Waterford/Tipperary SJI Branch Awards Night was held in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan on Saturday 7th February 2015. There was a great crowd turn out on the night with many awards to get through after the meal. Frank Mulvhill the awards ceremony underway for his tenth time and he showed coverage of your riders based and competing successfully abroad Trevor & Shane Breen, Anthony Condon, Kevin Babbington, John Hickey, John Hickey, Thomas Ryan to name a few.
The first recipients of the awards sere the 128cm, 138cm and 148cm pony riders these awards were presented by Paddy O Donnell in recognition for their achievements in 2014 and their ages ranges from nine to sixteen years of age. Edmund Ryan got an award for competing in France early in the year. Three was special recognition for Charlotte Connors Kate Houlihan and Mark Moloney who qualified for the RDS on their ponies a competed very successfully at home and abroad during the year. Nicholas Connors got a special award after completing an amazing year being part of the Irish Squad to represent Ireland at the European Championships that were held in Millsreet last year and the team finished in second place. Then it went on to the young Riders and the following riders Tommy Harty, Laura Connors, Thomas Foran, Katei Reaburn, Emma Murphy and Darragh Ryan received special award for qualifying for the RDS in 2014 and competing very successfully during the showjumping year and also numerous more young riders received their awards for their achievements in 2014. Then it went on the Children ON Horses section where three worthy recipients received their awards Killian Ryan and Shane Moloney competed very successfully at home and abroad and both competed on ponies and horses and Shane being a National Champion on both Horses and Ponies in 2014 also Jack Ryan also received his award.
Then it went on the Amateurs these presentations were done by Robert Wallace who took up his new position aa PR for Showjuming Ireland in January and we wish him all the best in his new role. Special recognition was given to Joanna Penfold, Lauren Webster, Lorna Conroy and Laura Flynn receiving therl awards for qualifying and competing very successfully at the RDS and through out the year Pat Ronayne, Fran Mangan, Ger Penfold and Tom O Riordan getting recognition for their achievements. Then things moved on the Senior Riders first up was Francis Conors who is our Munster Champion and had great year and then our Senior Riders Liam O Meara, Seamus Hayes, Peter Moloney, Ehtan Ahearne, Gemma Phelan, Tadhg Beecher and Paddy O Donnell. There was a special presentation to Greg Broderick as he had a tremendous Year winning the 5yr, 6yr and the 7yr Finals at the RDS. Greg and the team at Ballypatrick Stables had a memorable year both at home and abroad and well to the all involved.
The next set of Awards was to acknowledge the Sponsor of The Carling King Pony League held at shows throughout the year and the sward was accepted by Marie Costelloe Hayes on behalf of The Equine Warehouse in Clonmel and we would like to Thank them for the great support over the year and are looking forward to their continued support in 2015. There were special presentations to Samantha Foley who won the 138cm section and was also join leading rider and to Jack Kelly from Waterford who won the 128cm final and Tristan Merrigan took the leading rider prize in e 128cm section.
The next presentation was to Richie Fitzgerald of Bunmahon Stud for their contribution to the breeding and production of horses over the years. This year there was a special prize for the best new show in the branch and this went to Cahir Charity Pony show and on hand to accept the award was Conor Maher who with a team of helpers put on a on a great show and hope to build on it for 2015. The Show of the Year this year was very deserving Dualla Show who put on very busy and successful show and supported many charities and local worthy causes Seamus Hayes accepted the award and we wish them all the best for the coming year.
The final presentation was to Tommy Veale for his contribution to and dedication the Sport as a pony owner, a course builder and he is always on hand to help out no matter how big the task. Tommy received a standing ovation as Frank read his biography. A great night was had by all and we would like to Thank The Park Hotel and the staff and to all the recipient’s and the organising committee for another successful occasion.