CHRIS and Gwen Byrne of CoilÓg Equestrian hosted the latest leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools league last Sunday and a good day’s sport was had by all in the two well supported rings with very good entries for all classes.

The Lime Arena hosted the novice classes commencing with the novice teams, while the Hornbeam arena hosted the TRI-sponsored open events followed by the primary classes.

The TRI Equestrian open team event produced a three-way jump-off with Kilkenny College, this time represented by Charlie, ridden by Martha Dolan, Cabana and Olivia Cullen Kavanagh, Denode Don’t Forget and Isobel Smithwick and Glanmore Honey ridden by Kirstyn Reel posting its second victory in recent weeks.

They finished ahead of the Newbridge College team of Woody Sammy ridden by Bonnie O’Neill, Gateaux Mr Blue and Ellen O’Neill, Ardenhue Red Robin and Isabelle Walsh and Freddie ridden by Clare Nestor. Their fellow Newbridge team of Dejay ridden by Sarah Smullen, Money Lagen Friday ridden by Robyn Dempsey, Joey ridden by Anie O’Neill and Carracanada Keiran ridden by Anna Nagle were third. The remaining league points went to Mercy SS Ballymahon, St Mary’s New Ross and Rochfortbridge.

Open individuals

The TRI Equestrian open individuals followed and in a well-supported class with an excellent standard of jumping first place went to Annie O’Neill riding Castle Sky Misty Boy representing Newbridge College who saw off a determined challenge by Ciara Cronly on Sasha from St Farnan’s who claimed second. Less than two seconds separated the two and Caoimhe Murray on Flathulach from Scoil Mhuire Trim was just a further half second behind to claim third. Fourth fifth and sixth went to Maisie Fitzgerald, Hazel Shillingford and Tara Ennis.

The TRI Equestrian premier 110 class is attracting great interest and Ah Boy Dougie ridden by Katie Duignan for Mercy Ballymahon posted her second win of the series ahead of Holly Gee riding Coolodge Maeve for Loreto Kilkenny and Coleen Klinowska from St Peter’s Dunboyne.

Novice teams

The novice teams’ class was the biggest class of the day with twenty teams of four lining out to battle for victory. The winners were in fact the last team to ride in the competition, the Newbridge College team of Blackwoodland Buzzare ridden by Ellen Mooney Rathossy Cailin Bui ridden by Sophie Flood, Pumpkin ridden by Annie O’Neill and Carrigfad Cloud Breah ridden by Mai Monaghan who claimed the red rosette following a four-way jump-off. Second place went to the Borris VS team of Montezuma ridden by Dearbhla Sheehan, Killags Foxy Lady ridden by Rosemary Dundon, Coppenagh Otto ridden by Ella Kidd and A Fresh Start ridden by Aine Murphy followed by Tullow CS’s team of Miss Izzy and Niamh Tobin, Lady Liath and Orla Dalton, Myshall Gerry ridden by Caoimhe Curran and Khaleesi ridden by Una Farrell in third.

The St Mary’s New Ross team of Milchem Havana ridden by Eva Kent, Coolofinko Quinn ridden by Laura Neville, Barryswell Silver Bell ridden by Aoife Cummins and Queenies Cornet ridden by Mia Kent were fourth. Kilkenny College were fastest of the four faulters to claim fifth with St. Paul’s Monasterevin in sixth.

Novice classes

The novice 80cm class and the Equieire novice 90 qualifier attracted great support, so much so that due to light limitations it did not prove possible to take on the day entries for these classes. Indeed, competitors are advised that it is always better, if possible, to enter individual classes in advance. The following qualified for the novice 90 final: Robin’s Fairy Tale and Carolyn Curry, St Columba, Draught Lady and Orla Dalton, Tullow CS, Big Mac and Penny Keogh, Coláiste Eoin Hackettstown and Killags Foxy Lady and Rosemary Dundon Borris VS. Victory in the 80cm class went to Carnhill Tulip and Emma Curry for Killashee ahead of Ballydeely Kate ridden by Sophie Crosthwaite for St Andrews and Clochanard Silver Cailin and Ava Tuttle from Mt Sackville.

Local primary schools contested the primary teams’ class with first place being awarded to the Kilkea NS team of Rince ridden by Daniel Wall, Deerpark Lulu and Rocco Mulhall and Smallford’s Poppy and Ruby Cullen Kavanagh. The 75cm primary league competition was won in fine style by Buster ridden by Ailbhe Delahunty for Mount Anville and the 55cm class by Ava Mooney and Will for Rathcoffey NS.

The previous weekend saw an inaugural running of a leg of the league in Garronmore equestrian Centre in Limerick and it proved a fruitful journey for Newbridge College who emerged victorious ahead of local schools St Anne’s Tipperary and Scoil Pól, Killfinane. Action now moves to Wexford EQ where Loreto Wexford plays host on November 12th.