THE seventh annual West Leinster Region Camelot Awards night, hosted by Moyglare Riding Club, was a great success. Held recently at the Westgrove Hotel in Clane, Co. Kildare, the awards night, a popular annual fixture on the West Leinster region of riding clubs calendar, attracted almost 200 in attendance for the event. Organisers Niamh Daly O’Rourke and Zohra Smyth were delighted with how the night ran and the positive feedback received.
After a cocktail reception, over 30 prizes from generous sponsors were distributed as part of a raffle held in aid of charity which raised an amazing €1,280. Proceeds will be split between My Lovely Horse Rescue and The Marie Keating Foundation. The raffle was followed by dinner and afterwards came the presentation of awards and prizes.
The Camelot Awards were first held in 2011 and aim to recognise riders, clubs and members in the West Leinster Region of Riding Clubs for their achievements throughout the year across eight categories. In addition to the Camelot Awards, the prizes for the West Leinster Spring and Autumn Linda Moore Showjumping leagues and Kavanagh’s of Newbridge Dressage League were also presented.
John Moore presented the prizes for the Spring and Autumn Linda Moore showjumping leagues. The league is named in honour of the late Linda Moore who was treasurer of the West Leinster Region before she passed away in 2010. Spring league winners included Carl White from Winterdown Riding Club (Primary), Jackie McCann from Calliaghstown RC (Advanced Primary), Audrey O’Dwyer from Cill Dara RC (Intermediate), Yvonne Garret Brady from Oakleaf RC (Advanced Intermediate) and Grainne Alexander from Greenhills RC (Open).
Autumn league winners included Kasper Feurer from Calliaghstowm (Primary), Diana Haining from Moyglare (Advanced Primary), Sara Wood from Celbridge (Intermediate), Louise Molloy from Greenhills (Advanced Intermediate) and Peter Brady from Oakleaf (Open).
The Spring and Autumn leagues were sponsored by Kavanaghs of Newbridge. Owner Kevin Kavanagh was unable to make it on the night so prizes were distributed by Bernard Durkan Fine Gael TD for North Kildare. Spring league winners included Renee Hadley from Killcarrick RC (Primary), Karina Clarke from Rathfarnham RC (Advanced Primary), Ceara Banner from Abbeylands RC (Intermediate), Fionnuala O’Connor from Greenhills RC (Advanced Intermediate) and Deirdre Kane from Greenhills RC (Open).
Autumn league winners included Laura Byrne from Ballyteague (Primary), Mary Leavy from Moyglare RC (Advanced Primary), Anne Casey and Evin Foley from Greenhills RC (joint winners of Intermediate), Genna Kavanagh from Killcarrick RC (Advanced Intermediate), Orla Harrington from Dunbyrne RC (Open) and Deirdre Kane from Greenhills RC (Advanced Open).
The Camelot Awards were compered by Mary Kane from Greenhills and riding clubs within the region had voted on nominees in each category. Evin Foley from Greenhills RC was presented with the award for most improved rider. Evin and his new young horse Highfield Hunter (Artie) developed as a partnership throughout the year culminating in their win in the intermediate grade in the Autumn Kavanaghs of Newbridge Dressage League.
Rider of the year was awarded to Clare Stanley also from Greenhills. 2017 has been a dream come true year for Clare as her bay mare Kerry has racked up numerous clear rounds showjumping and cross-country. The pair formed part of the winning team for Greenhills at the National Showjumping Team Championships at the RDS Dublin Horse Show.
Fellow Greenhills member Grainne Alexander was awarded the horse of the year award for her chesnut mare Knockenpower Ginger. A formidable force against the clock, this mare is known for her consistent performances and kind nature. She and Grainne captained the Greenhills team at the RDS delivering a clear round under pressure to secure the win.
Anouska Rickard from Killcarrick was awarded secretary of the year for her hard work and positive demeanour while handling the demanding role of regional secretary.
Long term Abbeylands RC member Ann Benson was awarded member of the year, while volunteer of the year went to John Harkin, a familiar sight with his clip board manning the warm-up arenas at shows.
Kildare-based club Cill Dara RC were delighted to be awarded club of the year.
The Linda Moore League was awarded this year to Trish Buckley from Calliaghstown Riding Club. Long term riding club member Trish has become synonymous with Calliaghstown riding club having served many years as club secretary while also acting as a great support and source of knowledge on the regional committee.
The West Leinster regional committee paid tribute to Moyglare Riding Club for organising such a successful awards night. Tribute was also paid to all the generous sponsors and to John Moore for his support of the Linda Moore Spring and Autumn League.