BRIAN Duff and Broadmeadow Equestrian Centre, Ashbourne, Co Meath hosted the latest leg of the TRI Interschools last Sunday where there was competitive action across all competitions.

In a well-supported novice team event, the St Gerard’s Bray team of Mya Thompson on Tokyo, Arianna Durkan on Ms Arielle, Arabella Whelahan on Blackhill Border Fox and Leah Hogan on Casalina posted a very fast time to take the win.

St Gerard’s emerged victorious ahead of the Loreto Wexford team of Kate Walsh (Rathmanna), Ashley Durack (Curraghmore Sparrow), Katie O’Connor (Alcadream) and Cara Finn (Ballybrit Cashel) in second chased by the team Holy Family Secondary School in third. The Holy Family school was represented by Claire McGrath (Tyson), Grainne Cooney (Currareigh Hero), Abi Plunkett (Glenhill Purple) and Faye Dunn (Clogheen Pope).

Wins for Durkan sisters

Arianna Durkan on Ms Arielle claimed the novice individual class for St Gerard’s ahead of her sibling Amelia riding Willow and Jessica Corcoran (Swift) for Scoil Mhuire Trim.

Niamh Tobin from Tullow community School was fourth with St Gerard’s Leah Hogan and Jessica Ryan in fifth and sixth place.

Making it a clean sweep in the novice competitions for St Gerard’s Amelia Durkan also claimed the win in the EII Novice 90cm qualifier riding Willow. Sophie Boyle, Kate Healy, Chloe Walsh and Mia Brown claimed the other qualifier slots.

Win for Borris Community School

The TRI open league team competition was won in fine style by Borris Community School. The team members were Aine Kavanagh (Markle Angle), Claire Kavanagh (Sky Bouncer), Patrick Doyle riding Longhill Cruising and Cathy Doyle on Boyley BC.

Dominican College Wicklow took the runner-up spot ahead of Newbridge College in third. The Wicklow team was Casey Neville and Westbrook Dancer, Naoise O’Neill and Slanelough Supremacy, Megan Neville and Monamia and Baylee Neville riding Drumlane Oscar, while Newbridge was reperesnted by Alice O’Sullivan and Mary Rose, Sive Murphy on Political Diamond, and Claire O’Ryan on Caru Melody. Gorey Community School was fourth ahead of Calasanctus in fifth.

Victory for O’Sullivan

The final competition of the day was the TRI Open Individual class and Alice O’Sullivan riding Carrigshaun Doctro put in a brilliant performance to take the win for Newbridge College. Sophie Byrnes riding Alfie Silver from Calasanctus took the runner-up slot ahead of Borris’ Clare Kavanagh on Sky Bouncer, Lauren Spencer, representing Gorey, on Sparrow and Conor Doyle from East Glendalough riding Rusheen Duff Patrick.

The action and last leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools before the Christmas break takes place in Boswell Equestrian this weekend.