AIRC

NER Awards Nominations 2010

Horse of the Year:
Mr Chat – Border Counties
Mr Chat has been competing with many rider for Border Counties Riding Club for at least 10 years. He has taken part in all three disciplines over the years with great success. We hope we‟ll see him out and about for many more!

Cloncaw Chief – Cloncaw
For his ability to go from riding school horse to then compete for different people at different levels in all disciplines week after week. Cloncaw Chief is not just a handsome chap, he is a gentleman and a true Riding Club Horse.

Petit Daniel – Milestone Lodge
This little horse is a superstar – he has brought his owner Noel Cullen from Primary to AP where they are always in the ribbons. He is the most versatile horse in the region and can turn his hoof to any discipline with both Noel and Gail who competes him at intermediate level.
His moment of fame on television last year hasn‟t gone to his head and it was a pleasure to have Noel‟s whoops of joy crossing the finish line at the National ODE having had an enjoyable clear round.
Dan is the ideal riding club horse, competing in all disciplines and across two different grades; he can turn his hoof to anything. He will complete a steady round in AP showjumping with Noel and then in Intermediate with Gail he is almost unbeatable against the clock!
2010 has been a very successful year for Dan, with placings too numerous to mention. He has a wonderful temperament and is a joy to watch. Dan is a horse anyone would love to own.

FCD Touch of Class (Irish) – Ashbrook
John Gavin‟s mareThis horse has gone strength to strength this season, doing very well in our regional competition and finishing on a high wining the advanced intermediate National One Day event.

Megan – Cheval
Megan owned by Cheval‟s member Enda Monk has gone from strength to strength and this year has been an exceptional year for her and her jockey Laura Carrick making her one of the regions success stores for 2010.
Megan started her competitive career in 2008 in the Riding Club B classes & has quickly progressed through the ranks to the Advanced Intermediate level. This year she has represented her club to the highest level winning the Advanced Intermediate Showjumping League, Killossery Spring Show and NER Spring Show to name but a few as well as representing the region and gaining placings in all AI showjumping classes at the festival along with wins at the Ashwood Summer Show and Bel Air‟s Summer Show – she has proved to be more than a one trick pony and also gained placing‟s in working hunter & dressage classes.
With all she has achieved in 2010 it is easy to forget she is just a 6yr old having equalled the performances of some horses double her age. Although she can be a typical mare at times in 2010 My Foxy Lass rarely returned to the yard without a ribbon of some colour. To finish off her season she romped home in fine style at the SOCK Team Challenge to win the title for her team. She is a solid performer and has done her owner, jockey, club & region proud in 2010.

Hector - Broadmeadow
We nominate Hector as 2010 Horse of the year. Hector is the face of Broadmeadows RC - A true all rounder, he enjoys great success when partnered by his lovely owner Yvonne.
Hector has tried it all, be it galloping XC at various events throughout the country or taking part in many a SJ team challenge.
Hector is a perfect example of a riding club horse – safe, sound and lots of fun!

Henry - Cavallo
Owned by Linda Manning. We nominate Linda Manning‟s horse Henry from Cavallo. Henry who officially retired this year competed at eh RDS in the AIRC team SJ camps in August and put on a great performance.
Some of our members met Linda in the early part of the Summer and Henry was being retired according to Linda when we spoke in the morning yet by the afternoon he had jumped a double clear, a few weeks later went on to win the X-jump at Killossery and then qualified at the regional SJ qualifier. Which makes us think that Henry heard Linda saying she wanted to retire him and he wasn‟t prepared to cash in on his pension just yet!
Henry has been a great RC horse, there is very few old and wise soldier horses left in the riding club. He has been a great support to Linda over the years and is a great character. We really feel that he needs to finish off his career in style and achieve the Horse of the Year awards 2010.



Person of the Year:

Bernie Foley – Cheval
Bernie Foley deserves this award for her years of loyalty, enthusiasm, drive and zest for the enjoyment of the amateur side of the equine industry, She supports all riding club shows and can often be seen competing on the same day that she is also officiating as dressage judge. Bernie also provides dressage training to her club members and at regional training days where she enthusiastically shares her expertise and knowledge with members of all grades equally.
Bernie and her fabulous horse Smartie are always immaculately turned out and are great role models for all.
Heather Camblin – Castle Leslie
Heather has been a fantastic addition to the region. She is always eager to help anyone in the region who needs a dig out and always does so with a smile on her face.
She has provided great entertainment as a judge in the region at all shows that she has adjudicated at. Her good humour is infectious and it is very hard to be in her company without it rubbing off on you. Heather always reminds us what being in a riding club is all about.

