IT would be nigh impossible to list the deaths throughout the year of all those people involved in equestrian sports, some of whom were tragically killed in riding accidents.
One death which had a major impact on those working in The Irish Field was that in early July of photojournalist Ruth Rogers who, to her great surprise, had been presented with a special recognition award at the Irish Horse World awards lunch in The K Club in early February.
Best known in recent years for her involvement with Connemara ponies, about whom she reported extensively in these pages, during her years covering racing, Ruth was the first woman to win a National Press Award while her work had also seen her receive the International Salon of Photography gold medal, the Pacemaker photograph of the year award and three Benson & Hedges photograph of the year awards.