ST GERARD’s School organised the sixth round of the TRI Equestrian Interschools League, hosted at Boswell Equestrian last Sunday amid bright, dry conditions.

There were eight Open teams competing for the St Gerard’s Trophy, three of which finished on zero faults – Wesley College blue team, Newbridge College white team and St Gerard’s.

The jump-off was very exciting, with Harriet Bernon on Miss Poppins being the first combination to take to the course, having a speedy clear round.

Robyn O’Donnell riding Flintstone B of Newbridge College also went clear and Grace O’Shea on Why So Coy of Wesley College had just one pole down. The second line riders were next to jump with Ciaran Foley riding Crown Jewel giving St Gerard’s School their second clear round.

Mary Fitzgerald and Dante Dellacaccia gave Newbridge College their second clear and Holly Duggan and Newhaven Nero had a super clear.

In the end, St Gerard’s School had the fastest double clears and were triumphant on the day.

The St Gerard’s team included Claire Fisher on Inspector Hilda, Harriet Bernon and Miss Poppins, Emma Ward riding Metalbridge Honey and Ciaran Foley on Crown Jewel. Not only did they claim the trophy but also went home with rugs, sponsored by O’Reilly’s Auction Rooms.

Newbridge College’s white team of Niamh Behan, Mary Fitzgerald, Robyn O’Donnell and Hannah Popplewell were second and Wesley College’s blue team of Siun Handley, Juliet Keyes, Grace O’Shea and Holly Duggan were third. The turnout prize for the Open Team competition went to Newbridge College’s white team.

The Open Individual competition was won by Jessica Phelan riding Ruby for Dominican College. They won a rug, kindly sponsored by Jacksonstone Recruitment.

Novices

The Novice division was very busy, with 12 teams competing for the rugs, kindly sponsored by SoftCo. Three teams went through to the jump-off, with Shannon O’Farrell and Miller from St Gerard’s blue team taking to the course first and delivering a clear round.

The next two riders – Viktoria Starzak on Nemo from Holy Child Killiney and Eve Killian riding Dolly from Scoil Mhuire Trim – also posted clear rounds.

Then it was the turn of the second line riders, Amelie Nowlan riding Legends Mate made it two super clear rounds for St Gerard’s blue team while Meabh Long on Crofs Clover riding for Scoil Mhuire Trim left one pole on the ground. The last jump-off rider was Lexie O’Byrne White riding Jackson who had a very speedy clear round.

In the end Holy Child Killiney won by less than one second –their team included Lexie O’Byrne White and Jackson, Isabelle Mathews on Ashvale Minstrel and Viktoria Starzak riding Nemo. Second place was won by St Gerard’s blue team – Amelie Nowlan on Legends Mate, Florence Jackson Pratt riding Pippi Longstockings, Anna Wall on Major and Shannon O’Farrell riding Miller.

Third place was awarded to Scoil Mhuire Trim’s Lucy McGovern and Ashmount Clover, Eve Killian on Dolly, Meabh Long riding Crofs Clover and Emily Brooks on Kilcarty Forward Thinking.

The novice team turnout prize went to St Gerard’s green team of Leah Hogan on George, Ali Pratt and Cullinagh Hero, Amelie Moore riding Chesterfield Erin Curtis and Charlotte Coffee on Ardnore Teal.

The novice individual competition was won by Pippa Bellows, riding Corclough Mirah for St Gerard’s School, who received a rug, kindly sponsored by Jacksonstone Recruitment.