WE didn’t have space last week to do justice to the very successful Bluegrass Horse Feeds schools team show jumping open championship held on the closing day of the recent Balmoral Show and to congratulate all those who qualified for the final and, in particular, the winners, Down High School.

Five teams from Northern Ireland, and a similar number from the Republic, converged on the Balmoral Park showgrounds from early on Saturday morning as the 10.30am start had to be adhered to with so many activities planned for later in the day in the Main Arena. From his perch, high in the judges’ box, commentator Raymond Bready kept all informed as to what was happening as, once the competition got into full swing, there were two riders competing at the same time – but over different tracks in adjacent roped-off arenas.

At the end of 78 rounds of jumping (there was one absentee), two teams were tied on zero so the judges then had to consider the times to decide on a winner, with Down High School taking the honours in 141.44 and Newbridge College having to settle for the runner-up spot in152.25.

The Down High School show jumping squad has competed in inter-school competitions for several years and the riders were particularly delighted when it was first announced that Bluegrass were going to sponsor a competition in the Main Arena during Balmoral Show. Having qualified for this year’s championship final, the team was determined to bring the Bluegrass Horse Feeds perpetual trophy back to Downpatrick.

Ruth Adams, chef d’equipe to the winning team, takes up the story. “The perfect weather on Saturday added to the occasion and despite some nerves the girls were all determined to enjoy themselves. They are currently sitting their GCSE and A level exams in school which meant that they were under added pressure to keep their horses fit for the event.

“Tara Dixon (daughter of Olympic rider Karen Dixon) on Hawaii was our reserve rider and she stepped in at the last minute. The team captain Alex Cleland rode Rafa Smash, Jessica Nelson rode Duke and Charis Vinaccia was our fourth rider with Derry Mac.

“I am absolutely delighted and extremely proud of the team. We have worked hard to firmly establish show jumping as part of the extra-curricular activities at the school and it certainly attracts a lot of interest. I currently have five teams, but, unfortunately, only one can qualify for the Bluegrass championship; the pupils competing at 85cms level would love to go to Balmoral!

“The riders’ commitment to the team was acknowledged with a school trip to the three-day event at Burghley last September and we hope to go from strength to strength, having competed at the inter-school championships at Mullingar in April.”

Newbridge College was represented by four of the squad who ensured the team’s qualification for Balmoral when winning the TRI Equestrian interschools final at Mullingar, namely Caragh Sweeney (Kippure Steepleview Jack), Leah Heffernan (My Rockstown Two), Niamh Behan (Mullaballoo) and Max Ross (Ballydavid Souz).

One pole down from eight rounds of jumping meant that Gorey Community College, winner of the most improved team in the TRI Equestrian series, finished in third place with four faults. The Wexford school’s riders were Emma Steacy (Castlemore Cailin), Emma Carton (Bobbing Robin), Michelle Hughes (Curious Daisy) and Jessica Murphy (Ashwood Bouncer).

The fifth-placed Ballyclare trio of Jessica McConnell (Bella Voce and Harlequin Merrymaker), Emma Ewing (Murph) and Benjamin Gilmore (Belleville Kate) won the best turned-out prize.