ALL the action was in the indoor arena at JAG on Sunday, the weather was kind to the event with a good bright day. Alexandra College, the host school, is in its second year competing with a novice team, who fared well on the day with second place in their class and gave their congratulations to Tullow Community School on their win. The hosts were also represented well by Catherine O’Connor on two horses in both the Open Individual and 1.10m class, taking three rosettes home for the school. Caoimhe Davis had a fourth place for the hosts in the Novice Individual competition.

The TRI Equestrian Open team class saw just three teams take part, with Wesley College carrying no faults as the first team out, with three clear rounds from their four riders, LG Arkall (Saoirse Handley), Slanelough Supremacy (Maresa Vard), Ballinteskin Gala (Mia Murphy), Enniskerry Pedro (Jack Murphy). The team from Wesley College were not tested with a jump-off, however, as second place went to Newbridge College’s team on four faults after their four riders. Ellen O’Neill impressed with a very fast time in the round for Newbridge and took more prizes later in the day. The full team was Gateau Mr Blue (Ellen O’Neill), Freddie (Claire Nestor), Lucky (Isabelle Walsh), Keogans Boy (Cici Murray). Third place went to Kilkenny College, who had two clears from their three combinations, Charlie (Martha Dolan), Chance Cabana (Olivia Cullen Kavanagh), Donode Don’t Forget (Isabel Smithwick).

Open individuals

The TRI Equestrian Open Individual class was the most competitive on the day and provided great entertainment for the spectators. Only four seconds separated first and sixth place. Second rider out, Alice Curley (EE Parlanti Cruise), was in the early lead for King’s Hospital on a very good time, which eventually gave her fourth place, but the lead changed hands three more times, with Cici Murray and Lucy Gaffney also taking it in their turn until Galtee Shadow ridden by Johnny Shepard of Coláiste Bríde, last rider out, claimed the win followed by World of Orestus (Lucy Gaffney) for St Mary’s Naas in second, Keogans Boy (Cici Murray) for Newbridge College third, EE Parlanti Cruise (Alice Curley) for The King’s Hospital fourth, Vervida (Catherine O’Connor) for hosts Alexandra College fifth and Ogue Ellie May (Tara Ennis) Scoil Mhuire Clane in sixth.

Winner of the Premier 1.10m Ellen O'Neill of Newbridge College with Gateau Mr Blue at the Alexandra College Interschools at JAG Equestrian \ Liam Brew

Premier 1.10m

The TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10m class had just seven combinations taking part, with winner Ellen O’Neill of Newbridge College mounted on Gateau Mr Blue taking her second rosette of the day. Ellen was followed in second by Catherine O’Connor riding Penny for the hosts. Lucy Gaffney on World of Orestus was third and Catherine O’Connor again on Vervida fourth, fifth was Johnny Shepard on Galtee Shadow for Coláiste Bride and sixth was Alice Curley on EE Parlanti Cruise for The King’s Hospital, over a testing course that saw only two clear rounds.

The Novice Team Event saw eight teams take part, attending on the day were Borris Vocational School, Tullow Community School, St Gerard’s, Alexandra College, a combined team from The King’s Hospital and Kilkenny College, Newbridge College was well represented with two teams out and local school Blessington Community College. After the first rounds, the hosts and Tullow Community School were to deliver the only jump-off of the day. First in was Siofra Bulfin Brew on Cleighrane Warrior for the hosts, followed by Killian Tobin on Hershey’s Kiss for Tullow. Killian put Tullow in the lead and after clear showings in the jump-off for both Caoimhe Davis of Alexandra College on Birchill Another Star and Lauren Keogh on Max for Tullow; the timing saw Tullow the winners. Also riding for Tullow were Niamh Tobin on Miss Izzy Showbusy and Una Farrell on Khaleesi Stormborn, the Alex team was completed by Lucy Watson Ryan on Charlie D in her first event for the school and Hazel Walsh on Sir Blue Jake.

Novice individuals

The Novice Individual class was won by Emma Curry on Carnhill Tulip for Killashee National School. Emma is a frequent competitor also for Newcastle Lyons Pony Club. Second went to Yulia Di Nardi Maher riding Kevelle for Ardscoil Na Tríonóide, followed by Jack Hargaden on Blitz, Caoimhe Davis on Birchill Another Star for the hosts and Sara O’Reilly on My Fair Lady for Scoil Chonglais. In sixth was Ruby Cullen Kavanagh for Athy Model School on Smallfords Poppy.

Next up in the ring was the Equieire EII 90cm qualifier. The winner was Marina Bolton on Castlegannon Tara for The King’s Hospital in another very competitive class, with very little time dividing the results. Second was Lucy Gaffney on Zazu Du Careo and third went to Charlotte Butler for St Mary’s. Fourth went to Dearbhala Sheehan on Montezuma for Borris VS, Marina was again fifth, this time on Kilcoagh Scirocco. Sixth went to Sarah Boyce Donohue on Park Clover. As Marina had already qualified, Isabel Walsh for Loreto Wexford and Lilly Sullivan for Scoil Dara Kilcock also took home qualifying rosettes with their clear rounds.

The Primary teams event was a head to head between Scoil Diarmada and a combined team from Athy Model School and Bennekerry NS. The competition was won in fine style by Scoil Diarmada who were clear all the way with Walter (Anna Curry), Ivy (Sophie White), Pixie (Maya White) and Rinka (Katie Gannon). Athy/Bennekerry with Smallford’s Poppy (Ruby Cullen Kavanagh), Crumble (Hvar Kelly), Bunbury So Thrilled (Emily Farrell) and Foggy (Jacob Corley) finished on a team score of four faults and were very pleased with their rosettes and prizes also.

The final event of the day was the Primary Individual 65cm, which saw Ruby Cousins and Bluebell for Kilmore NS take first from a field of 16 pony and rider combinations. Second went to Ailbhe Delahunty on Buster for Mount Anville. In third were Oh Me Oh My ridden by Luca Kinsella for Listerlin NS, followed by Rinka (Katie Gannon) for Scoil Diarmada, Ardville Fairytale (Jacob Cluxton Corley) for St Brigid’s NS Grange, Bunbury So Thrilled (Emily Farrell) for Bennekerry NS. The competitors in this class were all in the prizes with a participation prize for all.

Interschools competition continues next week at Wexford Equestrian.