THERE was great excitement on Saturday evening, as SJI Ulster Region held their annual pony awards dinner at Corick House Hotel, Clogher, Co Tyrone. The large function room was filled to capacity, with 399 in attendance, 171 of whom were children, who had been competing with their ponies over the past year and had secured placings and prizes at all levels. Attendees came from all over the country – including some from the Connaught Region, who had gone to great effort to attend Northern Region shows during the year, as well as coming along to the awards dinner.

Chloe Clarke, Alicia Kernan, Adam Adair and Alice Steele were among the Ballinroe Pony Premier prize winners, pictured with Dessie McFadden at the SJI Ulster Region Pony Awards \ Kyra Griffin

The number of awards on offer for Ulster Region pony riders has to be seen to be believed! Tables stretched the full width of the room, crammed with silverware – including hundreds of cups, shields and trophies… 641 in total, made up of 126 Perpetual Cups and 515 trophies, all gleaming thanks to the hard work of Aldyth Roulston and her amazing team of willing helpers.

Lap of honour

To add an extra bit of buzz this year, the adults were seated, the lights were dimmed, the spotlights and music came on, playing the Pony Awards anthem, while the children made their entrance and did a lap of honour round the room before taking their seats at the tables.

The soup was served, before Regional Pony Committee Chairman and compere for the evening, Andrew Thompson, invited Gareth McCombe, representing loyal and generous sponsor TRI Equestrian, up to the stage to present the awards for the TRI-sponsored Spring and Autumn Tours. These numerous awards recognised all ages and levels of ability, from 128 50cm competitors, right up to Children On Horses and Junior 1.10m/1.20m.

Tim Morton being presented with his cups and trophies from the 128 TRI Spring and Autumn Tours by TRI Equestrian NI manager, Gareth McCombe at the SJI Ulster Region Pony Awards \ Kyra Griffin

Once these awards were distributed, there was a bit of space made on the trophy tables and Gareth got to return to his seat. The main course was served, before another series of awards were presented by Gareth; the baton was then passed on to National Vice Chairman, Ulster Region Vice Chairman and National Pony Chairman, Dessie McFadden, who presented the National Pony Championships and the All-Ireland Interprovincial Final winners. Ulster Region chairman, Derek Reid presented the National League winners, as well as the hotly contested Pony Show of the Year to the Northern Indoor Pony Championships at Eglinton and the Pony Venue of the Year, which went to Castle Irvine, Necarne.

James Kernan presented the RDS awards and the FEI/Foreign Participation awards; Aldyth Roulston presented the Bob Sweeney Equine Series and Bree Rutledge presented the National Pony Champions, the RUAS Balmoral Under 10 winner and qualified awards.

There were some very happy children as they received their awards and, it has to be said, some very glamourous young ladies – in fact, Aldyth said at one point, as they were lining up for a group photo, “it’s like Miss Northern Ireland!”

Retiring riders pictured with Aldyth Roulston at the SJI Ulster Region Pony Awards \ Kyra Griffin

Aldyth and the Ulster Region committee make sure that no child goes home empty-handed; anyone who competes receives recognition of their efforts. This included 39 ‘Stars of the Future’; 105 Rising Stars; and 19 Retiring riders, who all received a trophy, not to speak of all the various league and championship winners throughout the year. Awards were also given to those who had participated in FEI and Home International competitions.

Equijump Pony Spring Tour prize winners pictured with Dessie McFadden, Adam Adair, Zoe Mellett, Cliodhna McEvoy, Chloe Clarke, Serena Brown and Niamh Devlin \ Kyra Griffin

Auction

With the awards tables depleted, auctioneer Tony Morning, who had travelled from Manorcunningham in Co Donegal, was invited up to the stage to commence the auction, which comprised of some incredible lots, very generously donated by numerous businesses and individuals and included hotel stays, equine hampers, some very nice tack, lessons with Daniel Coyle and Mikey Pender and much more! The auction made the fantastic sum of £15,950, which will be put to good use by the Ulster Region pony committee in the year ahead.

Aldyth Roulston, pictured with some of the Home Pony International prize winners at the SJI Ulster Region Pony Awards \ Kyra Griffin

Much to the delight of the children present, it was then time for the raffle… The award tables were filled once again – this time with toys, grooming kits, jewellery and more toys (which Aldyth starts buying as soon as one awards dinner is over, in anticipation of the next one!). There was more excitement as tickets were pulled out, names were called and winners collected their prizes.

The raffle ticket sales made the princely sum of £1,950, which again will be invested into Ulster Region pony activities.

Aldyth Roulston, pictured with Bob Sweeney Equine Ltd Future Champions Series winners, Caitlin Kelly, Bobby O’Keefe, Charlotte Nelson and Brooke Rafferty \ Kyra Griffin

Thanks

Aldyth would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who supported the auction lots, raffle prizes and so on, in particular Gareth McCombe, who generously gave the boys who helped to display the auction lots vouchers for TRI! Thanks must also go to all those who bid on the auction lots for their very generous bids. The members of the Events Committee also deserve a special mention for all the time and effort they put in to get everything organised for the night.

With the stage cleared once again, DJ Chris got the music started and the dancefloor was the place to be. Baby Shark proved particularly popular, filling the floor and really getting the party started!