GOREY Community School hosted the latest leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools League at Barnadown Equestrian Centre on Sunday and it proved well worthwhile as they bagged the main win of the day. Brilliant sunshine greeted the riders on what was a chilly day.

There was plenty of action in three different arenas throughout the day. The TRI Equestrian Open Teams event commenced proceedings in sand arena one, Representing the host school were Naomi Doyle on Pairc na Ruarc, Ciara O’Connor on Billy, Jessica Murphy on Ashwood Reggie and Joe Dunne riding Reggie who claimed victory in the open teams’ event.

The TRI Open Individuals followed and the winner here was Isobel Barry (Charlie) representing Presentation Wexford who saw off Lucy Rhatigan (Freddie) for Gaelcholaiste Na Mara who had to settle for second. Baylee Neville from Dominican College Wicklow, riding Drumlane Oscar, was third. The final league points went to Gorey’s Jessica Murphy and Wesley’s Grace Berry and Jessica Milmo Penny.

Completing the line-up in this arena, the Horse Sport Ireland 1.10m class was claimed by Jasmine Arthur riding Ballyknock OBOS Hollywood for East Glendalough School. Jessica Murphy on Darcy, Naomi Doyle on Pairc Na Ruairc and Lauren Spencer on Kyle Lad were second, third and fourth for Gorey Community School. Colaiste Bhride’s Carnew’s Sarah Sheppard on Galtee Shadow was fifth, with Loreto Bray’s Jennifer O’Brien on Ballyorney Rua taking sixth place.

Win for East Glendalough

East Glendalough claimed the honours in the TRI Equestrian Novice Teams’ event. The school was represented by Rosie Coad on Sunny Girl, Anna Morrisey on Carrie, Brian Medlicott (Little Lady Lucy) and Skyla Nally (Mayfield Boy). The Newbridge College novice team were the runners-up with Sarah Fleming on Connaughy Noel, Bonnie O’Neill on Blackjack, Louise Maguire on Kilmovee Bridal Excess and Mai Monaghan riding Saltre Imperial Commander.

Third place went to St Declan’s Community College, represented by Ben Cusack on Little Miss Xena, Keira O’Reilly on Corclough Moonlight, Conor Cusack (Annadale Royal Mint) and Aoife Lenihan (Jude’s Law). St Gerard’s, Loreto Wexford, and the mixed Bridgetown CS and Gorey CS team were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

The fun 80cm event followed in which Maisie Fitzgerald from Tinahely NS, riding Skahanagh Sandpiper, just pipped Alice Curley on LA Dream Machine for St Anne’s Ardclough and Cillian Crosbie on Magic for Scoil Mhuire to win the class.

The next class was the Equieire EII 90cm qualifier where Ariana Durkin on Ms Arielle from St Gerard’s took pole position with Caoimhe Murphy riding Shadows Night for Loreto Wexford in second and FCJ Bunclody’s Emily Salter in third.

Primary winners

The third arena was busy with the primary school classes. St Saviour’s NS riders Ellen Medlicott on Packie, Isla Coad on the Wow Cow, Lily Gallagher on Ruby and Charlotte Goor riding Charlie claimed the red rosettes ahead of Kilmore NS team of Ceres Roche on Cara, Maisie Mooney on Tictac, Eva Lennon on Peaches and Anna Sarsfield on Harding Ville Lightning Strikes. Third place went to Scoil Diarmuida Castledermot riders Grace Kelly (Pixie), Anna Curry (Dolly), Lily Walsh (Ivy) and Oisin Phelan (Belle).

Lily Gallagher went on to win the EII Primary Individuals ahead of Aoife Murphy and Freya Barry.

The next TRI Equestrian Interschools leg takes place on March 20th at Coilog Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare where Borris Vocational School will be the hosts. All classes are offered with details on the Interschools Ireland website.