THE team at Boswell Equestrian, headed by Mathew Pereira, hosted the final leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools league before the Christmas break. While the weather was not very kind this did not deter competitors and supporters from having an enjoyable day.

The team from St Mary’s New Ross emerged victorious in the TRI Equestrian open league team event. Milchem Havanna (Eva Kent), Ahabrock Storm (Aoife Cummins) and Queenies Cornett (Mia Kent) represented St Mary’s and consolidated the school’s lead in the league at this, the halfway point of the season.

Wesley College’s Cluain Robby (Eva McCraith), Kilpatrick Forget Me Not (Amelia Henley) and Luciana (Lulu Rose Mulhall) took the runner-up slot with Borris College represented by U Colman (Darragh O’Brien), Metal Bridge Rocky (Aine Murphy), Ah to Be Sure (Rosemary Dundon) and Lady Obelenski (Harry Griffith) in third; Newbridge College’s Coppenagh Blitz (Jack Hardigan), Mountain Girl (Bobby Weld) and Mise Moydrum Clover (Isabelle Smith) finished fourth.

Boularee, ridden by Laura Byrne from Avondale Community College Rathdrum, won the TRI Equestrian Open Individual while two Borris representatives - Harry Griffith and Obolensky and Lily ridden by Rosemary Dundon - were second and third.

Remaining placings went to Ailbhe Delahunty, Aine Murphy and Toby O’Leary. Ailbhe Delahunty improved on her fourth place in the 1m when claiming the win in the Premier 1.10m qualifier class. She was riding Rushaun Bobby for Mount Anville School. Emma Byrne riding Boularee for Avondale was runner-up.

St. Michael’s College’s Mark O’Leary, riding Diego, qualified for the Equieire novice 90 class, taking first place. Clare Hayden and the Conman for FCJ Bunclody, and fellow pupil Caoimhe Scott on KitKat, also qualify in second and third. Remaining qualifying places went to Lulu Rose Mulhall, Saoirse Di Biasi and Patrick Fenton.

Novice winners

As well as qualifying for the Equieire novice 90 final, Mark O’Leary and Diego and Patrick Fenton riding Poppy were part of the team from St Michael’s College which was victorious in the Hopoti Novice teams’ event. They were joined on the team by Sean Fenton and Silver and Tadhg O’Leary on ESI Annaghmore.

The Kings Hospital team was runner-up, represented by Cucaracha De Circe (Penny O’Brien), Lahinch Gizmo (Rosie Fowler) and Kilea Peril (Lillian Ward). The St Gerard’s Bray team of Ballyea Star (Kate Buckley), Fivealley Popeye (Saoirse Di Biasi), Cluain an Johnson (Isabella Di Biasi) and Kilberan (Isabella Galligan) were third. Scoil Mhuire Trim, Ard Scoil na Trionoide and Presentation De La Salle also gained novice league points.

Yulia Di Nardi, riding Trendy Carusone Bella, from Ard Scoil Na Trionoide won the Hopoti novice individual class. Saoirse Brennan and Billy Two Shoes from Rathmore NS was second with Tamsin Haughey on Tristan from Scoil Mhuire Trim in third.

Rhys O’Brien from St Brigid’s Blackwater cemented his lead in the EII Primary league, winning the 75cm primary class riding Milo. Frankie Rath and Catch Me Now from Screen NS is lying second in the league and took second here to add to the league score. Abby Cassidy from Powerscourt NS riding Lexi was third.

There were a further two primary classes contested on the day. Mia Wall from St. Brigid’s, riding Carrie, won the 55cm class and Milo and Rhys O’Brien won the warm up 65cm class.

A combined team from St Gerard’s Junior School and St Brigid’s NS won the primary teams’ event.

The team members were Blackwater Coco (Ruby Walsh), Paulank Black Magic (Bobby Walsh), Shorty Boy (Lily Kelly) and Clondaw Misty (Rhys O’Brien).

TRI Equestrian Interschools action will recommence on January 25th with a competition being held in Tipperary Equestrian, hosted by Ursuline Convent in Thurles.