MOST of the excitement at The Meadows last Saturday centred on the presentation of prizes for the Baileys Horse Feeds flexi-eventing series by the company’s Irish agent, Judy Maxwell.

The sun was shining for the early afternoon presentations as the day’s Master of Ceremonies, Raymond Bready, called forward Maxwell and it was great to see that all prize-winners were in attendance and that all were well turned-out for the occasion.

The top 15 in the League were presented with their prizes in reverse order which culminated in the league championship trophy, sash and prize envelope being presented to Nikki Cullen who had accumulated 63 points on her 11-year-old Rineen Clover mare Gemstone Ruby.

Taking their places alongside her on the podium were Denis Currie, who finished second with Arodstown Aramis (61.5), and Zara Reid who placed third with Greylands Diamond Girl (60). They both received sashes, prize envelopes and Baileys Feed.

Maxwell also presented the award for the highest-placed Riding Club member to Claire Ireland of Gransha Riding Club who placed ninth overall with Goin’ For Gold (44.5). Reid received a second award as this member of the North Down Branch was the highest-placed Pony Club representative in the league.

The series champion, Nikki Cullen, was the only one mounted and she made the most of her victory as among the many photographs taken of her by Tori O’Connor was one of Nikki and her 11-year-old Rineen Clover mare, Gemstone Ruby, flanked by her grandfather, Raymond Cullen senior, and her four-year-old daughter Sophia.

Nikki’s father, also Raymond, was in charge of the family camera while her mother, Sharon, was otherwise occupied, judging those competing over the Aaron McCusker-designed show jumping track.

Wide variety

A bug bear of mine is the fact that equestrian activities are rarely mentioned in the mainstream media when the topic is raised of women in sport. Not only was there equality between the sexes throughout this flexi-eventing series but also between generations with the packed final podium of overall prize-winners featuring one rider aged 13 and another aged 65.

Christine McBride, an independent fitter and supplier of Equipe saddles and accessories, presented an Equipe bridle to Denis Currie as he had accumulated the highest number of dressage points during the league with Arodstown Aramis.

Co. Antrim-based McBride, a Level 3 Horse Sport Ireland coach, also presented pairs of Veredus overreach boots to Sophia Madeley, Robyn Rice and Keeva McElhennon who were the best supporters of the series, outside of the top placings.

Joanne Jarden, who had spent her morning judging dressage, was on duty at the presentation to represent Treo Eile, the non-profit organisation which promotes the use of thoroughbreds – raced or unraced – in second careers.

Treo Eile had sponsored a prize for the highest-placed thoroughbred in the league and Jarden presented this to Emma Thompson who’s Mauras Way, a seven-year-old Getaway mare who had last run in July 2021, finished 17th in the league on 34 points.

FEI Level 4 judge Jarden, who is taking a Randox Health-sponsored Treo Eile show jumping clinic for thoroughbreds at The Meadows on Monday, March 13th, competed two thoroughbreds herself during her days on the international event scene.

These were the 1975 Welcome News gelding Welcome Lough, an ex-point-to-pointer Jarden rode at the 1985 European Young Riders’ Championships at Le Lion d’Angers, and the 1985 Belfalas mare Belle Canna with whom she competed at the 1999 European Championships at Luhmühlen and was non-travelling reserve for the 1998 World Equestrian Games at Pratoni.