THERE were two TRI Equestrian Interschools Ireland events held over the bank holiday weekend. Ballynonty Equestrian hosted its inaugural interschools competition on Sunday, October 25th and Shanakill House Equestrian followed on the bank holiday Monday, October 26th.

In Ballynonty, the TRI Equestrian open team competition was a two-way battle between Ursuline Thurles - represented by Coppenagh Spring Sparrow ridden by Evie Kennedy, Miss Hollymount Pearl and Charlotte Lee, Hilltown Quality Cruise ridden by Katie Coonan and Classic Piper and Siún Coleman - and Presentation Kilkenny, made up of Conaveemaxi ridden by Lexie Brennan, Jack with Orla O’Keefe, Barrowvalley Maximus ridden by Charlotte O’Connell and Artic Star and Anna Royle, with Ursuline Thurles coming out in pole position to gain 10 points.

In the open individuals’ class, Louisa Dalton and Monarch of the Glen riding for St Leo’s Carlow claimed the red rosette, ahead of Newhaven Royaletta and Sophie Hand from Ursuline Thurles and Barrowvalley Maximus and Charlotte O’Connell from Presentation Kilkenny in third. Also in the rosettes were Anna Ryle, Kelly Moloney and Orla O’Keefe.

In the novice teams’ class, Ursuline Thurles Blue - Flowerhill Bobby and Aoibhinn Manton, Kilmore Sunshine ridden by Sadhbh Butler, Buachaill and Harriet Everitt and Coral Tom with Jane Kearney - claimed first place, ahead of Colaiste Mhuire Co-Ed Thurles. Shadows Quest and Victoria Kerwick, Lady and Aideen Kennedy, Gaul’s Jazzy Dancer and Mya Campion represented Thurles. St Leo’s Carlow’s Fiadh and Shoshanna Gaffney, Pippi Short Stockings with Darci Hutton, Knocka Darcy and Éinín Dwyer and Barrington partnered by Louisa Dalton, were third. Also gaining league points were Presentation Kilkenny, John the Baptist and Presentation Thurles.

Frankie Rath and Catch Me Now from Screen NS took pole position in the 65cm primary league class, while Honor Mannion and College Rose from Gort CS was the winner of the novice 80cm class.

Packed day at Shanakill

The following day, action moved to Waterford, where the team at Shanakill were the hosts. In a packed day, an easy victory went to St Declan’s Kilmacthomas - Cannelle ridden by Louise Flynn, Valentine Quadrita and Abbey Murphy and Kinlough Lad and Mia O’Donnell - who had the TRI Equestrian open teams’ class to themselves.

Brooke Sutton McGarry and Castle Ellis Lil riding for Ramsgrange CS took the win in both the open individual and the Premier 110 classes. Lu Lu Lucy, ridden by Frankie Motherway for Pobalscoil na Trionoide Youghal, was runner-up in the open individuals, ahead of Mia O’Donnell on Kinlough Lad from St Declan’s Kilmacthomas. My Gurranes Hot Stuff and Alana O’Loughlin riding for Scoil Mhuire Greenhill was second in the 110 class, with Alana O’Loughlin and Glenside Seattle, also from Greenhill, in third.

In the Equieire novice 90cm class, Midleton College’s Grace Forrest and Drummond Bambee claimed the red rosette, ahead of Sally’s Hero and Sarah Gleeson, Lucy Russell and Grace Dieu Social from Greenhill and Rockview Pumpkin Pie and Clodagh Dunne from St Declan’s.

Comeragh College Tipperary, represented by My Blessington Finian Fly and Caoimhe Treacy, Abbeydurlas Munster Magic ridden by Zara Cook, Sallys Hero and Sarah Gleeson and Lustre Dawn partnered by Katelyn Brophy, were the winners of the EII novice teams’ class. Faye Morrissey Ryan and Cairnview Kit Kat from Colaiste Abbain won the 80cm novice individuals, while Blackwater National School’s Clondaw Misty and Rhys O’Brien, Spring Harry Silver with Mia Wall, Drogane Sparkie and Lottie Kelly and Ginger Snapper and Ruby Walsh, won the Primary teams’ class.

There is no interschools event this weekend and action moves to Wexford and Ower in Galway the following weekend.