THE fourth leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools show jumping took place in Barnadown Equestrian Centre on Sunday, October 20th, with almost 40 teams competing in the open, novice and primary competitions.
Despite the potentially disruptive effects of Storm Ashley, Coláiste Bhríde Carnew was able to go ahead and host an action-packed day of schools’ show jumping. Schools’ show jumping is a wonderful way for students, parents and schools to come together as a whole community.
The event ran off very efficiently and this was helped as there were three arenas in use, with prizegiving taking place around lunchtime and early afternoon. A presentation was made to Linda Dunne, retiring principal of Carnew and longstanding supporter of equestrian interschools, by Mary Rothwell Carnew chef d’equipe and new principal Anna Gahan. Long may equestrian interschools in Carnew continue. Very well done to all who competed and congratulations to those who were in the ribbons.
In the open teams, first place went to a joint school team from Glenart College and Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow. The team members were Caoimhe Spacey, Sophie Rhatigan, Lucy Rhatigan and Jack Murphy riding Ringwood Patience, Berthrath Beauty, Ballyfore Lola and Sam Salad. The second-place rosette and 12 league points went to St Mary’s College New Ross, represented by Aoife Cummins and Ahabrook Storm, Junipierre and Laura Neville, Mia Kent on Queenie’s Cornet and Kilberan Lad and Eva O’Grady. Wesley College took third place. Wesley’s team was Shane Lough Supremacy ridden by Maresa Vard, Eva McCraith on Galtee Donald, Charlotte Goor on Ardwell Whisper Hope and Enniskerry Piano and Mia Murphy. Fourth, fifth and sixth positions went to St Mary’s College New Ross, Coláiste Bhríde Carnew and Gorey Community School respectively. Kilkenny College gained the remaining league point on offer when placing seventh.
Individuals
The 1m TRI Equestrian league competition was won by Amber Farrell, riding Daisy Daisy and representing Gorey Community School. Glenart’s Sophie Rhatigan on Daisy was runner-up, with Claire Hill Doyle riding Frederick of Fantastic Beasts from Carnew in third. Isabel Walsh, Kyle Cummins and Alexandra Cassidy gained the remaining league points on offer.
The final class of the day in the open arena was the TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10m individual qualifier and the winner was Chloe Walsh representing Coláiste Bhríde Carnew, riding Corky Rocks. She also took a second qualifying spot riding Eugene Rocks for fourth place. The thoroughbred Guns for Hire, ridden by Jessie Bates for Ramsgrange, was second, with Lilac Park Patrick and Shannon Hickey from Creagh College in third. Remaining qualifying spots went to Ballyfore Lola and Lucy Rhatigan from Gaelcholaiste na Mara and Galtee Shadow and Johnnie Sheppard from Carnew.
A presentation was made to Linda Dunne, retiring principal of Carnew and longstanding supporter of equestrian interschools, by Mary Rothwell, Carnew Chef d’Equipe and new principal Anna Gahan
In the novice ring, the Hopoti teams commenced proceedings and 15 teams took on the Barnadown-designed track. First place was awarded to the team representing Tullow Community School, ahead of Ramsgrange Community School in second place and Loreto College Wexford in third. Tullow was represented by Lauren Keogh on Lumcloon Max, Khaleesi Storm Born and Una Farrell, Lauren Bailey on Prodigal Son and Hershey’s Kiss and Cillian Tobin, while Brooke Sutton McGarry and Rebecca, Caitlin and Niamh Colfer riding Snowflake, Kestrel’s Jenny Wren, Juniper Clover and Lots of Dots rode for Ramsgrange and Freya Barry on Churchland’s Liberty, Outlier and Emily May Purcell, Annie Scallan and Louis Arthur and Uno ridden by Hannah Rose Roche represented Wexford.
Competitive
The primary teams were certainly competitive and much fun was had. First place went to Rathangan National School (navy): Look Out Atlantic Charm ridden by Austin Murphy, Bally Teague Bay and Lucy O’Brien, BBS Charlie Bear ridden by Sadhbh Wilson and Proud Mary ridden by Gracie Kelly. Second place was Scoil Aodan Naofa Carnew, with Screen National School in third. Scoil Naomh Bride, Blackwater took fourth place, Mayglass National School was fifth and sixth place went to Grange National School.
The novice and primary individual competitions were, as always, also hotly contested. In the EII 65-75cm primary league competition, the winner was Shannon Griffith representing Screen National School, who gained 12 points. In the Hopoti 80cm novice individual competition, Brook Sutton McGarry, riding Snowflake representing Ramsgrange Community School, took the red rosette. The Equieire 90cm individual qualifier winner was Michelle Murphy riding Anvil Lady representing Gorey Community School. Also qualifying are Sophie Whitehead, Una Farrell, Katie Kavanagh, Kate Kavanagh, and Niamh Colfer. Lucy Healy, who was sixth on the day, is already qualified.
Coláiste Bhríde would like to thank the many sponsors of the day.
The next leg of the TRI Equestrian interschools league goes to Coilog Equestrian Centre tomorrow (Sunday, October 27th), when Wesley College, Dublin will host the competition.