ST Mary’s New Ross consolidated its lead in the TRI Equestrian Interschools Open Teams League, when posting its fifth win of the season at the Bridgetown College-hosted event last Sunday.

Aoife Cummins, Laura Neville, Mia Kent and Eva O’Grady, riding Ahabrook Storm, Coolfinka Queen, Queenies Cornet and Kilberin Lad, were the team members. Loreto College were runners-up on the day and were represented by Wex Gal and Amy Griffith, Bells Nugget and Isabelle Walsh, Hardy Glass Flo and Sarah Cousins and Redshire Molly and Kate Walsh.

The host school’s team of Owen Carroll on Untouchable Royale, Noah Sinnott Murphy and Cullintra Bonfire, Aoife Murphy on Greenfield Lorenzo and Hazel Slattery and Breolie Mist were third. St Mary’s other team and Presentation Wexford were fourth and fifth.

Isabelle Walsh and Bells Nugget claimed the TRI Equestrian Open Individual class. Rosemary Dundon from Borris College riding Ah to be Sure was second, ahead of St Mary’s New Ross pupil, Mia Kent on Queenies Cornet in third. Remaining league points were gained by Ella Kavanagh, Sarah O’Reilly and Owen Carroll.

The TRI premier 110cm class followed and Kate Walsh riding Redshire Molly for Loreto Wexford claimed first place, with Jessie Bates riding the thoroughbred Guns for Hire for Ramsgrange in second and Darragh O’Brien on Ironhills Shooting Star from Borris College in third.

Very well-supported

The Equieire 90cm qualifier was very well-supported, with some combinations already qualified, thus allowing some in minor placings to gain qualifying slots for the final. Aoife Griffith on WNDA Toby for Loreto Wexford won the class, with Brooke Sutton McGarry from Ramsgrange CS riding Achill in second place. Kate Kavanagh and Swanview Cream of Dexter from St Mary’s New Ross was third.

Since both Kate Kavanagh and Brooke Sutton McGarry are already qualified, the remaining qualifying slots were gained by Rebecca Colfer, Clodagh Murphy, Aoife Crean and Harry Griffith.

Loreto Wexford, represented by Ruby Cousins on Jumpingdale Peanut, Freya Barry and Churchlands Liberty, Caitlin Griffith and Wanda Toby and Aoife Griffith and Starlight Express won the Hopoti Novice teams’ event. All four riders originally campaigned on the primary schools’ circuit and, having graduated to secondary school, are showing great promise.

Loreto Wexford’s other novice team also took the runner-up spot, ahead of the novice team from Gorey CS. The Hopoti novice individual was won by Bridgetown College’s Noah Murphy riding Burdai Hasel. Mia Donovan on Raven from St Mary’s New Ross was runner-up.

The JODZ Primary Individual 75cm class, which incorporated the EII Primary Individual League, was won by Shannon Griffith from Screen NS on Carrowmore Sparrow. She also came third riding Interstella.

Anna Sarsfield, representing Kilmore, on Glenhead Summer was second. The 55cm class was won by Michaela Quirke from Kiltealy NS. The well-supported Jodz Primary teams’ event was claimed by Ballymitty NS. The Doran siblings, Faye on Canoy, Max on KHS Bundee, Scott on Rosegate Castles in the Sky and Hugo on Bilbo Baggans made up the Ballymitty team.

The Rathangan Blue Team were second with Kiltealy NS in third. Remaining placings went to Kilmore NS, Screen NS and Scoil Aidan. Last but not least, the event organisers ran an Aloga Equestrian 90cm class confined to primary riders and Lily Kelly riding Outrath CSI from Scoil Naomh Blackwater claimed that class.

Action moves this weekend to Tipperary Equestrian Centre, where Ursuline College Thurles are the hosts.