THE Bright Outlook memorial trophy, awarded each year by Richard and Nicky Nesbitt to the person who they regard best embraces the sportsman criteria and ethos, was presented at last Saturday night’s Northern Region awards ball to a stunned but delighted Samantha Dale, who returned to event riding this season following a 24-year break.

Dale, who runs a newsagents business in Carrickfergus and is a judge, safety officer and amateur competitor with Showjumping Ireland, competed the Irish Sport Horse mare Threeseas, a 2011 Ars Vivendi bay, who she bought as a three-year-old in Goresbridge.