The chairman, Dorinda Lady Dunleath, opened the meeting, welcoming those present and thanking the sponsors for their support.
She also thanked the hard-working committee for the successful events throughout the year and re-emphasised the importance of breeding from the right mare and was pleased to note that some breeders were already being much more selective about their breeding programmes, as demonstrated by the number of talented horses being bred in Northern Ireland.
The Honorary Secretary, Shirley Livingstone, outlined the activities of the past year and Honorary Treasurer, Dickson McGeown, summarised the Accountant's report.
Ruth Brown and John Robinson retired by rotation and were re-elected.
Results;
Show jumping
The Sheldon Cup (for International achievement] for 2009 was awarded to Wesley Creighton for breeding Cruise With Me this 1997 mare by Cruising out of the Laughtons flight mare Carrig Flight has jumped International Grand Prix and has been awarded one of the highest accolades jumping Nations Cup for Ireland.
This year The HBHBS awarded two young show jumpers with the talent spotting award.
Judith Sossick for her Limmerick mare Loughview Lou Lou after competing for Ireland in Lanaken 2008 and reaching the finals this mare has proved nearly unbeatable in the Guidam league and together with her young rider Connor Drain they have been selected to represent Ireland at the European Young riders Championships.
Secondly to Terry Shiels for breeding Kalico Bay out of the well known show jumping mare Missile C and sired by Limmerick this horse has had a tremendous recent run of form winning on the national and international circuit over £10,000 for his rider Tim Stockdale.

Eventing
The Breeders cup for International achievement was awarded to David Black for Glenhill Gold. This 10 year old skewbald stallion by Saracen Hill out of Travellers Gold has had a wonderful 2009 culminating with an 8th place in the 3 star world cup qualifier at Tattersalls and subsequently been selected to the long list for Ireland for the European Championships in France in the autumn.
The Dunvegan Cup for eventing Talent Spotting was awarded to Paddy Tiernan for Magennis by Limmerick out of the Zero Watt mare Inniskea. Ridden by Jim Newsam this young horse has been placed in international 2 star events in 2009 and was reserve horse for Le Lion 2008. The hope is for selection for the World Championships for Young eventers in 2009

Stallion Award
It was hardly a well kept secret that the award for the Northern Ireland Stallion contributing to the success of breeders in 2009 was awarded to William and Jane Collins for their stallion Limmerick. This 18 year old Holsteiner has flown the flag for performance breeding here for some time but 2008/2009 has seen him emerge into a breeding super star. With his oldest offspring being 10 years of age as they say the best may be yet to come and we all hope that local breeders will be rewarded for supporting the industry here.

Foal Award
The Sean Nugent Trophy for the winning foal at the 2008 Performance Foal Show was awarded to William Smyth for his Well Chosen out of a Limmerick mare. This foal won many prizes in 2008 and we await to see it in the performance area.
Of special note the winning foal at our first show The Parco bred by George Allen is now jumping with success with the Irish Army and they are hoping for great things in the future

Loose Jumping
The Neil Mathewson Rose bowl for the champion three year old at the 2008 competition was awarded to Ronnie Hollinger for his home bred Creevagh for Sure by Creevagh Ferro. This was the second year running that Ronnie has won this championship and we wish him great success competing with this young horse.
The HBHBS Performance Foal Show will take place on Saturday, September 12.