Kevin McGuiness – Copperfield
We wish to nominate Kevin McGuinness as person of the year as to us Kevin is an all round AIRC ambassador. Be it a competitor, volunteer, judge or organiser, Kevin has done it all through-out the years and he continues to do so accompanied by his famous laugh! A great source of advice, Kevin is often seen as the “go to” man for many RC issues.
Above all else Kevin has a gift for putting people at ease, never afraid to laugh at himself or make light of a situation, he instils confidence in riding Club members and encourages everyone around him. Kevin is totally committed to the AIRC, at all levels, Club, regional and national.
He gives up endless time and travels around the country to attend meetings, all with the hope of making the AIRC the best it can be. A true horseman and an immense asset of the NER and AIRC alike, to us Kevin is our person of the year 2010.

Una McGettigan – Copperfield
Una is a long standing member of the riding club in the North East Region. Una had a very bad accident a year and a half ago which left her in a serious condition but she has since made a fantastic recovery and is back in the saddle.
During Una‟s recovery period it did not stop her attending shows on foot as support to all the other members in the region. Una knows nearly every member in the region and probably knows better their horses as well as everyone‟s parents. She is a great support to everyone always encouraging them and chatting, she will be on hand to help with anything – calm your nerves, tighten your girth or hold your horse!
Una has had some great success with her trusty horse „Guinness‟ this summer with many placings in working hunter. She is an inspiration to everyone and to anyone whom has had a riding accident in what she has overcome in the past year. Always with a smile on her face and a big hello for everyone. Una is a fan of nearly everyone‟s horses ;) whether good or bold.
Una missed out on this award last year and we feel that she 110% deserves to be recognised this year for this award in terms of the bravery and determination she has displayed over the last year, her support to others and overall being a great friend to so many members in the region both two legged and four legged.

So Una as a big fan of U2 **** Riding Club would like to "get on their boots‟ "find what their looking for‟ and vote Una ‟the sweetest thing‟ and the "One‟ to win person of the year on "This beautiful day‟

Nuala Staffords – Cavallo
Nuala is one of the region‟s stalwarts. She is always on hand to help & offer her advise and this year took on the role of sourcing dates and venues for the North Eastern Region Showjumping League.
Nuala is seen at nearly every show in the region and is always willing to give a hand. She and her club do a super job at arranging the NER Spring Show and Nuala is firm favourite with bringing in sponsors.
This year Nuala was seen out and about with her new mount and she gained some very credible placings including being part of the winning NER Showjumping Qualifier Team and going on to represent the region in the RDS. Nuala is a true Riding Club member and an asset to the NER.

Cormac ORourke – Gap of the North
Cormac has done a great job this year and we hope that his successor will follow on in his foot steps. Well done Cormac


Club Member of the Year:

Heather Camblin – Castle Leslie
Heather is always unfailingly cheerful. She is always encouraging to everyone competing before and after a competition. As a club secretary, Castle Leslie Shows are extremely well run. She goes out of her way to make sure that everything is set up correctly and to be as helpful as possible. Nothing seems to be too much trouble including driving for over 2 hours to attend regional meetings.

Vincent Doyle – Cavallo
Vincent represents all that the riding club is about. We are delighted to see him return back to the riding club.

Claudine Kerr – Cheval
We are nominating Claudine as member of the year as she, to us stands out as the member of our region who attends all shows with a smile. Herself and her lovely horse Miss Tequila are now competing and doing well as advanced Intermediate dressage. Claudine is helpful to other regional members and is always on hand to help out anyone who is stuck for transport or a groom!

Laura Carrick – Cheval
Laura is the only member of the riding club that I can say hand on heart that I have seen compete in every riding show that I have attended this year. She attends whatever is on in the region come hail, rain or shine. She does this with more than one four legged friend on many occasions may I add, It is great to see people like this in our region who are so willing to support whatever is going on in the region.
She also works very hard within her own club when they are organising shows and has done a great job in her role on the regional committee. Hats off to you missus!

