WESLEY College hosted the last TRI Equestrian Interschools before the final taking place this weekend. The venue was CoilÓg Equestrian and it attracted a large crowd.

Colaiste Bhride Carnew continued their good form when taking the win in the TRI Equestrian Open Teams event. The team members were Adventure (Cian Byrne), Galtee Shadow (Johnnie Shepard), Lunasa Cruise (Sophie Wilson), Drummin Pretty Lady (Hannah O’Neill). Second place went to the host school Wesley College, represented by LGS Safari (Emily Crawford), Horseware Pearls Princess (Peter Walker), Ballinteskin Gala (Jack Murphy), Kiltale Boy (Charlotte Goor) with Newbridge College in third. Newbridge was represented by Cornaughy Noel (Sarah Fleming), Rammagh Boy (Cici Murray), Empress Nala (Mia Browne), Mullacrew Heights (Keelin Scott).

Emily O’Neill riding for Mercy College won the TRI Equestrian Open Individual class, riding Zothen’s Noble. Sophie Wilson and Lunasa Cruise from Carnew were second ahead of LGS Safari and Emily Crawford representing Wesley. The remaining league points went to Hannah O’Neill, Charlotte Goor and Alannah Bailey.

There was a win for the host school in a very competitive Horse Sport Ireland 1.10m class when Emily Crawford emerged as the winner, partnering LGS Safari ahead of Carnew’s Sophie Wilson on Lunasa Cruise and HL Todd ridden by Cian Byrne also from Carnew. Jack Murphy riding Ballinteskin Gala for Wesley was fourth with Carnew’s Johnny Sheppard on Galtee Shadow and Emily O’Neill on Tullineaskey Diamond Mate from Mercy Kilbeggan in fifth and sixth.

Joy for Dunboyne team

The St. Peter’s College Dunboyne team were delighted with their win in the EII Novice Teams event. Inchydoney (Lilly Knapp-McMahon), Red Gap Mac (Maria Connolly), Ardmount Nazra (Colleen Klinowska), San Francisco Clover (Sadhbh Finlay) were on the Dunboyne team.

Arraghbeg Honey (Nina Boydell), Domino Dan (Ali Condren), Ballygarris Fear Bui (Bibi Devereaux), Chesterfield Erin Curtis (Darby Condren) from St Gerard’s were runners-up, with Tullow Community School’s Hersheys Kiss (Niamh Tobin), Myshall Gerry (Caoimhe Curran), Lady Liath (Orla Dalton), Pablo (Una Farrell) in third ahead of Wesley College, Newbridge College and Borris VS in fourth, fifth and sixth.

The Equieire EII 90cm qualifier was claimed by Ballydeely ridden by Sophie Crosthwaite from St Andrews with Oisin Phelan on Pepper bell from Colaiste Lorcain in second ahead of Rosemary Dundon from Borris VS in third. She was riding Sandy Springhill. The remaining qualifying slots went to Amy Griffith from Loreto Wexford on Starlight Express, Blue ridden by Sean Fenton from St Michael’s College and Orla Dalton (Lady Lea) from Tullow Community College.

Ten points in the bag

Hazel Slattery gained the 10 points in the EII 75cm primary individual league. Representing Kilraine NS, she was riding Breolie Mist. Ryan and Claudia O’Neill from St. Anne’s Tyrrellspass were second and third riding Jedi Skywalker and Sparkles in the Rain. Shannon Griffin on Wnda Toby for Screen NS was fourth ahead of Danial Wall and Anna Curry.

In the primary team fun event, a mixed team from Scoil Bhride Kilcullen and Donard NS emerged victorious. The team members were Charlie Browne (Nia Webbon), Freddie Flint (Eirwen Webbon), Four Seasons Arabesque (Marina Bolton), Tasty Lucy (Amy Byrne).

Second place went to the St. Brigid’s NS Kildare-Bentley (Aela Twomey), Robbie (Evie Houlihan), Bear (Sophie Evans), Splash (Sarah Walshe). Third place went to Scoil Diarmuida Castledermot represented by Dolly (Anna Curry), Pippy (Maya White), Jett (Lauren O’Sullivan), Millboy Wendy (Killian Tobin). Sophie Flood riding Chance for Newbridge College won the 80cm class ahead of Amelia Flynn on Windstorm Achilles and Aine Hayes on Ginger both from Cross and Passion.

The 55cm class was claimed by Anna Curry on Dolly riding for Scoil Diarmuida Castledermot with Isla Coad in second and third.

There is all to play for at the final this weekend, with great prizes from EII and all EII’s generous sponsors (see also pages 96-97 for Equestrian Interschoosl feature).