THE first TRI Equestrian Interschools competition of the 2025-2026 season was hosted by longtime supporter Wexford Equestrian, where Orla Roche and her team laid on a very enjoyable day of Interschools competition. A total of 45 teams lined out across the open, novice and primary school team competitions and there were very healthy entries in the league and qualifier classes.

The first open league points of the new season were gained by St Mary’s New Ross, Colaiste Bhride Carnew, Kilkenny College, Presentation College and Bridgetown College. The winning New Ross team comprised Coppenagh Comet and Hannah Hennessy Murphy, Crows Grove Nelly ridden by Mai Donovan, Swanview Cream of Dexter and Kate Kavanagh and Coola Finka Quinn ridden by Laura Neville, whilst runner-up Carnew was represented by Parkmore D and Emily Wafer, Frederick of Fantastic Beasts and Claire Hill Doyle, Althorpe ridden by Lucy Walsh and Corky Rocks with Chloe Walsh. JK Maneater ridden by Ned Kelly, Black Trigger ridden by Amber Clarke, Youghal Paddy and Donnacha Burns and Kilpatrick Sparkle ridden by Alannah Bailey made up the Kilkenny College team in third. Final points were awarded to Presentation College and Bridgetown. Ten teams competed.

Dylan Barrett on China Man from St Peter’s College claimed the honours in the TRI Open Team class, ahead of Taylor Grace Gee and Ramiro Van Het Overlede Goed from Kilkenny and Hannah Rose Roche and Hop from Loreto Wexford in third. Remaining individual league points went to Emma Byrne, Ailbhe Delahunty and Katie Byrne from Carnew, Mount Anville and Waterpark College respectively.

The final Open class on offer was the TRI Premier 110 class. Dylan Barrett from St Peter’s College made it a double, this time partnering Glenbawn Lass, as did Taylor Grace Gee from Kilkenny on Ramiro Van Het Overlede Goed, who was second. Third place went to Kilkenny College representative Ned Kelly riding JK Maneater. The final qualifying spots were gained by Tom O’Donnell on Benji, Hannah Rose Roche o Hop and Emma Byrne on Boularee.

Red rosettes

Sixteen novice teams lined out for the Hopoti novice league, with the red rosettes and 10 league points going to local school Loreto Wexford represented by WNDA Toby and Caitlin Griffith, She’s For Luck ridden by Shannon Griffith, DS With Me and Harriet Bolger and Firefly Kadie with Izzy Bates. Loreto also claimed second place in the competition, represented by Outliar ridden by Emily Mai Purcell, Jumping Dale Peanut and Ruby Cousins, Ballynoe Liz with Mary Kate Kelly and Ticklebrooks Jaguar and Sadye Moran. St Mary’s New Ross was third. Brooklane Buachaill with Clodagh Murphy, Finlea Hazmay ridden by Ruth O’Hanlon, Rosemount Flashpoint and Kitty D’alton and Benji with Kate Corcoran made up the New Ross team. Remaining league points went to Ramsgrange, Gorey, Wexford CBS and Presentation Wexford.

Achill and Brooke Sutton McGarry from Ramsgrange, Blake Kavanagh and Rathduff Ruby from Colaiste Abbain Adamstown, Andrea’s Dream and Judy Sinnott from Loreto, Kilpatrick Forget me not ridden by Amelia Healy for Wesley College, Ellie Brosnan Fleming and Westside Mirah Bob from Colaiste Bhride Enniscorthy all qualified for the Equieire novice 90cm final, as did Hannah Crosbie and Granite Kate from New Ross in sixth.

The EII Primary 75cm novice league class was won by Rhys O’Brien from Blackwater NS, with Peter Connolly from Castlepark NS riding Highmead Song and Dance in second. Local school Kilmore’s Rosie Scallon and Tyrrellspass Duchess claimed third. Final league points go to Caoimhe Coleman, Lilly Kelly and Hannah Dooley.

The Hopoti fun novice 80cm class was won by Ballynoe Liz and Mary Kate Kelly for Loreto Wexford, while the 55cm primary class went to Pachy and Ciara O’Sullivan from Ballaghkeene NS.

Primary teams

The Primary team class, which is part of a local league went the way of Rathangan NS Purple, represented by Missy and Billy Scallan, Proud Mary with Gracie Kelly, My Clongeen Bramble and Annie Stafford and Arielle ridden by Sadhbh Whelan. Wexford also runs a Primary 90cm league and victory in this was claimed by Paddington Pal and Matthew Rochel from Kilrane NS.

The action this weekend is in Warrington Equestrian Centre where Kilkenny College are the hosts.