Linda Moore, who sadly passed away in December, was posthumously awarded the Person of the Year award at the Association of Irish Riding Clubs Lancelot Awards last Saturday [30th January 2010].

The announcement received a standing ovation from the members present at the Heritage Golf & Spa Resort in Killenard, Co. Laois.

Linda was an enthusiastic and loyal member of Moyglare Riding Club and was an inspiration to all members in her club and region.
Linda showed great courage and bravery in light of her illness and gave encouragement to everyone.

As well as being the regional treasurer, dressage campaigner and regional committee watchdog, Linda also continued to compete as often as possible, winning the advanced primary section of the regional spring show jumping league last year on her beloved Woodstock Samuel.

Linda’s husband John accepted the award posthumously.   The regional spring and autumn show jumping leagues are being renamed in her honour for the next five years.

A total of five awards were presented on the day with four of those being decided by a new public vote whereby clubs were given one vote per category.

The overall Lancelot Award went to current Broomfield chairperson, Enda Guthrie, who has been involved with the Association since its inception in 1973.

Although a latecomer to the sport, only taking it up at the age of 43 after a successful career as a rally driver, Edna has remained actively involved with the local equestrian scene in Wicklow.  It was this commitment and contribution which led the Executive Committee to recognise her achievements.

Meanwhile, Gillian Hennessy proved a popular recipient of the Club Secretary of the Year Award.

The Thomastown & District secretary was recognised for her enthusiasm, organisational skills and her helpful and motivational spirit.

The Club of the Year Award went to Carne Riding Club for their recent achievements.  The Wexford based club which previously won the title in 2007, has grown from strength to strength over the past few years.

The club’s competitive achievements reached a peak in last year when it won the team show jumping championship and was second in the team dressage championship.

Killcarrick’s Caroline Broadley picked up the Club Member of the Year award for her active involvement in the west leinster region through her roles previously as secretary and currently as chairperson over the past number of years.

During this time, the region has gone from strength to strength.  Broadley has been described as the glue which holds the regional committee together at a professional and personal level.

The Lancelot Awards are presented annually by the Association of Irish Riding Clubs to recognise the sterling efforts of its members who regularly go beyond the call of duty in organising or helping at club, regional or national level.

In a change to previous years, Clubs voted for this year’s winners with each club allocated one vote in each of the four categories.