THE Park View Hotel, Newtownmountkennedy was the venue last Friday for the Eastern Region’s awards night and dinner where chair Gillian Kyle welcomed all to the first members’ meeting since 2019.

“This was due to the pandemic which caused major disruption to all sporting gatherings,” commented Kyle. “Hopefully, this is all behind us now and we look forward to running our shows and organising training for our members.

“Last year, we got back to normal by running 15 shows. These were very well supported and we were delighted to see so many new faces. I would like to thank the Delahoyde family for allowing us the use of their fantastic facilities (at Marlton Stud) and their generous help and support. I must also extend my thanks to all of the volunteers who give up their time to support our shows; call-up stewards, writers, scorers and sheet collectors.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our members who have done brilliantly last year, both internationally and on the home circuit. I would also like to thank my committee for their support, especially Katriona Hall, our regional and show secretary, who works tirelessly and sometimes with very little help. I simply could not do it without her.”

Award winners

The 2022 award winning riders were: Patrick Thistle Preliminary trophy, Lisa Carnegie; Eastern Region Novice trophy, Lisa Carnegie; Kejser Elementary trophy, Susan Black; Caraig Rua Medium trophy, Barbara Delahoyde; Eastern Region Advanced trophy, Josephine Delahoyde; Seron New Member trophy, Mary Fenlon Burke; Anamacara Trailblazer trophy, Cael Shannaghan; overall leading rider, Lisa Carnegie.

The Eastern Region’s first show of 2023 takes place tomorrow, Sunday, at Marlton Stud, Wicklow.