BILLY Twomey took the International Rider of the Year Award at the 2011 Show Jumpers' Ball in Killashee House Hotel, Naas tonight (Saturday) after a glittering year that saw him win numerous international Grands Prix, culminating in victory at the Rolex Top Ten competition in Paris earlier this month.

The Rolex Top Ten featured the world's top ten riders, and the 34 year-old Corkman produced a foot-perfect double clear round to claim the 50,000 euro top prize and the coveted Rolex trophy aboard Sue Davies's mare Tinka's Serenade.

The 2011 Irish National Show Jumping Awards also saw the European Gold Medal-winning Children on Horses team take the Team Of The Year Award, under the management of Comdt. John Ledingham, who personally also won the Coach of the Year Award and the 2011 Hall of Fame Award.

The Special Achievement Award went to the Clarke family of Cavan Equestrian Centre, while the Show Of The Year Award was won by the Horseware Ireland Louth County Show.

Michael Duffy picked up the Young Rider of the Year accolade, and Alexander Butler the Rookie of the Year, while the Amateur of the Year Award went to Martin Wilson.

The Groom of the Year title went to Oonagh Kennedy, and the Ballymaloe Ladies' Award was won by Sinead Thompson.
 

Billy Twomey, International Rider of the Year (top) with Team Of The Year, European Gold Medallists Children on Horses team of Cormac Hanley, Thomas Harty, Tim MacDonagh, Kerry Taggart and Hannah Smith pictured with Team Manager Comdt. John Ledingham, who also won Coach of the Year and the Hall of Fame award.