MULLINGAR Equestrian Centre hosted the penultimate leg of the league last Sunday, with a full range of classes from the TRI Equestrian 110 down to a 40cm class for future stars.
The EII and TRI Equestrian classes were held in the International Arena and the 65/75cm Primary league class started proceedings. The red ribbon was presented to Tristan O’Conaola riding William for Kilcooley NS. Ailbhe Delahunty on Buster for Mount Anville NS claimed the runner-up spot, with Ohme Ohmy and Luca Kinsella from Listerlin in third. Anna Curry, Ciara Cadam and Ciara Kelly took the remaining points on offer.
Winners of the open teams at Mullingar - Katie McGrath, John Miney and Liam Galligan with Rose Dolan \Llaurence Dunne jumpinaction.net
The Primary Teams event followed and victory was claimed by the mixed team from Whitehall and St Kenny’s NS – Finn and Blathnaid Murphy, Caoimhe Murphy on Finn, The Nut Cracker and Saoirse Murphy and Hopit Popit ridden by Willow Gavin, ahead of Ballinalee and Newtown Forbes NS represented by Georgia Brady and Rocket, Holly Brady and Teddy, Michael Shaughnessy on Mr Worldwide and Lockside Lucky Legs ridden by Ciara Cadam in second. Longford Mixed NS was third. Longford was represented by Romeo 11 and Ciara Kelly, Pineview Lady and Kate Cadam, Ella Finegan on Ollie and Scooby and Mia Donoghue.
Mullingar TRI Equestrian Interschools 75cm winners William and Tristain O'Conaola of Kilcooley NS
Open classes
Proceedings then moved on to the TRI Equestrian-sponsored open events, commencing with the open teams. A three-person team from local school Moyne – Katie McGrath on Johnny, John Miney on Extravaganza and Connie Cassera and Liam Galligan – saw off rivals St Peter’s College, Wexford, who had to be content with second place. St Peter’s was represented by Tommy and Joe Codd riding Kilkea Charlie and Robin May, together with Dylan Barrett on Glenbawn Lass and Unnqmedd and Jack Jones. Wesley College, represented by Mia Murphy and Enniskerry Pedro, Saoirse Handly and LG Arkill Slanelough Supremacy and Maresa Vard and Jack Murphy on Ballinteskin Gala, was third. Remaining league points went to Kilkenny College, Rochfortbridge and Mercy Kilbeggan.
Ellie Condon, winner of the 90cm at the Mullingar interschools on March 17th \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net
Qualifier
The Equieire 90cm novice class, which was the last chance to qualify for the final was hotly contested. Ellie Condon from Portumna Community School riding Cairnhill Rascal secured her place, ahead of Nicole Brennan riding Sadie for St Joseph’s Rochfortbridge in second. Already qualified, Jessica Kinsella from Loreto Abbey Dalkey on Rocket Celt was third. Nina Boydell on Arraghbeg Honey, who has also already qualified, was fourth. She rides for St Gerard’s Bray. Francesca Williams Webster from Cavan riding Bubblegum Bouncer claimed a qualifying spot as did Isabelle Doody riding Miley for Athlone, since Lucy O’Rourke who came sixth was already qualified.
The TRI Equestrian individual open event followed. The ever-reliable Gorm, ridden by Lucy McCarthy for Newbridge, claimed first place with Liam Galligan riding Conine Cassera for Moyne in second and Hannah O’Neill on Drummin Pretty Lady from Carnew in third. Remaining points went to Hannah Madden, Katie McGrath and Laura Finnegan.
The TRI Equestrian Premier 110 qualifier’s first place went to Katie Duignan riding A Boy Duggie for Mercy Ballymahon. Philipa Halliwell on Cosima from Mercy Kilbeggan was second with Duignan’s sister Ella in third. She was riding Wyndham Miss Ellie. The remaining rosettes on offer were claimed by Katie McGrath, Hannah O’Neill and John Miney.
Novice teams
The EII Novice teams class took place in the sand arena. Newbridge College represented by Sophie Flood and Chance, Ellen Mooney on Christopher Columbus, Bobby Weld and Mountain Girl and Knockma Girl 11 and Ava Rose Berry were the victors, with the team from Tullow Community School – Lady Liath and Orla Dalton, Max and Lauren Kehoe, Khaleesi and Una Farrell and Clonfin Lolalicious ridden by Caoimhe Curran in the runner-up slot.
The team from Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed Thurles were third. Thurles was represented by Hilltop Supreme ridden by Ben Nolan, Lisrobin Ben and Camilla Kerwick, Tynagh Jaxon and Mya Dunne and Max Doyle. Remaining league points went to St Gerard’s Bray and Our Lady’s Bower.
The novice 80cm class was won by Francesca Williams Webster riding Bubblegum.
Mullingar hosted a series of individual classes ranging from 40cm to 70cm, which catered for future interschoolers. First place in the 70cm class and 60cm class went to Annaghmore Lilly ridden by Ellie Radinskatie for Presentation Portarlington and Ned ridden by Lucy Headen from The Heath NS and the other classes were divided by those posting clear rounds.
The final takes place this Sunday in CoilÓg and the top five open teams in the league will qualify for the Bluegrass Interschools Championships in Balmoral in May.