THE strength of interschools show jumping was very evident in Barnadown Equestrian Centre on Sunday, October 15th, with 53 teams competing in the Open, Novice and Primary competitions. Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, was delighted to host this leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools League.

Throughout the day, the three show jumping arenas were action-packed. The Open teams’ competition, sponsored by TRI Equestrian and Red Mills, saw eight teams on zero faults after two rounds of jumping. The jump-off track required precision, a few short cuts and a gallop to the last. The Newbridge College team of Isabelle Walsh, Bonnie O’Neill, Ellen O’Neill and Lucy McCarthy finished on four faults in a time of 76.24 seconds, which secured them pole position.

Second place went to St Gerard’s Bray, when Pippa Bellows and Bibi Devreux stopped the clock on 88.45 seconds, but with an unfortunate four faults. They were joined by Saoirse Lunn and Cocobell Manning. Ashbourne Community School finished on four faults in 89.43 seconds, which put them into third; the team was comprised of Saoirse Kiernan, Hannah Lynham, Aimee Walsh and Leeland Burtenshaw.

The Novice teams’ class had a massive entry, with 26 teams in the competition. The jump-off, with 12 teams vying for a place in the line-up, provided plenty of action and excitement. Loreto College Wexford took first place, with no jumping penalties in a time of 65.72 seconds. Team members were Leah Murphy, Kate Jordan, Faye Howlin and Kate Jones.

Second place went to a team from Tullow Community School, who stopped the clock in 67.46 seconds with zero faults. Team riders were Una Farrell, Cillian Tobin and Lauren Keogh. Loreto College Wexford (Red) earned third place. Team members were Aoife Griffith, Isabell Walsh, Amy Griffith and Anna Radford. They also had no jumping faults and their finishing time was 67.98 seconds.

Primary

The Primary competition was hotly contested, with 18 teams starting. First place went to a combined team from Tullow Girls’ NS/ Kilkea NS/ Gaelscoil Carlow, who finished on zero faults in a time of 61.03 seconds. Team members were Muireann Tooher, Daniel Wall and Roco Mulhall. The second place rosettes went to Kilmore National School, who had a finishing time of 68.49 seconds without faults. The team riders were Rosie Scallon, Saoirse Cousins, Maisy Mooney and Ruby Cousins. Scoil Aodan Naofa Carnew earned third place. Team members were Ellie May Fortune, Erin Davies, Gwilym Davies and Joel Keane and they finished on 68.85 seconds, again with no faults.

Individuals

The winner in the 65-75cm Individual class was Ruby Cousins representing Kilmore National School. Second place went to Shannon Griffith from Screen National School. Caitlin Griffith, also representing Screen National School, took the third rosette.

An amazing 52 individual riders competed in the Novice Individual 80cm competition. First place went to Robyn Prendergast, who represented Gorey Community School. Lucy Kent, a pupil in Réalt na Mara, Dunmore, was placed second. Third place went to Alicia Corrigan, who was representing Presentation College, Wexford.

Qualifier

The Equieire 90cm Qualifying class, individual qualifier went to Aoife Griffith from Loreto College Wexford. In second place, also representing Loreto College Wexford, was Kate Jones. Third place went to Dylan Barrett, who was jumping for his school, St Peter’s College Wexford.

The TRI Equestrian Open 1m Individual competition was won by Amber Farrell from Gorey Community School. Second place went to Hannah O’Neill from Coláiste Bhríde Carnew. Lily Gallagher, a student in Gorey Community School, took the third rosette with TRI Equestrian vouchers being presented to all three.

The TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10m individual qualifier demonstrated talented jumping and determination. First place went to Lucy McCarthy from Newbridge College. Also representing Newbridge College, Ellen O’Neill, was placed second. Isabelle Byrne from F.C.J. Bunclody took the third rosette.

The event was a great day of Equestrian Interschools jumping, where expectation and determination were central. Coláiste Bhríde expressed their gratitude to all sponsors for their support. “Thank you to Equestrian Schools Ireland, to Barnadown Show Jumping and everyone who made the day a success,” they said. “Well done to all who competed and congratulations to those who were in the ribbons.”

Interschools action continues at Garranemore Equestrian Centre, Limerick, on October 21st, with the TRI Equestrian Interschools League.