IT was a night of glitz and glamour in Corick House Hotel and Spa, Clogher, on Saturday, January 11th, when the Events Committee of the Ulster Region of ShowJumping Ireland hosted the annual Horse Awards Evening. The event is held to celebrate the success of Ulster Region athletes and horses throughout the year at all levels of competition.

The awards presented recognise success at National level, starting with regional awards for the Fraser Homes Ulster Grand Prix Series, right through to Olympic participation. It was also an opportunity to recognise individual contributions to show jumping and, this year, there were two very worthy recipients. The Special Recognition Award for 2024 was presented to Richard Lyttle and the SJI 70th Anniversary ‘Roll of Honour’ Recipient, Eamonn Rice, was also acknowledged. Both men received this recognition for their long-standing and valuable contribution to the show jumping world, in a variety of different guises.

The very coveted ‘Ulster Region Breeders’ Cup’ (SVS Sport Horses Perpetual Cup) was won by Edentrillick Sport Horses, who bred Edentrillick Special Edition, a five-year-old finalist at Lanaken World Championships and Edentrillick Twisted Pixie, who won the four-year-old RDS Qualifier at the Meadows Equestrian Centre and placed fourth in the Four-Year-Old Championship at Dublin Horse Show.

Rookie of the Year was awarded to Katie McEntee, who had a successful year that started at the Sunshine Tour in Spain, which concluded with three wins and placings, alongside Kinmar Bespoke placing in the CSI4* 145 LR. The Junior Rookie of the Year was awarded to Aidan O’Brien. Unfortunately, Aidan was unable to attend, as he is currently competing in America with Daniel Coyle, but was ably represented by his brother James. Daniel Coyle was recognised for his participation in the Paris Olympic Games and his award was collected, on his behalf, by show jumping stalwart and fellow Derry man, Gerry McCloskey.

Prolific winner

Niamh McEvoy, who was a prolific winner at National and International level, received an ‘Outstanding Achievement Award’ for her exceptional results in 2024. Niamh made history by winning both the Five-Year-Old World Championship and the Five-Year-Old Consolation Final at the 2024 World Breeding Championships at Lanaken. She gained qualification for the international classes at the RDS 2024 and Niamh was the Leading Young Rider of the Plusvital ShowJumping Ireland Premier Series.

Niamh was also recognised as the highest placed Ulster Region athlete in the RDS four-year-old and six-year-old championships, as well as receiving the ‘Best Young Horse’ award for Boleybawn Alvaro.

It is a testimony to the strong position of show jumping in the Ulster Region that a total of 17 FEI Participation (Abroad) recipients were acknowledged. Niamh Devlin was there on the night to receive the Junior/ Young Rider FEI Commendation Award for her outstanding results on the International circuit throughout 2024.

Joanne Sloan Allen was the winner of the ‘Ulster Region Owner Recognition Award’ for a winning Grand Prix horse at four-star and above level. The formal part of the night concluded with the awards voted for by the public and these are always closely contended. The Venue of the Year was won by Cavan Equestrian Centre and Camryn Clarke collected the award. Show of the Year was awarded to the National Balmoral Championships, which was greatly appreciated by members of the organising team in attendance. ‘Groom of the Year’ was voted for and awarded to Seaneen Duggan, who works as part of the team at WKD Show jumping.

Party time

After the formalities, it was time for the auction and raffle to take place and, with such an array on offer, this was an exciting part of the evening, ably facilitated by the MC and Auctioneer on the night Andrew Thompson, who did a marvellous job ensuring the smooth running of the evening.

It was then time for the partying to begin and it certainly did. The music was provided by the ‘Disco King’, who got 2025 off to a lively start and the dance floor was rocking and shaking all night.

There are lots of people who need to be thanked for their contribution towards making this event the success it was. The events committee, under the chairmanship of Aldyth Roulston, would like to thank all those who contributed to the night… Those who donated/ sponsored fabulous auction items and impressive raffle prizes, Corick House and Spa, the Disco King and especially all those who attended and made the night so special.

Wishing everyone a safe and successful 2025 season!

Some of the SJI National Training Bursary winners, pictured with Sharon Conlan at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Bree Rutledge presented awards to the highest placed Ulster Region athletes in the RDS Championships, including Aidan O’Brien (represented by brother James), Caroline Gaston, Robert Russell, Richard McEvoy on behalf of his daughter Niamh and Shane Treanor at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Ulster Region chairman, Derek Reid presented the Outstanding Achievement Award to Richard McEvoy, who collected the award on behalf of his daughter, Niamh, at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Ulster Region chairman, Derek Reid presented William Greene of Edentrillick Sport Horses with the Ulster Region Breeders’ Cup at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Shane Treanor was presented with an award for RDS qualification in the 5YO category by Bree Rutledge at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Ulster Region chairman, Derek Reid, presented the Mountcastle Farms Perpetual Cup to Maeve McEvoy, who picked up the award for her daughter, Niamh, highest placed Ulster Region athlete in the Plusvital/SJI Premier Grand Prix Series, at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Ulster Region chairman, Derek Reid, presented the Crindle Stables Perpetual Cup to Jonathan Smyth, highest placed Ulster Region athlete in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix Series, at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Kerry Taggart picked up awards for RDS qualifications in both the 4YO and 6YO categories from Bree Rutledge at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin

Olivia Roulston, won the Balmoral 5YO, 6YO and 7YO Championships and the 5YO Cavan Classic and is pictured receiving one of her cups from Ulster Region president, Gerry McCloskey at the Ulster Region SJI awards night \ Kyra Griffin