AT the Galway event, which was hosted by Ower Equestrian, an enthusiastic entry tackled the Ossie Morgan-designed track. The EII Hopoti novice team class was won for the second year running by Clifden Community School, with all four horses going clear. The team consisted of Illaunarra Shadow and Erin O’Neill, Southeast Starlight and Cadhla Curran, Branchfield Dandy ridden by Aoibheann Joyce and Jack partnered by Keris Mae O’Toole. Clifden will host their own leg of the league on March 8th. Clifden’s luck continued when student Erin O’Neill riding Illaunarra Shadow won the EII 90cm Equieire individual qualifier in a fast time of 25.10 seconds.
Ella Heraty riding Cloonbornia Carl won the EII Hopoti novice individual class, Sophie Hawkshaw riding Koala Farani came second and Charlie O’Hara and An Sionnach Rua were in the ribbons, again taking third place back to Ballina. The TRI Equestrian league points in the TRI open individual class went to Keris Mae O’Toole, who took first on Forest Buddy, and Saoirse Steede Duffy with her new horse Sligo Fancy Free, who finished second.
Ballyglass National School student Honor Mannion riding College Rose won the EII Primary school league individual class in a fast time of 24.48. First-time equestrian interschools competitor Charlie O’Hara, riding An Sionnach Rua, came second in a time of 27.38. Finally, Clifden Community School’s luck continued with first and second placings for students Mollie Faherty on Coumbrack Cora and Alannah Joyce riding Branchfield Dandy in the local 60cm individual class.
Kilkenny College win in Wexford
Meanwhile in Wexford, victory went to Kilkenny College to the delight of their chef d’equipe, Paul Cuddihy, in the TRI Equestrian open teams class. This was Kilkenny’s first outright win of the season. The team consisted of Diesel Rocks ridden by Alannah Bailey, Glenrock Lisa and Georgia Queally, Longwood Laura ridden by Gloria Queally and Denode Don’t Forget and Isobel Smithwick.
The consistent team from Loreto Wexford of Hop and Hannah Rose Roche, Churchland’s Liberty ridden by Freya Barry, Andreas Dream and Judy Sinnott and Sally Grey Gallough ridden by Aoife Griffith were second, ahead of Coolafinka Quinn ridden by Laura Neville, Boughlone Nelson and Eva Kent, Ahabrock Storm ridden by Aoife Cummins and Queenies Cornet and Mia Kent from St Mary’s New Ross in third and Bridgetown College’s Ted and Joe Ryan, Gracie and Mollie Bates Doyle, Crossgales Cornacassa ridden by Lily Walsh and Breolie Mist and Hazel Slattery in fourth.
Brooke Sutton McGarry won both the TRI Equestrian Open and Premier 110 classes in fine style. She represents Ramsgrange School and was riding Achill. Hannah Rose Roche and Hop was second for Loreto in both classes and coincidentally Swanview Cream of Dexter ridden by Kate Kavanagh for St Mary’s New Ross was third, again in both classes. Mia Donovan, Tom Hickey and Mollie Bates Kavanagh gained league points in the open individual also, while Laura Neville, Georgia Queally and Isabel Smithwick all qualified for the 110 finals at the end of March.
In the Equeire 90cm qualifier class, Shannon Griffith and WNDA Toby were victorious. She represents Loreto Wexford. The other qualifier spots went to Blake Kavanagh, Donnacha Cousins, Mary Kate Kelly, Michelle Murphy and Harry Fogarty. Loreto Wexford representatives, Firefly Kadie and Izzy Bates, Jumpingdale Peanut and Ruby Cousins, Curraghmore Sparrow and Shannon Griffith and WNDA Toby ridden by Caitlin Griffith won the Hopoti novice teams, ahead of Gorey in second and Bridgetown in third.
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The team from Rathangan National School of Billy Scallan, Gracie Kelly, Sadbh Whelan and Annie Stafford won the primary school team class at Wexford Equestrian \ Michael O'Brien Horse Sport Images
The 75cm individual league class was won by Lucy Day representing Mayglass NS and riding Kilkisheen Girl, with league leader Rhys O’Brien on Clondaw Misty in second and Aerial and Robyn Murphy in third.
Ruth Stafford on Shogs from Presentation College won the Hopoti novice individual class. Rathangan national school won the primary teams class, while Anna ridden by Hannah Dooley for Courtnacuddy National School was victorious in the 55cm class and Ciara Sarsfield on Temper Glenville for Kilmore won the 90cm primary class.
Boswell host league leg
The week before, Boswell Equestrian ran a leg of the league. St Mary’s New Ross were the winners of the TRI Equestrian open teams, gaining another well-deserved 10 points. Queenies Cornett and Mia Kent, Coolafinka Quinn and Laura Neville, Boughlone Nelson and Eva Kent, and Horse with No Name and Aoife Cummins made up the team.
Ailbhe Delahunty on board Rushaun Bobby for Mount Anville was the winner of the TRI Equestrian open individual class and Swan View Cream of Dexter and Kate Kavanagh for St Mary’s New Ross took the Premier 110 class, ahead of Aimee Byrne and Major Profile riding for St Mary’s of Naas.