Camelot Award Winners Announced!

The West Leinster Region’s first ever ‘Camelot’ Awards took place Saturday 23rd of January at Killashee House Hotel in Naas. The evening, which played host to 135 attendees, was a great success. Regional chairperson, Caroline Broadley welcomed everyone to the venue and thanked the regions sponsors – John Moore, Mary Kane of Toberton Lodge stables and Deirdre Kane of Gain dog feeds.

After a Buffet dinner, the presentation of prizes for the recent JP Moore consultancy autumn dressage and show  jumping leagues began. Sponsor John Moore and the regional committee handed out more than 80 trophies and rosettes to prize winners, who walked up the red carpet to collect their prize. Photographer Peter White and his wife Bernie were on hand to picture the winners receiving their prizes.

Next up were the Camelot awards. Presented by sponsors Mary Kane of Toberton Lodge stables and her daughter Deirdre of Gain Dog Feeds, winners were presented with a mini Oscar’s style statue in 10 different categories. First up was the ‘Club of the year award’ which went to Killcarrick riding club. This Kildare based club had great success last year both regionally and nationally and are known for holding several excellent shows each year in the region. ‘Secretary of the Year’ went to Trish Buckley from Calliaghstown riding club. Trish has often been described as ‘the oracle’ in the region for her vast knowledge of all riding club rules and her willingness to always lend help or advice to others. Trish is also famous in the region for her love of a good cup of tea and of a picnic at shows.  ’Member of the Year’ went to Lorna Keogh from Greenhills riding club. Lorna was nominated by her club and the region for her dedication and hard work in organising several social occasions within the region and her willingness to help and encourage newer club members. The winner of ‘Horse of the Year’ was Picasso, a talented Dutch gelding owned by Aoife D’Arcy of Greenhills riding club who sadly passed away suddenly last year from a rare bone condition.

In the ‘Dog of the Year’ category there were two winners – ‘Big Dog of the Year’ and ‘Small dog of the Year’. Big dog of the year went to Rashka, owned by Fiona Furey of Killcarrick riding club. Rashka famously took a wander this year on the day of the dressage championships only to be found ten days later 4 miles from home having been looked after by a kind stranger. Flipper, a well known character from Calliaghstown riding club was the winner of the small dog award. Known by many as ‘that cute dog who will fetch anything for hours and hours’  flipper strolled into the yard many years ago and decided to make it his home.

The ‘Rider of the Year’ award recognised the person that had done their club and region proud through hard work, dedication and performance throughout the year. Winner Anthony Byrne from Calliaghstown riding club had a brilliant year in 2009, winning both the open show jumping and derby classes at the National show jumping championships. Anthony is always on hand to give everyone a hand from warming up club members, schooling horses and even parking horseboxes! The ‘Most Improved Rider’ award looked at which rider had shown the most improvement in their riding in 2009. Winner Anita Ward from Calliaghstown riding club began the year as a first time horse owner and a nervous advanced primary rider. Through hard work behind the scenes and determination Anita finished the year winning the Advanced Primary show jumping league and upgrading to Intermediate.

 ’Volunteer of the Year’ aimed to reward the people without whom a show simply could not go on and had two winners on the night. Both were nominees who stood out not only for the willingness to help out their club at competitions, but for the fact that they regularly volunteered to help out at shows they were not even riding in! Volunteer of the year went to Elspeth Ohle from Calliaghstown riding club and Deirdre Kane from Greenhills riding club.

The final award of the night was the ‘Person of the Year’ category. Sadly the winner of this award was not there in person but certainly was in spirit. Linda Moore of Moyglare riding club sadly passed away in December after a long battle with cancer. Linda was regional treasurer and a friend to all. The regional committee were honoured to have Linda’s parents and sister present on the night and to present the award to her husband John. The Camelots ended with a pictorial and musical tribute to Linda and some heartfelt words from John Moore.

The regional committee would like to thank all who attended on the night, their sponsors and the fantastic staff of Killashee House Hotel for helping to make the first ever Camelots a great success.

West Leinster Region Camelot Award Winners

 Club of the Year – Killcarrick Riding Club

• Secretary of the Year – Trish Buckley (Calliaghstown Riding Club)
• Member of the Year  – Lorna Keogh (Greenhills Riding Club)
• Horse of the Year – Picasso (Aoife D’Arcy of Greenhills Riding Club)
• Big Dog of the Year – Rashka (Fiona Furey of Killcarrick Riding Club)
• Small Dog of the Year – Flipper (Calliaghstown Riding Club)
• Rider of the Year – Anthony Byrne (Calliaghstown Riding Club)
• Most Improved Rider – Anita Ward (Calliaghstown Riding Club)
• Volunteer of the Year – Elspeth Ohle (Calliaghstown Riding Club) & Deirdre Kane (Greenhills Riding Club)
• Person of the Year  – Linda Moore (Moyglare Riding Club)