high performance manager, Dag Albert, as the most improved Junior rider in the region, Anna White was the recipient of the Pescetto Friendship Trophy.

Anna White won the Pescetto Friendship Trophy for most improved junior award at the Northern Region awards 2023 \ Sporting Images NI

Jennifer Gilchrist (East Down) and Kitty Cullen (Iveagh) were the winner and runner-up in the Pony Club league. Jennifer amassed 38 points, while Kitty, who also won the CCIP2-S at Blair Castle, accumulated 29.

The winners were announced by Bready who, after dinner, very energetically conducted the night’s auction, which raised nearly €7,000. Among the items to come under the hammer were a bottle of 21-year-old Redbreast Irish Whiskey, vouchers for hotel breaks and arena hire, the use of a Maserati Grecale Modena for a weekend, a cross-country fence, two tickets to Coldplay, catering for a party of 100 people and a package to Badminton Horse Trials.

Raymond enlisted the help of fellow commentator Peter Quirke for the ballot, the latter drawing out envelopes in which the person whose name was on the outside had put at least £5 inside. Scruffy Joe wasn’t present, but an envelope had been entered into the draw on his behalf and Dónal O’Beirne was delighted to pick up his prize of hand cream. There were some varied items in the draw and, at this time of year, the six prizes of arena hire at Ardnacashel and Hazeldene (three each) were popular.

The prize of an Equivizer numnah, donated by freelance coach Penny Sangster, was won by Downpatrick bloodstock agent Russell MacNabb, who attended the ball with his wife Clare. Also present from the world of racing and bloodstock sales were Brian and Michelle Hamilton, plus Kevin and Anna Ross.

Jennifer Gilchrist won the EI90 (P) award, as well as the Pony Club league at the Northern Region awards 2023 \ Sporting Images NI

Former professional jockey, turned amateur, turned equine dentist Jason McKeown, who attended the ball with his wife Linda, barely sat down during the night at their table which included Mark and Angela McElroy. Both Mark and Jason had been hunting earlier in the day with the South Tyrones, a meet which will be covered in these pages soon by Noel Mullins.

It was difficult enough recognising the event riders in their finery (and there were five tables of young competitors), so I had no chance with any show jumpers present. I spoke briefly to Anneka Knox, who competes Patch Mills Sportsman in amateur classes, and know that Hannah Blakely, who rides for Jane Allen-Collins, was present. It was a busy weekend on the social front for Natasha Cassidy, who attended this awards ball 24 hours after being at the Northern Ireland Shetland Group awards night.

As ever, once the formalities of the evening were out of the way, The Bizz took to the stage and the dance floor was packed.

Molly O'Connor and Erin Mathieson received Representational Honours awards at the Northern Region awards 2023 for their participation in the Irish team at the European Pony Eventing championships at Le Mans \ Sporting Images NI

Now on to next year. A date and venue for the Northern Region’s AGM in January have yet to be finalised, but we do know that the popular Baileys Horse Feeds flexi-eventing series at The Meadows is due to commence on Saturday, January 13th, and will run every Saturday until February 24th. The annual two-phase event at Tyrella is scheduled for Saturday, March 9th, with the EI NR season starting at the same venue a fortnight later.