NEWBRIDGE College hosted the latest leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools league in JAG Equestrian Centre last Saturday.

The EII Novice teams league class commenced proceedings and St Gerard’s produced determined jumping to see off host school Newbridge College into the runner-up slot. Borris Vocational School was third with Tullow in fourth place.

St Gerard’s was represented by Arraghbeg Honey, ridden by Nina Boydell, Harvey and Lily Maloney, Ella Bella and Honor Mullion and Carnakilly Riley, ridden by Victoria Roche.

The Newbridge team was Caherdavin Blackjack, ridden by Emili Smith, Knockma Girl II and Ava Rose Berg, Caton Fought on Le Vie Est Belle and Chance and Sophie Flood, whilst Hedge Sparrow, ridden by Harry Griffith, Dearbhla Sheehan on Montazuma, Ella Kidd riding Coppenagh Otto and Ironhill Shooting Star with Darragh O’Brien made up the Borris team. Fourth and fifth went to Tullow and Newbridge.

The novice 80cm class, open to both primary and novice secondary pupils, followed, and Pippa Gaffney riding Zazu du Carrel for Ballykane School claimed first place, ahead of Caherdavin Blackjack and Isabelle Smith from Allen NS in second and St Mell’s Evelyn Murray on Bally Willia in third.

The always popular Equieire 90cm qualifier class featured a number of already qualified combinations, but also some new combinations gearing up for the fast-approaching final. First place went to Lucy O’Rourke on Killglass Jimmy riding for Killina Presentation School and the runner-up slot was claimed by Newbridge College’s Mai Monahan on Carrickfad Cloud Break, ahead of Ella Kidd from Borris on Coppenagh Otto in third. Honor Mullion and Nina Boydell from St Gerard’s were fourth and fifth with Marina Bolton from The King’s Hospital in sixth. They rode Ella Bella, Arraghbeg Honey and Castlegannon Tara. Because some combinations were already qualified, Marina was able to qualify her second pony Kilcoagh Sirocco and Leesha Moy on Abfield’s Grace also claimed a qualifying slot.

Duignan’s strike

Attention then turned to the TRI Equestrian-sponsored classes. The team event went to a very happy team from Mercy Ballymahon, the Duignan siblings Katie, Ella and Calum riding A Boy Duggie, Wyndham Miss Ellie and Illane Dante, joined by Aine Murray on Carly I Know Well. They saw off the in-form Wesley College team of LG Arkall and Saoirse Handly, Slanelough Supremacy, ridden by Maresa Vard, and Enniskerry Pedro and Mia Murphy and St. Mary’s New Ross: Cash Advance, ridden by Martha Power, Smooth Passin Sarco and Ciara Sinnott, Tomello, ridden by Katie Costello, and Ava Donovan on Junipierre. It promises to be a very competitive league final. Fourth and fifth places went to Newbridge College and Kilkenny College.

A boy Duggie (Katie Duignan) of Ballymahon, winners of the TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10M individual class at the Newbridge College Interschools at JAG Equestria \ rolf stenberg jumpinaction.net

Queen Bee

The TRI Equestrian Individual class followed. Victory went to host school Newbridge College’s Mary Fitzgerald riding Queen of Dancing Bee, with India Cox from Ursuline Thurles on Bruckless Elmer in second and Borris’ Kayla Ryan on Lily Trotter in third. Remaining league points were claimed by Claire Nestor, Toby O’Leary and Ella Duignan.

Katie Duignan on A Boy Duggie for Mercy Ballymahon produced a great round to claim victory in the TRI Equestrian Premier 1.10m class. Newbridge’s Mary Fitzgerald, again riding Queen of Dancing Bee, was second with Toby O’Leary from St Michael’s in third.

Major Profile, ridden by Aimee Byrne for St Mary’s Naas, Eva O’Neill on Blessington Prince Royal and Kayla Ryan riding Lily Trotter representing Borris, took the remaining qualifying slots.

Whilst there were no Primary teams on this occasion, there were no shortage of riders taking on the fun Primary 55cm and the EII Primary 75cm classes. Shannon Griffith from Screen NS riding Curraghmore Sparrow added another 10 points to move up the leaderboard by winning the class, as did Ruby Cousins. She represents Kilmore NS and rides Bluebell.

Luca Kinsella on OhMeOhMy from Listerlin, Anna Curry and Walter for Scoil Dhiarmada and Ailbhe Delahunty on Buster from Mount Anville also increased their score when taking third, fourth and fifth. Pippa Gaffney riding Beppy from Ballykane was sixth. Jacob Cluxton Corey on Ard Fill Fairytale from Grange NS won the 55cm class, with Ruby Cousins and Julie Kinsella in second and third.

Action this Sunday is provided by Bridgetown College in Wexford.