Wayne Roycroft, Neale Lavis OAM and Shane Rose at the Equestrian NSW Awards Night
On Tuesday night at the Waterview Convention Centre, Homebush, riders left their jod’s behind, got glammed up and let their hair down, for night of celebration at the Equestrian NSW Awards Night 2011. The six EA recognised disciplines were represented, which included Carriage Driving, Saddlehorse, Jumping, Dressage, Vaulting and of course Eventing (and I’m sure the eventing crowd cheered the loudest!)
The Eventing Athlete of the Year was presented to Shane Rose, who could not wipe the smile from his face. No one was sure if the smile was for the award or for his wife, Niki, who he proudly told everyone was going to give birth to their first child in a few weeks time. Shane finished over 30 points ahead of second placed Christine Bates thanks to a successful season on a variety of good horses. Those horses should stand him in a good position looking towards London and beyond. But for now Shane is heading for Squad School, Albury then New Zealand where he is part of the Trans Tasman team.
The Eventing Horse of the Year was Delago, ridden by Christine Bates and jointly owned by Christine and her husband Mathew Bates (pictured above). Last year Delago really came into his own and made everyone stand up and take notice when he won the Sydney CCI3*. Christine and Delago will be joining Shane on the trip across the Tasman as they are also part of the Australia versus New Zealand event.
Isabelle Bowdith-McIntyre (pictured above) took out the Eventing Young Athlete of the Year award. Together with her horse Grandios, Isabelle finished on 34 points with Hayley Frielick and My Happiness four points behind in second place. The other young rider to be recognised was Taylor Robertson who won the Junior Pre Novice rider award.
Taylor Robertson - Junior Pre Novice rider of the year
Also included in the nights presentations were the Gow-Gates Services to Sport Award given to those who make a huge contribution to their sport in a variety of ways. In the eventing category the well deserved recipient was Carolyn James who spends much of her time attending events as a FEI official or FEI judge or any of the other jobs that she is well qualified to do. Carolyn gave a speech recognising that all equestrian sports are very much a team effort and she enjoys being part of a great team.
Carolyn James
The overall NSW Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to eventing’s Andrea Webb (pictured below) who, like Carolyn, thanked all the other people that she had the pleasure of working with.
Andrea Webb and her friend and Silver Hills event organiser, Bronwyn Doong
The ever popular host for the night was well known broadcaster, Garry Wilkinson, who has supported equestrian events for many years, while other notable faces included John Egan of the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation, Bert Clarke, Ann Marie Gordon, Kathryn Thomson and Will Macarthur of Gow Gates Insurance, Haylie Martin from Horsezone, Dr Derek Major, ENSW Chair, President of EA, Paul Cargill and Olympic medalists and equestrian legends, Neale Lavis OAM and Wayne Roycroft.
Mary Dutton and her grand-daughter, Jaymee Dutton
During the evening Garry Wilkinson paid tribute to those we had lost in 2011 including Peter Dutton who ran the Nyngan/Mid Western one day event for many years, Bob Brook who built wonderful show jumping courses for both pure show jumping and eventing showjumping and dressage rider Judy Mackay.
Stuart and Karen Tinney were among the guests
