TWO TRI Equestrian Interschools events were held last weekend, one in the south east and one in the west, presenting countrywide opportunities to gain league points and qualifications.
Good Counsel College hosted their event in Wexford Equestrian Centre. In the TRI Equestrian Open teams event, Bridgetown College claimed victory from Loreto Wexford in second and Newbridge College in third.
Untouchable Royale ridden by Owen Carroll, Noah Sinnott Murphy on Hawkeye, Lily Walsh on Gypsy and Breolie Mist ridden by Hazel Slattery represented Bridgetown, while Wex Gal with Amy Griffith, Bells Nugget ridden by Isabelle Walsh, Redshire Molly with Kate Walsh and A Little Bit of Twinkle and Hannah Rose Roche made up the Loreto team.
A team of three, namely AC Remus ridden by Hogan Byrne, Ardenhue Red Robin and Isabelle Walsh and Gorm ridden by Lucy McCarthy, produced great riding for Newbridge. Gorey Community School, host school Good Counsel and St Mary’s New Ross claimed the points for fourth, fifth and sixth.
Primary teams winners from the Good Counsel leg of the Interschools league were Screen NS comprising Mary Kate Kelly, Hannah Kavanagh, Frankie Rath and Ruth Stafford
Open classes
Gorey CS pupil Amber Farrell riding Daisy Daisy was first in the TRI Equestrian Open Individual class, ahead of Loreto Wexford’s Hannah Rose Roche and Hop in second and Kate Walsh on Killinick Sky in third. Ramsgrange CS’s Dearbhla O’Dwyer riding The Six Miler was fourth, with Isabelle Walsh and Bells Nugget and Amy Griffith and Wex Gal in fifth and sixth. Both are from Loreto Wexford.
The last Open class of the day was the TRI Equestrian Premier 110 qualifier. Kate Walsh from Loreto Wexford riding Redshire Molly was first in this class. Sally Bog Willow ridden by Daniel Bolger for Good Counsel was second, with Hannah Rose Roche and Hop in third. Jane Bolger from Mercy College New Ross on Dolmen Duty Free was fourth, ahead of the thoroughbred Guns for Hire and Jessie Bates from Ramsgrange in fifth and Amy Griffith and Wex Gal in sixth.
Novice classes
The Equieire novice 90cm qualifier went to Achill ridden by Brooke Sutton McGarry from Ramsgrange. Una Farrell from Tullow on Khaleesi Stormborn was second, ahead of Cuffesgrange Chipette and Harriet Bolger representing Loreto. The remaining places went to Kate Jordan, Rebecca Colfer and Katie Kavanagh.
The Hopoti Novice teams’ class was won by Loreto Wexford Yellow; Trickey Stephen D and Faye Howlin, WNDA Toby ridden by Caitlin Griffith, Starlight Express and Aoife Griffith and Churchland’s Liberty ridden by Freya Barry made up the team. Tullow Community School, represented by Lumcloon Max and Lauren Kehoe, Barney with Lauren Bailey, Samsung Slaney ridden by Lilly Mai Mulhall and Khaleesi Stormborn ridden by Úna Farrell, was second with Loreto’s other novice team, Aurthur with Annie Scallan, Outlier ridden by Emily Mai Purcell, Jumpingdale Peanut and Ruby Cousins and Silver Blade ridden by Harriett Bolger, in third. Ramsgrange, Presentation Wexford and Bridgetown were fourth, fifth and sixth.
The Hopoti Novice 80cm class’s red rosette was awarded to Wonderful White and Ramsgrange NS student Abbie Murphy. Loreto’s Kate Walsh riding Step Her Out Mary was second and fellow pupil Amy Grifith and Rebel’s Mist was third.
Primary classes
The Primary league class was won by Shannon Griffith on Curraghmore Sparrow from Screen NS. The fun Primary teams class also went to Screen. The team members were Mary Kate Kelly, Hannah Kavanagh, Frankie Rath and Ruth Stafford, riding Molly, Creevagh Lass, An Capaill Dubh and Hazelwood Buttons. Following on from her victory in the Hopoti novice 80cm class, Abbie Murphy and Wonderful White also won the Wexford EC Aloga primary premier class.
Ower Equestrian
Ower Equestrian Centre’s leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools league attracted a large, enthusiastic entry. A fair but technical track, designed by course builder Noel Burke, greeted horse and rider.
The EII Hopoti Novice team class was won by Clifden Community School, with all four grey horses going clear. The team consisted of Clochanard Silver Princess and Clodagh O’Toole, Branchfield Dandy ridden by Aoibheann Joyce, Illaunarra Shadow and Erin O’Neill and Forest Buddy and Keris Mae O’Toole.
The 60cm individual class was won by Erin O’Neill from Clifden Community School riding Illaunarra Shadow, with second place going to Lurga National School student Holly O’Connor riding her little pocket rocket, Lightning. Nothing could separate Chloe Conneely on Clifford representing Monivea NS and Clifden Community School student Aoibheann Joyce riding Zai, both having a time of 25.34 to place third.
Lurga National School student Aisling Stanford on Lahinch Korra was the only clear round in the EII Primary school league individual.
There was a tie for second place between Our Woodford Rebel and Calum Cummins from Lurga NS, Gort and Clifford ridden by Chloe Conneely from Monivea NS, Athenry.
Lady luck was on Tristan Ó Conaola and COS Calliope’s side, with them winning the EII Hopoti Novice individual and the EII 90cm Equieire Individual Qualifier. Kilfenora Goldie and her rider Saoirse Steede Duffy took home the blue rosette in both the 80cm and 90cm class. Remaining qualifying slots in the 90cm class went to Donnie ridden by Éabha Joyce for St Pauls Oughterard; Castlebin Split Second and Kitty Donohue, from St Killian’s College, Ballinasloe, and Dromalga Darcey ridden by Amelia Dobrowolska for Presentation College Headford.
The TRI Equestrian vouchers in class 8 (95cm-1m TRI open individual) went to Keris Mae O’Toole taking first on Forest Buddy, Isabelle Ó Conaola on Bobbys Womaniser took second and third place went to Lilly O’Keefe riding Curraghmore Imp.
Isabella Ó Conaola’s success continued, winning the final class of the day, the TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10m qualifying class riding Bobby’s Womaniser.
Very well done to all schools and parents on a near capacity turnout in difficult travelling conditions. Action this weekend is in JAG Equestrian Centre.