OVER 500 competitors, owners, breeders, supporters, landowners and sponsors converged on the La Mon House Hotel last Saturday for the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland (EI) annual awards’ ball while there were many others disappointed not to have acquired a ticket for this night of style and celebration.

Georgia Stubington, chairman of EI, presented the awards and it was little surprise to hear Steven Smith being announced as leading rider of the season having accumulated most points at Northern Region events. The Gilford competitor displayed great determination during the year as he was racked with pain from sciatica.

Smith had a lot of success throughout the 2014 campaign with his own Out Of Touch gelding My Ballymac Bay, winner of the night’s CNC* award, and with the Iroko six-year-old Ringfort Rubicon who claimed the Irwin trophy for best owner-bred horse in the Northern Region for Diane Harron Eakin of Crossgar’s Ringfort Stud.

Sportsfield Othello, owned by Jill Murphy, Alison Schmutz and Andrew Tinkler, won the Belle Canna trophy asNorthern Regionhorse gaining most points worldwide. The Ricardo Z gelding, who finished fifth in the CCI**** at Pau last month, was ridden by Joseph Murphy who, along with Clare Abbott, was acknowledged on Saturday for representing Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

A surprised and delighted Daphne Irwin was presented with the Roy Pugh memorial prize for the most deserving groom, as chosen by Ruth Eyre-Pugh from nominations submitted. For many years, Daphne has groomed for her son Richard.

Denis Currie was recipient of the Hanna trophy which is presented to theNorthern Regionrider (over 18) who accumulates most points throughout the season atNorthern Regionevents on a single horse. Those who have competed at two-star level or higher are not eligible for this award which Currie claimed for the third year in a row thanks to his achievements on the wonderfully consistent Bering Strait.

This year’s winner of the Bright Outlook trophy for the Region’s Sportsman of the Year, as selected by Nicky and Richard Nesbitt as the person who best embraces the sportsman criteria and ethos, was Russell Alexander. He competes at EI 100 level with his 16-year-old Ballinvella Clover gelding Cuan Cottown Charlie.

Ballymena’s Charlotte Dixon was presented with the Pescetto friendship trophy as most improved junior rider.

Also acknowledged on the night for their achievements at international level were Sophie Buller (G Maha) and Fionn Clarke (Black Velvet Band), members of the Irish team at the European pony championships; Susie Berry (Carsonstown Athena) who won team gold and finished eighth individually at the European Junior championships; and Harold Megahey (Chuckelberry) who won team gold and finished fourth individually at the European Young Rider championships.

Jane Clarke’s nine-year-old skewbald mare Black Velvet Band was the winner of the Silver Fox trophy for pony of the year having won the CCI* for ponies at Tattersalls International Horse Trials.

After dinner, the awards ceremony and an auction conducted by Raymond Bready, there was dancing for the remainder of the night and well into the early hours to The Bizz.

A ball like this takes a huge amount of organisation but, undaunted by her efforts, regional secretary Dora Beacom was up early on Sunday morning for a day’s show jumping judging.

LEADING NORTHERN REGION HORSES AND PONIES

Best mare (Juniper Green & Kells trophy): Jaemi Cochrane’s Kilpatrick Honey (Owner).

Best owner-bred horse (Irwin trophy):Diane Harron Eakin’s Ringfort Rubicon (Steven Smith).

CNC***:Andrew Tinkler and Alison Schmutz’s Westwinds Hercules (Joseph Murphy).

CNC8*:Hilary Furlonger’s Kilpatrick Dancer (Joseph Murphy).

CNC* (Hodgkinson silver goblet):Steven Smith’s My Ballymac Bay (Owner).

EI 100 (Hodgkinson rose bowl):Sarah Moore’s Lisa’s Dream (Jayne Moore).

EI 90:Michael Boyd’s Ballyalt Comet (Owner).

CNCJ*:Mary Boyd’s Stan From Meelin (Toby Purce).

EI 100J:Rachel Kelly’s Annagh Storm (Anna Kelly).

CNC1* amateur:Denis Currie’s Bering Strait (Owner).

EI 100 amateur:Jaemi Cochrane’s Kilpatrick Honey (Owner).

EI 90 amateur: Helen Pannell’s Golden Spa (Owner).

CNCP**:Rachelle Harding’s Lucy Bready (Justine Harding).

EI 100P (Mission Accomplished trophy):Terry Johnston’s My Gypsy Rose (Justine Harding).

EI 90P:Marcia Hogg’s Mr Beringo (Jas Hogg).

Lightsource Renewable Energy CNC* winners:Steven Smith’s My Ballymac Bay (Owner), Richard Irwin’s Timpany Flight Hero (Owner), Emma Jackson’s Creevagh For Sure (Owner) and Emma Jackson’s Cushlas Skyimp (Owner).