THE latest leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools League was held at a busy JAG Equestrian Centre last Saturday with a full day of competition scheduled. A complete range of classes ran in two arenas with the open classes taking centre stage in the indoor, followed by the primary classes while the novice classes were held in the outdoor arena.

The TRI Equestrian open teams’ classes were hotly contested, although only two teams managed to obtain that all important zero score to reach the jump-off round and it was the experienced team from Coláiste Bhríde Carnew of Drumming Pretty Lady (Hannah O’Neill), Lunasa Cruise (Sophie Wilson), Althorpe (Chloe Walsh) and Banagher Chrissie (Johnny Sheppard), who managed to leave all the poles up to claim the win ahead of last week’s winners East Glendalough. The latter were represented by Blackhall Summer (Rosie Coad), Shergar Rose (Anna Morrissey), Lady (Sarah Curry) and Miss Cool & Trendy (Skyla Nally), in second place. Fastest four-faulters and gaining third slot was the team from Newbridge College - Golden Cooper (Bonnie O’Neill), Kilmovee Bridal Excess (Louise Maguire), Dunlevy Alnus (Nancy Fleming) and Mullacrew Heights (Keelin Scott) with Gorey Community School in fourth. Fifth and sixth place went to Ashbourne Community College and St Kevin’s Dunlavin.

Win for Wilson

The TRI Equestrian open individual class was also won by Coláiste Bhríde Carnew, when Sophie Wilson riding Lunasa Cruise Coláiste produced a lovely clear round 30 seconds faster than Jessica Murphy riding Darcy for Gorey Community School who took second place. Third place went to Hannah O’Neill on Drumming Pretty Lady also from Coláiste Bhríde Carnew ahead of Eva Mulligan and Sienna’s Diamond, representing Presentation Wexford. Emily Crawford and LGS Safari from Wesley College and Ella Henley on Supreme National for St Kevin’s Community College were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

The HSI-sponsored premier 1.10m class also went the way of Coláiste Bhríde Carnew. This time it was Chloe Walsh, who was riding Althorpe, who pipped Patrick McGrath on Larcata Wi Ro Z, representing Patrician Secondary School into second by the slimmest of margins. Lucy Gaffney riding World of Orestus for St Mary’s Naas claimed third with Eva Mulligan and Sienna’s Diamond of Presentation Wexford in fourth. Fifth and sixth and the remaining qualifying places went to Sarah Curry riding Ashwood Cushe Lady for East Glendalough and Coco Belle Manning on Fortunate Clover from St Gerard’s Bray.

Joy for Newbridge College

Meanwhile, the novice teams, the biggest class of the day, was continuing. The eventual winners were Newbridge College, represented by Bobby Jo (Claire Nestor), Hello Gooch (Isabelle Walsh), Satire Imperial Commander (Mai Monaghan) and Blackjack (Ellen O’Neill). St Peter’s Dunboyne, Inchydoney (Lily Knapp), San Francisco Clover (Jeorgia Knapik), Changing Course (Sadhbh Finlay), Red Gap Mac (Maria Connolly) claimed second place. Tullow Community School Malacia (Louise Nolan), Myshall Gerry (Caoimhe Curran), Sprite (Niamh Tobin) and Paris (Brooke O’Donohue), took third place. St Gerard’s Bray were fourth and fifth while Kilkenny College was sixth.

The Equieire EII 90cm class, confined to novice riders only, followed and Sarah Boyce Donohoe riding Four Mile Boy from Ard Scoil Rathangan pulled out all the stops to claim first place ahead of Christina Whittaker and Ferguson riding for Our Lady’s Bower in second and Oisin Phelan, partnering Pepper Belle, for Coláiste Lorcain in third. Fourth place went to Darby Condren and Chesterfield Erin Curtis. The remaining qualifying places went to James Mulhall riding My Deerpark Lulu for Kilkenny College and Harry Barton, on El Caballo Gris, representing Rockwell College who unusually dead heated to claim joint fifth.

Oisin Phelan, partnering Pepper Belle, for Coláiste Lorcain went one better in the 80cm fun class where he produced a great round to win the class. Mia Cunningham (Cherokee Dancer) for St. Kevin’s Dunlavin and Mai Monaghan (Drumcree Polly Pocket) were second and third.

The Primary classes followed the open classes indoors and riders from the local Killashee National School produced some lovely riding to claim first place in the team competition. Gerard’s N.S. Bray were close behind in second with St Bridget’s N.S. in third.

The EII Primary 75cm League class was won by Claudia O’Neill (Sparkles in the rain), for St Anna Tyrrellspass (0/0/20.82) with Daniel Wall (Rince) for Kilkenny N.S. in second (0/0/21). Ryan O’Neill and Jedi Skywalker for St Anna NS Tyrrellspass placed third. The fun 55cm class for the budding future stars went the way of Ava Jenkinson on Kara Silver for Rathmore N.S. ahead of Lulu Rose Mulhall, riding The Hare, for St Bridget’s N.S. Grange and Anna Curry (Dolly) from Scoil Diarmada.

The action moves this weekend to Killossery Lodge Stud where the Glynn family are the hosts.