The Wexford-based club finished on a total of four penalties but the competition had an extremely close finish as the second last rider into the ring, Anne Lambert, needed a clear round on Reality to win the competition outright, which she duly delivered.

Nine teams contested the TRI Equestrian class, where Carne led from start to finish as the only team to complete their first round with no faults over Hillary Collins’ track.

Benbulben, Donegal Gaeltacht, Greenhills, Mo Chara and the visiting team from the British Riding Clubs, Nantwich, ended their opening round with a tally of eight penalties apiece.

Mill Road were on nine penalties and Castle Leslie on 16, while last year’s winners, Thomastown and District, racked up a total of 18 penalties.

Only five double clear rounds were recorded during the two rounds as the pressure mounted in the second half of the competition. Thomastown picked up another 13 penalties to put them out of contention, while Castle Leslie ended up on 25 and Mo Chara also finished out of the ribbons on a total of 20.

Mill Road and Nantwich both ended the day on a total of 17 penalties but when time was factored into the equation, Nantwich were awarded fifth place with a narrow margin when the times were combined leaving Mill Road in sixth.

Benbulben doubled their tally after the opening round to finish on 16 penalties in fourth place while Greenhills improved on their opening tally, adding a further four penalties. Their tally of 12 left the Kildare-based club in third place.

The three-member Donegal Gaeltacht team had nothing to add after their second round to finish on a total of eight penalties to claim the blue ribbons.

Second last to jump, Anne Lambert, had no room for error as a pole on the floor would have resulted in a jump-off but the Carne rider showed her experience and delivered another foot-perfect round on her 15-year-old bay gelding, Reality, to secure pole position.

Sue Corish also provided a double clear round on Woodville Pat for the Wexford club, while a clear round from Demi Farrell (Cool Sam) and just four penalties from Conor Ryan (Clonkyle Pilgrim) ensured the team won the spoils.

Lambert said after the win: “Winning this team challenge topped off a great weekend for us all, we are absolutely delighted to have won it. The Riding Clubs Festival is a great event and brings all of your club together.”