THERE was a great turn-out for the awards night held by the Western Region of Eventing Ireland in the Meadowcourt Hotel, Loughrea last Friday.

Guests were treated to a beautifully decorated ballroom – which even incorporated a horse – a lovely meal and great video footage of all regional competitors in action during the year. Nobody needed to exercise for the next couple of days after all the dancing that took place well into the morning.

Compère for the night was regional chairman Ralph Conroy who did a fantastic job outlining the achievements of the award recipients and recapping the main events in the region during 2022. Liam Lynskey (vice-chairman) presented the awards as the winners came forward.

They were as follows: Breeders’ prizes, Ralph Conroy (represented by Jason Doerflinger) for the four-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Milchem Good Luck (by Goodluck VDL – Milchem Dreamer, by Silvano), Pat Dillon for the five-year-old traditional ISH mare Musical Dawn (by Musical Pursuit – Toames Square Belle, by Market Square), Olive Broderick for the thoroughbred KMS Timeless (eight-year-old stallion by Watermill Swatch – Oh Jackie, by Zaffaran) and Marjorie Hardiman for the pony Creganna Milady (five-year-old ISH mare by Koro D’Or – Prospect Suzy, by Tulira Robuck).

The rider awards were presented to: Katie Gibbons (pony), Godfrey Gibbons (junior), Conor Leahy (young rider), Becky Scott (senior), Caoimhe Doherty (amateur) and Oisin McDonagh (newcomer).

The team award was presented to Eva Murray, Conor Dunlop, Conor Leahy and Zara Walsh while the outstanding achievement award was presented to Mags and Frank Kinsella for breeding Rioghan Rua and to Cathal Daniels for all his achievements with the mare.

Well done to the hardworking committee who all put shoulders to the wheel to make the night happen and celebrate the achievements of the Western Region in 2022.