Sarah Richardson – Boyneside
We would like to nominate Sarah Richardson from Boyneside as club member of the year. Always smiling and always ready to help in anyway she can, Sarah defines the spirit of the AIRC Sarah is extremely encouraging to all fellow riding club members, always there with a word of support or a “well done” after a good day.
An active member of “team Richardson” Sarah is usually partnered by her loyal mount Harvey and she can usually be found at any event throughout the country that offer an exciting XC course.
Sarah is a person who enjoys her AIRC adventures and makes the most of the day that is in it. A wonderful friend, who is never too busy to say hello, to us Sarah in Club Member of he Year!!

Aishling Bradwell – Cheval
Aisling Bradwell from Cheval riding club is a true club member. She is a great sport – competes on a regular basis at all shows and does very well with her horse Buddy, she is always on the side-lines cheering on everyone else.
She has been a riding club member for a number of years and shows support and encouragement towards her fellow club members and members in other clubs. She is a very active member of Cheval Riding Club and is often seen on hand organising Cheval shows with the rest of their enthusiastic committee members. Aishling is always willing to give a hand, she worked very hard this year organising the Sock team challenge a very worthy charity which cause is very close to the members of Cheval riding club.
Aishling always offers her help whenever asked and even when not asked. She shows the team spirit, support, encouragement and etiquette of a true riding club member.

Lisa Kennedy – Coolquay
We would like to nominate Lisa for the Club Member of the Year award because Lisa has done a fantastic job of climbing to the top of the Red Mills leader board. Lisa has shown her true dedication & commitment as she has travelled all over Ireland competing with both horses. She competes at every show that she can possibly make it to and always participates with a "fair play" attitude. Besides the Red Mills league, Lisa has won several other Riding Club competitions during the year and as a club we are very proud of Lisa and privileged to call her a member.

Debbie Larkin – Silver Spurs
Debbie has only recently join the airc but has taken to the rc scene like a duck to water. She is a real club member not only helping with her our club but at any airc event which she travels to. Debbie will compete but gets involved with the duties of the day and will lend a hand to anyone that needs it.
She lost her beloved cob at Christmas last year but has picked herself up and has started to work with her new stead and is gaining confidence each day. It has being a hard year for her but Debbie shows what a real club members is and is there good or bad weather helping when she can.

Michael Moore – Ashbrook
Michael Moore is a keystone in the region. His knowledge & wisdom is second to none. Always on hand to offer his advice you can always be guaranteed Michael will give you his honest & valuable opinion & his training at the NER dressage clinic proved invaluable for all who attended.
Michael is also a keen competitor & with his super mare Guaranteed Gold he secured the Mare‟s Championship title for the region at this year‟s festival long with a host of other showjumping & dressage wins & placings throughout the year.
Michael is an asset to any club & one the region are proud to call their own.

Club of the Year:
Broadmeadows
Broadmeadows through determination and enthusiasm returned Xcountry training back into the region. They organised a fantastic training day and meet the needs of all grades across the board. They identified a gap in the training schedule and what was on offer in and around the region and gave regional members a very well planned out day. Everyone who participated in the training day wants more and their enthusiasm in turn has made more people enthusiastic for more XCountry training.
Broadmeadows are a spirited club, with friendly members and members who will help anyone out.

Cheval
Cheval deserves this nomination once again for their unequalled enthusiasm to all things riding club. Their shows are always great to attend, with members made feel very welcome by their friendly members and helpers.
While they have won this award at regional level for the past few years they can not be equalled for their contribution and fairly deserve to win again!

WE nominate Cheval as club of the year. One of the largest clubs in the NER, Cheval are continually organising events and trying to improve and develop existing competitions. They have a large group of members who attend a number of shows through the region and the AIRC in general.
The Cheval crew are always on hand to help and are more than willing to take on a challenge when needed. They seem to embody the spirit of the AIRC, a fun, active and welcoming club – they are our choice for club of the year 2010.

Kilronan
We nominate Kilronan RC for club of he year, Kilronan this year ran a very successful showing and working hunter show which was most enjoyable, well run, great prizes, good standard of judging, fabulous sunshine and rocking tunes throughout the day.
Kilronan members are so friendly and encouraging they travel the length and breath of the country travelling to shows and also travelling to other clubs shows, showing great support, their members will always come up to the hosting club at the end of the day or send a nice email to say thanks for a great day. They are a close knit club who are all very close friends and they really emphasise what the riding club is all about. Their members are so supportive to other clubs and their members and encourage them all the time, Kilronan although a small club yet growing each year deserve this recognition of all their hard work, effort and support to all clubs in the region.

