THERE were two chances to gain league points over the weekend, with TRI Equestrian competitions held in Broadmeadow on Sunday and an inaugural event taking place in Shanakill House Equestrian in Waterford on Monday.

There were opportunities at both events to qualify for the Equieire 90cm novice final and, at Shanakill, for the TRI Equestrian premier final also. In Broadmeadow, Brian Duff and his team commenced proceedings with a Primary Individual event, with victory going to Ailbhe Delahunty representing Mount Anville Primary School, ahead of Anna Curry and Walter in second and Patrick Fenton and Diego in third.

Anna Curry and Walter went one better in the Novice 80cm class, open to primary and secondary, when she secured the win ahead of Sophie Crosthwaite riding Ballydeely Kate for Loreto Abbey in second. Sean Fenton riding Blue for St Michael’s was third. Crosthwaite made up for having been pipped to the post in that class, when she posted the fastest time in the Equieire 90cm class to win the red ribbon. Sean Fenton, again partnering Blue, was runner-up, with Jessica Kinsella and Rocket Celt, representing Loreto Abbey Dalkey, in third. The Novice teams’ class was won by the team from Tullow CS and this widens their lead ahead of Borris, who were not present on the Sunday. Tullow’s three-person team was Miss Izzy Show Busy ridden by Niamh Tobin, Lady Liath ridden by Orla Dalton and Max and Lauren Kehoe. Newbridge College claimed second place; Knockmagirl II (Ava Berg), Blackwoodland Buzzard (Ellen Mooney),Caherdavin Blackjack (Emili Smith) and La Vie Est Belle (Caton Fought) represented Newbridge. A combined team from St Andrew’s and Loreto Dalkey; Splash of Diamond Cruising (Lauren Wier), Barnpark Daisy (Allannah Brennan) and Ballydeely Kate (Sophie Crosthwaite was third.

Open teams

The TRI Equestrian Open teams’ class was won by Mercy Ballymahon, who also secured the TRI Equestrian Open Individual class, when Ah Boy Duggie and Katie Duignan ran out the winner. The Ballymahon Team was Ah Boy Duggie and Katie Duignan, Wyndham Miss Ellie with Ella Duignan and Illane Dante and Calum Duignan (see page 100 for more on this trio).

Local school, Ashbourne Community were runners-up ahead of Wesley College in third. Ashbourne’s three-person team was Milly and Saoirse Kiernan, Hannah Lynam riding Owenriff River and Mountainy Man and Mary Kate Duffy, while Wesley was represented by LG Arkill ridden by Saoirse Handley, Slanelough Supremacy and Maresa Vard, Ballinstown Gala and Mia Murphy and Jack Murphy on Enniskerry Pedro. Runner-up to Ah Boy Duggie and Katie Duignan in the TRI Equestrian Open Individual Class was fellow team mate, Ella Duignan on Wyndham Miss Ellie. Third and fourth places went to Hannah O’Neill representing Coláiste Bhríde Carnew on Drummin Pretty Lady and Cici Murray from Newbridge College riding Keoghan’s Boy.

Shanakill House

Action the following day moved to the south, with Shanakill House Equestrian hosting its inaugural event. Organiser, Jerome Foley stated that everything went really well and it was a terrific day. St Mary’s New Ross claimed both the TRI Equestrian Open teams’ and the EII Novice teams' events.

Cash Advance and Martha Power, Smooth Passon Sarco ridden by Ciara Sinnott, Tomello ridden by Katie Costello and Junipierre and Ava Donovan competed at Open level, while Coolafinka Quinn and Laura Neville, Queenie’s Cornet and Mia Kent, Milchem Havana ridden by Eva Kent and Aoife Cummins on Oliver, competed on the New Ross Novice team. Second place in the Novice teams went to Tullow CS, who following its win in Broadmeadow had a good weekend, when claiming runner-up spot on this occasion.

Tullow’s team was Lady Liath, ridden by Orla Dalton, Max and Lauren Kehoe, Clonfin Lolalicious and Caoimhe Curran and Khaleesi partnered by Una Farrell. Third place went to rivals Borris CS. Borris was represented by Montazuma and Dearbhla Sheehan, Sandy of Springhill ridden by Rosemary Dundon, Coppenagh Otto and Ella Kid and Darragh O’Brien on Ironhill Shooting Star. Remaining Novice league places went to Good Counsel, St Declan’s Kilmacthomas and Scoil Muire Carrick-on-Suir. It certainly is shaping up to be a good league final with points very close at the top.

Open individual

The TRI Equestrian Open Individual league class was won in fine style by Lucy Healy representing Presentation Thurles, she was riding Sunny Sky. Lily Trotter ridden by Kayla Ryan for Borris VS was second with Drummin Pretty Lady and Hannah O’Neill from Carnew in third. Ava Murray riding Déjà Vu for Ard Scoil na nDéise was fourth. Meanwhile, the TRI Premier 110 class saw Sarah Delaney riding Kylebeag Showtime claim the first qualifying slot on offer for Ursuline Thurles. Oisin Phelan and Pepperbell from Coláiste Lorcáin Castledermot were second, with Harry Barton riding for Rockwell College on Millie in third. Fourth place went to Drummin Pretty Lady ridden again by Hannah O’Neill for Carnew and Brock Blizzard with Lexi Tracey from St Joseph’s Secondary School also qualified.

The Equieire 90cm Novice class attracted a strong entry. Victory was claimed by Marie O’Shea from Ardscoil na Mara. She was riding Ard Oilean Bud. Rosemary Dundon claimed second on Sandy of Springhill for Borris VS and fellow pupil Dearbhla Sheehan on Montezuma was third. Remaining qualifying slots went to Ellie Vaughan and Danny Costello. Finally, the red ribbon in the 80cm fun class went to Kate Browne riding Clear Over for Ard Scoil na nDéise.

Action this weekend is in Wexford on Sunday and in Boswell and Ower Equestrian in Galway the following weekend.