OVER 200 guests attended the Eventing Ireland Youth Ball at Barberstown Castle Hotel in Straffan, Co Kildare, last Saturday evening.

Fears that bad weather might affect the night proved unfounded, as the snow did not hit Kildare until Sunday evening.

This was just the second year of the Youth Ball and it looks like the organisers have found an ideal date in the calendar, making it a last blast before the end of the Christmas holidays and the young eventers return to their studies.

Top marks to the organising committee, who not only filled the room, but also secured sponsorship, auction items and raffle prizes.

Darac O’Neill conducted the auction and the top price paid was €2,700 by Paddy Smullen for a half-day coaching session for five riders with Olympic medallist William Fox-Pitt.

Niki Potterton, chairman of Eventing Ireland, was among those in attendance and presented a special inspiration award to Badminton runner-up Lucy Latta, who was junior national champion just 10 years ago.

Award winners

Newcomer of the Year: Hugh Kelly (Fairyhouse In A Pickle)

Dressage Rider of the Year: Tom Nestor (Cooley Diamond Dancer, Coolafancy)

Cross-Country Rider of the Year: Godfrey Gibbons

Show Jumping Rider of the Year: Sarah Kehoe (Dreampearl)

Outstanding International Youth Performance of the Year: Jennifer Kuehnle

Equine of the Year: OLS King Aragon (Connors family)

Tom Nestor and Godfrey Gibbons \ Sophie Webber

Badminton runner-up Lucy Latta received a special presentation from Eventing Ireland chairman Nikki Potterton \ Sophie Webber

A scene from the awards \ Sophie Webber

Irish Pony European Squad (Silver Medallists) Bonnie O’Neill, Isabelle Walsh, Jess O’Ryan, Carla Williamson, Sophie Swain, Zara McCarthy

Tilly Tumility \ Sophie Webber

Maria Fouhy \ Sophie Webber

Newcomer of the Year - Hugh Kelly (centre) and fellow nominees \ Sophie Webber

Sarah Kehoe was named the Show Jumping Rider of the Year \ Sophie Webber