28th March 2007
Dear Members
Now in its 6th year On A Mission continues to grow from strength to strength.
Our aims today have moved on somewhat from when we started, though many of the original aims are still very relevant.
Aims of On A Mission:
• To promote the sport of Eventing.
• To provide a voice for All Owners on the Board of Eventing Ireland.
• To raise the profile of Owners.
• To provide hospitality for members at specific events.
• To organise trips for supporters and owners to major events.
• To support our elite riders.
• To encourage retention of our top horses.
• To provide funding for training.
• To Support Irish Events.
• To continue our excellent working relationship with Eventing Ireland.
Slowly but surely we are placing ticks beside each of the above boxes.
Within the Board of Eventing Ireland all owners are now represented by an elected member. I am honoured to have been elected to represent Owners on the EI Board of Directors at the recent AGM. Should any owner have an issue they would like addressed then please feel free to either contact me or approach me at an event.
For the last number of years we have recognised the achievements of our members through the OAM Owners League and the OAM Owner/Rider League. These leagues help to raise the profile of owners within our sport.
The 2006 Winners were:
Winning Owner - John Craig with Kilrodan Abbott
Winning Owner/Rider - Denise O'Brien with Tommy B Good.
These awards are presented annually at our AGM and Dinner. The 2006 AGM was held at the Keadeen Hotel in November and our after dinner speaker was Jessica Harrington.
Last week saw OAM host a hospitality function at the first of the Bluegrass Super League series of events in Ballindenisk. This will continue at each of the Super League venues and all members are welcome. Keep an eye open for hospitality at the home Internationals also.
Our group trips to championships have become legendary. Last year we travelled with our largest ever group to the World Games at Aachen. This was an incredible success. Our hotel was located in Valkenberg, a lovely Dutch town with masses of restaurants and bars, most of which were sampled by our 50 strong group during the week. Those that did not wish to drive availed of the daily courtesy bus to and from the airport and competition venue. On the non competition days large groups headed to Maastricht, just 15 mins by train, for a day of sightseeing.
The best way by far to enjoy Eventing Championships or major Internationals is to join with a bunch of like minded individuals for course walks, lively talks and debates and make new friends and enjoy their company in the evenings over a lovely meal and a pint. This is the reason On A Mission exists.
In support of our potential team riders last year, in conjunction with Eventing Ireland, we provided a training bursary of €6,000.00 for a new initiative - The Young International Rider Awards. These bursaries were launched at the 2005 AGM following a proposal from the floor. They are aimed at the 18–28yr old age group, and in conjunction with Eventing Ireland's Training & Performance Team the rules were drawn up. This was a tremendous success and the eventual 2006 winners were:
Elizabeth Power riding Kilpatrick River who won first prize of €3,000.
Katie O' Sullivan and Shannondale Que were second and received €2,000.
Jonathon Hagan with Skerne Makanally finished third and received €1,000.
This League will run again in 2007.
Retention of horses for Irish riders has long been identified as a significant factor for our future success on the international stage. With this in mind the Going for Gold Club was launched at our AGM. This has been received with great enthusiasm and support. For further information on this you can contact Gerry Leahy on 087 2555116 or gleahy@leahyproperty.ie .
Once again OAM sponsored the prize for the Best Event at the 2007 Media Awards.
This year the award went to a very deserving Tattersalls for their superb effort with their very first CCI*/**.
In 2006 we also supplied all International Teams and their grooms with OAM Polo Shirts and baseball caps.
OAM continues to support the direction in which Eventing Ireland is going. Best wishes to the new Board for 2007. We would also like to wish Ada a long and happy retirement. Furthermore we wish Lars Christensson and his Team of Coaches, Trainers & Regional Co-Ordinators all the best and offer them the continued support of the Owners and Supporters group.
Already this year our membership numbers have passed last years total. This year will see more OAM activities than ever before. There has never been a better reason to join. A Gold Medal at the London Olympics in 2012 is our dream and we hope to bring OAM members on the trip of a lifetime to share in the realisation of that dream over the next 5 years.
Wishing you all the best for 2007, wherever your interests in Eventing lie.
Yours faithfully
Kieran Connors
Chairman.
