KILKENNY College hosted an action-packed day of Interschools competitions in Wexford Equestrian Centre last Sunday. The day also saw the inaugural running of the Red Mills-sponsored Kilkenny College Jump Cross Challenge, which was enjoyed by all those who took part.

The TRI Equestrian Open Teams league competition produced a win for the consistent team from Loreto College, consisting of Bells Nugget and Isabell Walsh, Cojorojo ridden by Kate Jones, Wex Gal with Amy Griffith and A Little Bit of Twinkle and Hannah Rose Roche. Gorey Community School’s Courtwood Prince ridden by Alexandra Cassidy, Kyle Lad and Holly Spencer, Epona and Tabatha McGee and Daisy Daisy ridden by Amber Farrell, slotted into second place with a slightly slower time.

KAH Clintendor with Olivia Kavanagh on board, Carraun Ferdy and Georgia Queally, Kilcreene Serendipity ridden by Isabel Smithwick and Glenrock Lisa and Gloria Queally, representing host school Kilkenny, took third. Remaining league points on offer went to St Mary’s New Ross, Bridgetown College and Presentation Wexford.

Gorey’s Amber Farrell and Daisy Daisy saw off Loreto’s Isabell Walsh and Bells Nugget and Amy Griffith on Wex Gal to come first in the TRI Equestrian Open Individual competition. Mia Kent from New Ross riding Queenies Cornet was fourth. Kyle Cummins and Billy Ignite from Good Counsel was fifth and, last but not least, Ahabrook Storm and Aoife Cummins from New Ross was sixth.

Lilly Belle and Noah Murphy from Bridgetown and Kilpatrick Sparkle and Alannah Bailey from Kilkenny College gained the qualifying spots in the TRI Equestrian-sponsored Premier 1.10m class.

Excellent

The Equieire novice 90cm qualifier produced some excellent jumping. Una Farrell from Tullow and Khaleesi Stormborn came first, ahead of Brooke Sutton McGarry riding Achill for Ramsgrange and Olivia Condon representing Newbridge College riding Clooneybreen Poitigrave in second and third respectively. Blake Kavanagh, Kate Moran and Lauren Kehoe took the remaining rosettes.

Loreto College also won the Hopoti novice teams’ class. WNDA Toby ridden by Caitlin Griffith, Starlight Empress and Aoife Griffith, Outlier ridden by Emily Mai Purcell and Ballyyerk Lover partnered by Sarah Pettit, made up this Loreto team. Bridgetown College represented by three ponies and riders - Moscrofta Mister Darcy and Holly Cadogan, Gracie ridden by Mollie Grace Doyle and Duchess and Hazel Slattery - took the runners-up slot, with Loreto’s other novice team in third. Tullow, Ramsgrange and Presentation Wexford were fourth, fifth and sixth. Ramsgrange pupil Rebecca Colfer riding Kestrel Jenny Wren won the Hopoti novice individual class. Bobbie Bowe and Strider from Kiltealy NS was second and Loreto’s Annie Scallon and Arthur was third.

The EII primary league class went to Hannah Griffith and Curraghmore Sparrow from Screen NS. Rachel’s Rory and Peter Connolly from Castlepark was second and Kilmore’s Anna Sarsfield riding Hardingville Lightening Strike finished in third place.

The Hare ridden by Hannah Dooley from Courtnacuddy NS won the 55cm class. Rathangan NS’s Arielle and Sadbh Whelan, Ballyteigue Bay ridden by Lucy O’Brien, Red City Sparrow ridden by Gracie Kelly and Lookout Atlantic Charm and Austin Murphy claimed the Primary teams, with Kiltealy in second place and Kilmore in third.

Jump cross challenge

While all the Interschools jumping action was proceeding in the indoor, outside on the Derby track the inaugural Kilkenny College jump cross challenge was being held.

This was divided into three categories - junior, novice and open. Following on from her win in the EII 75cm class, Screen’s Shannon Griffith showed an impressive turn of speed to win the junior class on board Curraghmore Sparrow. Rebecca Colfer riding Kestrel Jenny Wren from Ramsgrange took the novice competition and, last but not least, Isabel Smithwick representing the host school, Kilkenny College, was victorious in the Open class. She rode Donode Don’t Forget to victory.

Hollypark EC hosts Interschools this Sunday, March 16th and Ursuline College runs its Interschools on Monday, March 17th in Tipperary EC.