Pony riders honoured at SJI awards

As the pony show jumping season kick starts next month, the pony fraternity were reminded of their 2017 achievements at the annual SJI Pony Awards last Saturday night. Held at the Hodson Hotel in Athlone, there was a large attendance on the night with riders from every category receiving awards.

Awards were given to those who had delivered results on the national and international circuits. Proceedings began with the CWD Spring Tour, and as in previous years, the titles and the final rounds went down to the wire with the top three riders in each section awarded for their efforts.

In the 128cm section, Matthew Conlon was honoured with the first award. It was a good year for Tom Wachman who finished second in the 128cm section and third in the 138cm division. Wachman later added to his tally, when he picked up the award for leading rider in the 128cm Coolmore Stud Pony Premier and second in the 138cm league.

Kate Derwin, who finished second and third to John Murray in the 148cm CWD Pony Spring Tour league, was also awarded for her great performance at the National Championships when taking the honours in the 1.30m championship with Cul Ban Mistress.

Children on horses

In the CWD Children on Horses Spring Tour, Brian Kuehnle was awarded for his great performance over the course of the league. Kian Dore also had a great year and he picked up his first award as winner of the under 10 Coolmore Stud Pony Premier, as did James Derwin and Alice Wachman who finished second and third in the the league respectively. Dore was also the winner of the 128cm 1.10m with Kilcreene Basil at the National Championships.

Also accepting awards was the 138cm Coolmore Stud Pony Premier winner Francis Derwin Jnr. and the 148cm winner Ciaran Nallon.

A number of young Kilkenny riders received awards on the night, among them was Seamus Hughes Kennedy leading rider in the Starfinder with Keatingstown Hunky Dory, Isobel Sheehan and Flashdance were winners of the 128cm National Pony league and under 10 Discovery, while Emily Moloney and Magneto Cobra were the leading combination in the under 10 Springboard.

This year’s National Champions were also honoured, Senan Reape was the the under 10 Champion, the 128cm Champion was Katie Mcentee, the 138cm Champion was Francis Derwin Jnr. and the 148cm Champion was Kate Derwin.

RDS champions

One of the most coveted titles of the season, the RDS champions were honoured for their outstanding performances. Those riders were the 128cm champion, Tom Wachman (Parc Epic), the 138cm Champion Alex Finney (Dolly Du Carel), the 148cm champion Cian Goggins (Sligo Little James) and the 148cm six and seven-year-old winners. The leading six-year-old in the class was Orla Queally (Knockroe Clover Moore) and the overall class winner was Seamus Hughes Kennedy riding the Sharon Fitzpatrick-bred filly Keatingstown Hunky Dory. In the Children on Horses division, it was Max Wachman and Cesha Old that claimed this award.

Every year, we see new and upcoming riders demonstrate their talents and this year another group was recognised. Those up and coming in the under 10 section were Lauren Adams (Leinster), Harry Rush (Connaught), Jessica Baxter (Ulster) and Kian Dore (Munster). The Leading Rider at the Coolmore Pony Premier Final was also recognised and that was Amy-Leigh Mcauley.

European champions

As expected, the European gold medal-winning pony team of 2017 received a rapturous applause and the team members Abbie Sweetnam, Harry Allen, Ciaran Nallon, Kate Derwin and Seamus Hughes Kennedy were once again honoured for their achievements. Individual awards were presented to gold medal-winner Harry Allen and silver medal-winner Kate Derwin. Allen was also awarded the Special Achievement award and Kate Derwin received an award for her outstanding results in the European Youngsters.

Along with the European Championship teams the Home Pony International teams were also among the award winners. Those teams recognised were the gold, silver and bronze teams at Cavan, Wales and West, Scotland and South View.

International Rookie of the Year was named as 15-year-old Seamus Hughes Kennedy for his outstanding result when winning the FEI Jumping Trophy final in Mechelen with the 12-year-old mare, Cuffesgrange Cavalidam.

This year Cavan Home Pony International was honoured as the Standalone Show of the Year, while Centre of the Year went to Ballyrafter.

Note: Due to the large number of awards it was not possible to include all winners in this report. The full list of award winners is available from show jumping Ireland.