NEWBRIDGE College hosted the latest leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools Showjumping League in Coilog last Sunday.

The day dawned bright but bitterly cold for all the travelling teams. The primary schools competition started of the day with seven enthusiastic teams of riders with the team of Scoil Padriag Clane taking first place with a clear score in the fastest time. The four delighted riders, John Flood, James Dempsey, Cain O’Connor and Jamie Hartigan beat the Kilmead National School team of Claire O’Ryan, Jessica O’Ryan, James King and Paddy Smullen into second place.

The primary individual was also against the clock with Jamie Hardigan of Newbridge Educate Together National School riding his pony Windale Honey Bee taking the top slot.

The novice team competition had the largest entries of the day with lots of new teams and a special thank you to Ard Scoil Mhuire Ballinasloe and Moyne CS who arrived after a long journey and an early start. With only two teams making it to the jump-off, Haywoood Community School had the fastest time to win the competition with riders Nadine Coffey, Ellen McWey, Julie McDonald and Arianna Mezzapelle.

Maynooth Education Campus took second with Emma Egan, Katie Deane, Alice McFadden and Billy Coonan.

First place in the novice was won by Kate Egan of Rathineska National School with Jodi Zebedee of Newbridge College taking second.

The main event was the TRI Equestrian open team competition. The technical track built by Chris Byrne of Coilog saw only two teams make it to the jump-off and they were both Newbridge College. With both riders for Newbridge College orange team, Ivanna Dempsey and Jack Ross keeping all the poles up giving them victory on the day with their team mates Niamh Behan and Leah Ross. The Newbridge College black team of Caragh Sweeney, Leah Heffernan, Niamh Flinter and Max Ross took second place.

Max Ross from Newbridge College took the winning trophy in the individual open competition with Emma Keogh of Maynooth Education Campus taking second. The HSI 1.10cms qualifier class brought some very strong riders to the arena.

This competition was won by another Newbridge rider, Jack Ross, with Caragh Sweeney of Newbridge taking second.