Kilronan are enthusiastic supporters of other clubs shows and activates. They ran a very successful show this summer, working hard to make sure everyone had a great day. They actually encourage their members to improve their riding skills by supporting all the training activities in the region. They are hard working and always ready to fulfil their volunteering duties.

Ashbrook
Ashbrook have run several very successful shows throughout the year. It is clear their members have put a lot of hard work in preparing for the shows, and have worked very well on days of the shows to ensure that they have run smoothly. Their members are also very friendly and helpful. Well done guys!

Cavallo
Cavallo represent the ethos of the Riding Club of enjoying equestrianism to the max. The Club has a great spirit & friendly atmosphere. Cavallo have for a number of years jointly & successfully run the NER Spring Show & they between them have a wealth of knowledge & information. Their members can be seen @ nearly every show & whether it be helping to put up fences or arranging dates for the NER league their members are always on hand to help.
This year the club have a number of placings & represented the NER at the RDS Team Showjumping finals. We believe Cavallo deserve this award for their year‟s of consistency, hard work & team efforts.


Secretary of the Year:

Jane Whitaker – Copperfield
Jane is an outstanding club secretary. She is on hand at every show to support other clubs and always help anyone who needs it. Jane is very generous with her time and shows her commitment to the AIRC always. She is always up to date with all matters AIRC and is always at the end of the phone to answer any questions. Never too busy to stop and chat or offer a word of advice Jane is our club secretary of the year.

We nominate Jane for her riding club spirit, her contributions both at a club, regional and national level. It is not easy to juggle all the commitments Jane has to her own club the region and nationally to the AIRC.

Aisling Bradwell – Cheval
We’re nominating Aisling Bradwell as secretary of the year because of all the hard work she puts in – not only does she keep her own members informed of what is happening but she is also responsible for Cheval’s website and is always to be seen helping out at the shows run by her club. Aishling Bradwell's task as secretary is not for the faint hearted. With 90 members to look after & keep updated its nearly a full time job. Aishling takes her job as secretary very serious & goes above & beyond the call of duty. She is fair, supportive, objective, encouraging, reliable, organised & competitive.
She ensured the Cheval shows were organised to within an inch of her life & her shining personality has attracted many new sponsors to the club. Aishling gives 100% commitment to the tasks she takes on & she excels in every aspect. Her ability to multitask is second to none. Aishling is an asset to any club & the region are all the better for having her as a member.

Lisa Mc Laughlin – Ashbrook
Lisa is just coming to the end of her first term as regional secretary and she has done an amazing job. AS a club we have never been so informed of upcoming events, regional matters, national AIRC matters before. Lisa has set up a facebook page for the region which is the way things are moving. She has done fantastic work organising the regional qualifiers as well as arranging managing and co-ordinating the volunteers at national competitions. Regional secretaries do not get the credit that they deserve. It is a very time consuming and committed job.

Lisa is a great support at all the shows to her own club AShbrook as well as other clubs. She always has a smile on her face and a camera to hand for photos. We wish to acknowledge Lisa‟s hard work this year. We feel that the spirit of the riding club in 2010 has been fantastic and everyone has been kept so up todate as to all the happenings in the region as a result of Lisa‟s hard work along with the rest of the committee.

Lisa took over the role as regional secretary this yer with gusto. WE now have a facebook page and all members are kept up to date with all happenings within & outside the region. She managed to get a handle on all of the duties involved and dealt with everything that came her way and deserves recognition for her hard work.

Aishling Bradwell – Cheval
Aishling has worked very hard all year ensuring that the Cheval‟s shows are run smoothly. This is no mean feat considering the amount of shows that Cheval have taken on to run every year. It really can‟t be an easy task.
Aishling is also very approachable and very efficient when we are chasing her with our queries.

Emma McQuaile – Castle Hill
Emma is a hardworking and dedicated secretary of Castlehill Riding Club. She is a constant supporter of not only Castlehill shows but also other shows in the region. She did an excellent job with the help of her fellow club members of organising the Castlehill Combined training show and is always willing to offer a helping had at shows run by other clubs.
Emma has a friendly and approachable manner and is always seen smiling from either the sidelines or from her super little horse French Tiffany. Emma is a valuable member of the Castlehill club and the NER region.