WHEN we last mentioned Dressage Ireland judge Bernie Foley in this column, it was to wish her a speedy recovery from the nasty facial injuries she had suffered when kicked by her own horse in mid-February.

Today, we have the more pleasant task of congratulating Bernie on achieving List 1 status, which sees her join an elite group of just six other DI judges who can assess those competing at Grand Prix and Intermediate II level.

The exam was held during the recent Premier League show at Hickstead, where the examiners were Mary-Anne Horan, one of the visiting judges at the Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival, and Debbie Wardell. “Hickstead were very good to facilitate us,” said Bernie, who hopes to return to the saddle very soon, having already made her comeback on the golf course.