THREE very important winners were left out of last week’s four well-packed pages of reports on the Eventing Ireland national championships at Kilguilkey House so we now take the opportunity of turning the spotlight on them.

Two of the awards were sponsored by Clyda Equestrian with the first, the Volunteer of the Year award, being presented to Fred Ward of the Munster Region who was nominated by many including his daughter Felicity, who wrote: “There are a lot of reasons why I believe, along with so many others, that Fred should receive this award.

“First and foremost, he will never see any event organiser struggling to find help; he is always a ‘phone call away and will gladly take on duties like fence judging or doing the xc timing.

“In fact, he might even be put out if he wasn’t asked, in case he would miss out on the action!

“He takes his roles very seriously and executes his tasks with the utmost precision. Everyone, especially in the Munster region, knows that they can rely on Fred, from national events – week-in, week-out – to internationals.”

Having compiled the nominations, Ana-Maria Hughes of the Munster Region further commented of the award winner: “Fred is always the first to offer help be it rain, hail or shine, and does so with a smile on his face. He was nominated by a number of people all with the same view that Fred is the most deserving ‘Volunteer of the Year’.”

Amelia Hegarty, who is based in Kildare where she is head groom to event rider Cathal Daniels, won the ‘Groom of the Year’ award.

According to Ana-Marie: “It was for very obvious reasons that Amelia was nominated.

“Her turn-out is immaculate, her attention to detail is second to none and she always has Cathal in the right place at the right time. She has a lorryload of horses and never looks stressed, showing her professionalism. No groom is more deserving of this prize and we feel the nation agreed.”

SURPRISE WIN

Otherwise engaged at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, Amelia missed the barbeque and presentation at the national eventing championships at Kilguilkey House but we believe she was shocked to have learned of her win. The award,which was collected on her behalf by the 2017 ‘Groom of the Year’, Allan Fox, was accepted on the winner’s behalf by Michelle Dulohery.

Carol Gee is a big supporter of Danny and Michelle Dulohery’s Kilguilkey House, being title sponsor through Fernhill Sport Horses of the international at the Co Cork venue in June and a sponsor two weeks ago of the CNCP2* championship. Gee also sponsored a special all-around award in the EI90 championship for the rider who impressed her most. This was won by Jodie O’Leary of whom Gee commented: “Jodie was well turned-out, conducted herself in a mannerly way to all officials and looked like she had future potential as a pony squad rider.”