DRESSAGE Ireland held its annual general meeting last Saturday, November 9th, at the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin.

Chairperson Mark Ruddock summarised a very busy and successful year for the association and introduced an initiative of awarding certificates to all those who represented Ireland internationally or at Home Nations competitions throughout the year.

Standing AGM business included the re-election of board members, Christine Newton, Dane Rawlins and Jane Whitaker, who were up for rotation, while Joan Adrain, chairperson of the Northern Region, was elected to the board.

DI still has two major events coming up before the end of the year viz the judges’ gala at Kildalton Agricultural College on Saturday next, November 23rd, and the inaugural DI ball the following Saturday, November 30th, at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim.

Both are open to all and tickets are available on the DI Itsplainsailing page.

Dressage Ireland Chairperson, Mark Ruddock, and Fiona Hayes (L), awarding a certificate to Rosemarie Ahern O'Gorman at the Dressage Ireland AGM

Awards

A vast number of awards were presented at Saturday’s AGM, including those sponsored by Treo Eile for the highest-placed thoroughbreds at four levels over the summer.

Tipperary’s Rebecca Hayes won both the Preliminary and Novice awards with Hash Brown, Claire Farrell was presented with the Elementary award for her results with Renneti, while Rosemarie Ahern O’Gorman won the Medium award with Khwarizmi.

Special awards were presented to Roma Oakes (Para), Mai Monahan (Connemara), Maeve Deverell (pony), Lauren McMahon (highest % 16 and under), Oscar O’Connor (highest % 25 and under), Cecilia Foster (Preliminary Category 1) and Joanne Logue (Preliminary Category 2).

Dressage Ireland Chairperson, Mark Ruddock and Fiona Hayes (L) awarding certificates to Youth Home Nations riders Amber Lane, Georgie Cadogan, Maura McCune Moore and Niamh Kavanagh at the Dressage Ireland AGM