THE 10th annual West Leinster Region of Riding Clubs’ Camelot Awards night was held last Saturday at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane. The awards have become a very popular social function on the West Leinster calendar and over 160 members from clubs throughout the region turned out to enjoy the awards and the accompanying meal, raffle, music and dancing.
Organisers Niamh Daly and Caroline Sullivan from Moyglare Riding Club began the evening with a raffle in aid of two very deserving charitable funds – My Lovely Horse Rescue and the Kevin Babington fund. The raffle was incredibly well supported by local businesses kind enough to sponsor a prizes from lessons with established local trainers to vouchers for various businesses. The raffle raised a fantastic €1,547.70.
The first prize awarded on the night was the ‘Best Dressed Human’ award. Sponsored by Lorna O’Hare, owner of equestrianreality.com, this competition was judged by Deirdre Kane from Greenhills RC. Deirdre Kane was the winner of ladies day at the 2018 Dublin Horseshow and chose Jason Byrne from Killcarrick RC as the winner. Jason, who looked very dapper, went home with a Special Edition browband in the Equestrian Reality colours as his prize.
The evening continued with the presentation of prizes for the Linda Moore Spring and Autumn show jumping leagues and the Kavanaghs of Newbridge Spring and Autumn dressage leagues. John Moore was on hand to present the prizes for the Linda Moore leagues and Jenny Heffernan from Cill Dara RC presented the prizes from the Kavanaghs of Newbridge dressage leagues on behalf of local business owners and sponsors Kevin and Marguerite Kavanagh.
Generous sponsors
The main event of the evening, the Camelot Awards were presented by Mary Clare Travers. These awards were generously sponsored by Finn O’Sullivan Equine Sales, a valued supporter of the West Leinster region and a local consultant and supplier of top quality feeds and supplements including Keyflow, Agrobs and Horsefirst. O’Sullivan Equine Sales supplied vouchers and prizes for each winner.
The most improved rider category had 10 nominees and was popularly won by Dorothy Rawlins from Killcarrick RC who got back into competing in 2019 with her mare Molly.
Horse of the Year was awarded to Helen Alexander from Greenhills RC for her grey mare Grangefort Heather, a new partnership in 2019 who competed successfully in dressage, showjumping and showing.
Megan Delaney from Ballyteague RC won the Rider of the Year award. Megan often competes up to four horses a day while working full time. She has been a consistent performer in the dressage and showjumping leagues throughout the year.
Club of the Year was awarded to Cill Dara RC, praised for their annual charity summer show which raised funds for charity CanTeen and successfully hosted the regional dressage qualifiers.
Regional secretary Maeve O’Toole won Secretary of the Year for her organised and diplomatic approach to what can be a challenging role.
Jason Byrne was also awarded Volunteer of the Year. Always first in line to offer to lend a hand, Jason is known for his friendly and helpful attitude and looks after the role of volunteer coordinator for the region at national events.
Fiona Furey from Killcarrick RC was awarded Member of the Year. Fiona has been the backbone of the region for many years from chairing the West Leinster region committee to looking after the role of regional representative and forming part of the national committee. The region has thrived under her leadership.
Finally, the last award, the prestigious Linda Moore Person of the Year award was presented by John Moore. In a surprise twist, this was awarded to the compere of the awards – a very surprised Maryclare Travers. Maryclare is well known not just for her great sense of humour but for her ability to know the intricacies of rules off the top of her head, to put order to chaos and to add up a dressage test at uncanny speed. She is a true character and will be of great benefit to the region as she steps up to the role of regional chairperson for 2020.
The West Leinster region thanked Niamh and Caroline for their organisation of a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and all of the local people and businesses who supplied raffle prizes – Kevin Kavanagh, John Moore and Finn O’Sullivan Equine Sales – for their support.
Award winners
AIRC West Leinster Region – Camelot awards 2019
Most Improved Rider: Dorothy Rawlins (Killcarrick RC)
Horse of the Year: Grangefort Heather (Helen Alexander, Greenhills RC)
Rider of the Year: Megan Delaney (Ballyteague RC)
Club of the Year: Cill Dara RC
Secretary of the Year: Maeve O’Toole (regional secretary)
Volunteer of the Year: Jason Byrne (Killcarrick RC)
Member of the Year: Fiona Furey (Killcarrick RC)
Linda Moore Award Person of the Year: Maryclare Travers (Ballyteague RC)