Having down the years attended some 40 The Irish Field awards functions I have to say that last week’s gala event at the K Club was the best yet. The quality of recipients surpassed anything I had previously experienced.

As one award winner after another came forward it was noted that at the very highest level of international competition they had excelled to a degree that required not only exceptional natural skill but also a great deal of commitment. Olympic qualifications, European Championships, top 10 world rankings were all mentioned as achievements across show jumping, dressage and eventing.

Show jumping stars

It was Eddie Macken who first took the senior show jumping trophy back in 1974. A very worthy successor this time round was Offaly’s Darragh Kenny who possesses the same kind of pure natural talent and cool determination that Eddie had.

His stellar performances in top flight five star events have now boosted him into the elite ranks of the world top 10. Individual European Pony Champion Max Wachman took the junior show jumping trophy.

Dressage inspiration

Proving once again that Irish riders are becoming an ever growing force in the ranks of international dressage, Kildare’s Judy Reynolds has battled her way to within just 50 points of a place in the world’s top 10.

As a team rider her scintillating test at the European Championships at Rotterdam on Vancouver K helped the Irish squad attain Ireland’s first ever Olympic dressage team qualification. Judy fully deserved this, her seventh win.

Eventing prowess

Carrying hopes of Ireland’s first Olympic eventing medal, Galway’s Cathal Daniels again starred in 2019 with the Irish bred mare Rioghan Rua. He took individual silver at the European Championships in Germany and is now ranked 11th in the world.

The Fagan family of Mullingar Equestrian Centre were out in force to see young Chloe take the Junior eventing Trophy. There could be no stronger argument for support of the Irish Sport Horse sector than these superb award winners.

Margie’s magic

A stalwart in Irish horse sport reporting, Margie McLoone was honoured at last week’s awards for her lifelong contribution to equestrianism. Down the years, accompanied by her sister Anne she could be seen at ringside or in the press rooms of just about every phase of the sport. Be it point-to–point, eventing, showing, hunter trials or show jumping, Margie would be there quietly gathering the facts and results. But Margie not only reported on the horses and their riders. She has had a deep and abiding interest in their welfare as well – horses are her friends and her recording of their achievements is always clothed in a beautiful love of them and a respect for those that care for them.