A WONDERFUL day was had in the Warrington Top Flight Equestrian Centre last Sunday, where Kilkenny College played host to the 239 riders participating at the TRI Equestrian Interschools Competition.

As part of this, Kilkenny presents a cup in memory of Tiggy Hancock to the winner of the Open League competition and, on this occasion, the cup was won by St Leo’s College’s Louisa Dalton riding Monarch of the Glen – a pony that had been campaigned very successfully by Tiggy herself. Paul Cuddihy, Chef d’Equipe, called this a very special moment. Loreto Kilkenny’s Annette Hughes Kennedy on He’s a Touch of Magic and Susan Brannigan from Ursuline Thurles were second and third. Remaining league points went to Donnach Burns, Alana Gill O’Loughlin and Mia O’Donnell.

Kilkenny College’s Mervyn White Cup was claimed by the team from Ursuline College, Oscar Van De Zeilhoek (ridden by Hilary Brannigan), Imagine D’Argent (Susan Brannigan), Daisy (Grace Ormonde) and Velvet (Juliana Duffy), who pipped the host school’s team JK Maneater (Ned Kelly), Kilpatrick Sparkle (Alannah Bailey), Youghal Paddy (Donnacha Burns) and North Star Hunter (Rachel McMonagle), who settled for second place. Kilkenny College’s Donode Don’t Forget (Isabel Smithwick), Carraun Ferdy (Georgia Queally), Glenrock Lisa (Gloria Queally) and Grantstown Coat of Many Colours (Poppy Walsh) were third, followed by Presentation Kilkenny, Loreto Kilkenny and St Mary’s New Ross.

Host success

The host school did have success however in the TRI Equestrian 110 class with Youghal Paddy (ridden by Donnach Burns), the novice teams with Pheobe Belle Cosmic (Lucy Fitzgerald), Kilcreene Serendipity (Isabel Smithwick), Fairy Dust Clydaga (Emily Pagan) and Just My Junior (Olivia Cullen Kavanagh) and also the Equieire 90cm class (Clonlaras Mademoiselle ridden by Heidi Smyth). Heidi’s sister Tilly riding Gelvin Castle Grey for St Mary’s Bagenalstown won the Primary league qualifier.

Lahinch Ezmo ridden by Rosie Fowler for King’s Hospital was second in the 90cm class, with Lulu Rose Mulhall on KitKat in third. Remaining qualifying spots went to Robyn Fitzgerald, Ellie O’Donnell and Maggie Anthony.

Dan Bolger on Sallybog Willow from Good Counsel was second to Donnach Burns in the 110 class, with Tara Moquet and Stardust from Presentation Thurles in third. Taylor Grace Nolan, Julianna Duffy and Jane Bolger also qualified.

Other novice teams gaining league points in the Hopoti Novice team league were Colaiste Mhuire, Johnstown, St Declan’s Kilmacthomas, St Mary’s New Ross, Gorey CS and Presentation Kilkenny, whilst Tilly Smyth, Rhys O’Brien, Frankie Rath, Rowan Foley-Fisher, Bella Shay Bradley and Lydia Murphy gained primary league points.

Last but not least, the novice 80cm class, open to both novice riders and primary riders was won by Sive Foley Fisher from St Mary’s Bagenalstown riding Northcottage Sandy, with Heartbreak Charlie ridden by Julia Sheehan from Churchill NS in second and Victoria Kerwick and Shadow’s Quest, riding for Colaiste Mhuire Thurles in third.

Kilkenny College also awarded a sportsmanship cup. This went to St Declan’s Kilmacthomas, whose riders and supporters encouraged each other with great enthusiasm throughout the day.

“While we are all tired, the message I kept hearing from riders and families was how much they enjoyed the experience which was really well-run and the old-fashioned hospitality that people enjoyed; 239 riders participated in the event,” said Paul Cuddy.

Action this weekend moves to Mullingar Equestrian Centre.