A popular date on the show jumping calendar, the National Pony Awards at Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny, saw almost 400 people come together to celebrate the success of pony riders and children on horses in 2015.

Opening the evening was the SJI national chair of ponies, Liz Brennan, who congratulated the winners for their success and encouraged those that were not on the award list to continue their hard work.

The awards included the winners of the leagues, starting with the three top-placed riders in the CWD Spring Tour.

Awards were also presented to the winners in the Premier Series, Starfinder, national leagues, Discovery League, Springboard finals, Chillax League and winners at the Pony National Championships.

The under-10s provincial rising stars were honoured on the night. The Munster award winner was Liam Buckley, Timmy Brennan was awarded the Leinster region and the Ulster award went to Lucy Morton. Jason Foley had a tremendous year and he took his first award as winner of the 138cm Premier Series. Foley accepted his award for winner of the 138cm in Dublin and later won the leading pony rider award.

The RDS champions were also presented with awards. In the 128cm championships, Francis Derwin took the first award. In the 148cm six- and seven-year-old division, the top six-year-old award went to Maureen Miley and Jack McKeon while the top seven-year-old was awarded to Paddy Bligh’s Castlehill Lass, ridden by Robbie Clancy.

Winner of the Children on Horses Individual Championship at Dublin, Emma McEntee (Galwaybay Hummer) picked up her award, as did Marie Burke’s winning team of Charlotte Harding (Deepstring Tookanoo), Daniel Fitzgerald (Gucci Lady), Ciaran Nallon (Bully Fair Deal) and Charlotte Houston (Butuela). John Gallagher was awarded the Children on Horses rookie of the year accolade.

Winner of the final round of the CWD Children on Horses at Ard Chuain, Jack Ryan accepted his award, while Jennifer Kuehnle and Theo van Cauwenberge also stepped up to the podium.

It was particularly good night for the Children on Horses European champion Jennifer Kuehnle, who took the award for winning the 148cm championship in Dublin (Our Foreman). Along with national awards, she won the leading European Championships award while her teammates Jack Ryan, Isobel Fitzpatrick and Lee Carey took the Children on Horses European team event award.

The international rider in Pony Owners and Young Riders Charity Show Millstreet (CSIP) saw two riders picked up awards for their performances. In the CSIP, Abbie Sweetman claimed the award in the category along with the Ian Fearon perpetual shield for international rookie of the year. In the CSI-YP, it was Ciaran Nallon who took the honours.

Irish riders have an outstanding recorded in the Home Pony International and 48 recipients received awards for their achievements. Michael Pender’s impressive performance as a member of numerous Irish pony teams saw him pick up the leading international pony rider of the year while his mount Cul Ban Mistress, owned by Clive Swindell, was named as the leading Irish-bred pony of the year.

There was also a presentation to team manager Tom Slattery and a presentation to Keith Griffin, HSI pony chair.

Awards were also presented to the show of the year, Ballyfoyle Gymkhana in Co Kilkenny, while Maryville Equestrian Centre in Cork took the centre award.