GOOD Counsel College hosted the latest TRI Equestrian Interschools league qualifiers in Wexford Equestrian the weekend before last.

Paul Cuddihy, chef d’equipe for Kilkenny College, was delighted with the school’s win in the TRI Equestrian Open teams. This is the school’s third win of the series. Kilkenny’s team was Olivia Cullen Kavanagh on Chance Cabana, Bella Donoghue on Dam Gruvy, Fionn’s Fionn ridden by Ned Kelly and Martha Dolan on Charlie. Local schools Loreto Wexford and St Peter’s College were runners-up. Loreto was represented by Joys Limit, ridden by Ashley Durack, Redshire Molly and Kate Walsh, Seco and Jessie Murphy and Shakespeare Romeo Montague, ridden by Cora Finn, whilst Joe and Tommy Codd together with Dylan Barrett riding Indie, Cheyenne and Glenbawn Lass made up the St Peter’s team. Remaining league points went to Newbridge College, St Mary’s New Ross and Presentation Wexford.

Open individual

In the TRI Equestrian open Individual league class, the 10 points for first place were claimed by Lucy McCarthy from Newbridge College riding Gorm. She also took second place, this time riding 50 Shades. Eva Mulligan from Presentation, riding Sian, was third. Keira Crowther, Ella Duignan and Claire Nestor were fourth, fifth and sixth.

The TRI premier 110 class was the last class of the day and had an enthusiastic entry. This time, Keira Crowther pulled out all the stops to take the win riding Tomoko Spots. She represents Loreto Wexford. Jessie Bates, riding her thoroughbred Guns for Hire for Ramsgrange Community School, was runner-up, with Katie Duignan on A Boy Duggie for Mercy Ballymahon in third. The remaining rosettes on offer went to Kaleigh Ryan, Kate Walsh and Calum Duignan.

Loreto Wexford were the EII novice team winners at the latest TRI Equestrian Interschools league qualifier: Isabel Walsh, Amy Griffith, Anna Radford and Aoife Griffith

Novice

In the novice classes, 11 teams battled it out to claim the points on offer. Victory went to Loreto Wexford, who saw off a determined challenge from fellow Wexford school, Presentation, who were runners-up. Bells Nugget and Isabel Walsh, Wex Gal ridden by Amy Griffith, Essener Double Dutch and Anna Radford and Aoife Griffith riding Anda Toby, represented Loreto, whilst, Ask Jim and Grace Day, Sam Quirke on Kingsford Monty, Cara and Cerys Roche and Shogs ridden by Lucy Stafford, made up the Presentation team. Tullow Community School’s Lady Liath ridden by Orla Dalton, Max and Lauren Keho, Una Farrell on Khaleesi and Hershey’s Kiss and Cillian Tobin, were third.

In the Equieire EII novice 90cm class, confined to novice secondary pupils only, Tricklebrook Jaguar and Mia Meyler from Presentation were fastest to claim first place, ahead of Niamh Tobin from Tullow riding Hershey’s Kiss and Dearbhla Sheehan on Montezuma for Borris Vocational. Bell’s Nugget and Isabel Walsh were fourth, with Catch Me Now and Lily Walsh and Carnakilly Reilly and Victoria Roche in fifth and sixth. Grace Day riding Ask Jim from Presentation Wexford won the fun 80cm class.

Primary

The day had commenced with the primary stars of the future and siblings, Donncha, Ted and Ruby Cousins from Kilraine NS put in a great performance to win the class. They rode Blue, King and Bluebell. Mayglass National School was second, with Rathangan National School in third. Blossom (Cora Goff), Belle (Aoife Robinson), Coco (Lucy Day) and Belle (Liam Robinson) represented Mayglass and Barney (Gracie Kelly), Grace (Mollie Bates Doyle), Ollie (Freya Barry) and Lookout Atlantic Charm (Austin Murphy), made up the Rathangan team.

In the EII 75cm primary individuals, Shannon Griffith from Screen National School, riding Curraghmore Sparrow, was awarded the red rosette, ahead of Hazel Slattery and Breolie Mist and Caitlin Griffith and Interstella for Kilraine. Last but not least, Fiadh Lyons riding Rusty from St. Leaonard’s National School won the 55cm class.

Full results for this event ran in last week’s pages and can be accessed online at www.theirishfield.ie