THERE was no shortage of excitement at Killossery on Sunday, November 9th, as riders from schools across Leinster gathered for another action-packed round of interschools show jumping. With beautifully-built tracks from Louise Moore, competitors faced the perfect mix of flowing lines, technical turns and questions that tested accuracy and control.

The morning began with the Jumpinaction.net and City Break Apartments secondary novice individuals, where competition was fierce from the very first bell. Áine Mullan and her reliable partner Sir Archiebold produced a superbly balanced round to take the win.

Hot on her heels, Alice Harten and Mandy delivered a quick and tidy performance to claim second, while Robyn Lynch guided Moonlight Molly into third. Tara O’Connor and Limerick Lass followed in fourth, with Natalie Healy (Misty) and Kate Teehan (Peirce) rounding off the top six.

The Jumpinaction.net and City Apartments secondary team competition saw six excellent teams battle it out for podium places. Victory went to St Mac Dara’s Community College, whose quartet - Marie Maye (Rosie), Niamh Smith (Barney), Lily Rogan Mills (Scarlett De L’Aulne), and Áine Mullan (Archie) - combined consistency and speed to top the leaderboard.

Maynooth Education Blue finished close behind after strong rounds from Kate Teehan, Maisie Connolly, Sadhbh O’Toole, and Beth Kirkpatrick. Eureka Navy took third with tidy riding from Emma Jo Carolan, Maisie McCarten and Ruth O’Connor, while Ashbourne Community School / Lusk Community College placed fourth, thanks to sharp jumping from Isabel Corcoran, Regan Woods, Marykate Duffy and Harry Baker.

Scoil Dara / Athboy Community School claimed fifth with solid efforts from Emily Quinlan (Choco), Kieran Dunne (Rolo), Sophie Kenny (Brodie), and Cian Maguire (Pixie), while Mount Sackville finished sixth after stylish rounds from Emily Keogh, Anna May Keogh and Aifric O’Neill.

Individuals

In the 90/95cm individual open championship, Sadie Lynch and Grantstown Hannah proved unbeatable, producing a polished clear to take the top spot. Sophie Kenny followed in second with Mount Carmel Jodie and Marie Maye completed the podium aboard Rosie. Charlotte Harten (French Park Florence), Emma Jo Carolan (Taz) and Maisie McCarten (Clooncan Clover) all delivered fine performances to round out the top six.

The primary novice individual section featured a large field of enthusiastic young riders, many of whom delivered impressive clear rounds over the inviting track.

Those finishing with perfect scores included Kayla F McConnon (Daisy), Lili-Sue (Flash), Chloe McHugh O’Connor (Freaky Friday), Freya Lynch (Ashfield Sapphire), Zara Groves (Kelly’s Young Hero), Grace (Diego), Tucker Freyne (Rosie), CJ Greene (Magic), Eve Cullen (Toffee), Nova Corrigan (Freckles), Samuel Comerford (Big Jim), Sam O’Connor (Teddy), Niamh Maguire (Sandy Joy) and Kate Keegan (Kimmy Coo). Each combination showed great potential and style, making for a delightful class to watch.

The primary open individual class brought drama, precision and some seriously fast times. Rhys Robinson was on unbeatable form, storming to victory with Scarlet.

Cian Greene showed his consistency by taking both second and third on Casper and Magic, just fractions apart on the clock. Robinson was back again for fourth on Peirce, followed by Lily Dunne (Parcglas Golden Venture) and Ella Sharkey (Flashy Devil) - all finishing within seconds of one another in an incredibly competitive class.

The day concluded with the primary team competition, where team spirit took centre stage. Top honours went to a mixed team from St Patrick’s NS, St Andrew’s NS, St Mary’s NS and Gael Scoil Na Cille, whose riders Sadie Woods (The Mighty Man), Nancy Caffrey (Ceatharla Freddie), Fionn Regan (Carrigans Tabaragh) and Ruth Duffy (Mountainy Man) combined flawless rounds with great consistency.

Scoil Chaitríona Naofa were hot on their heels in second after sharp riding from Annie Rooney, Clodagh Carry, Luke Murray and Nova Corrigan, while Kilsaran NS, led by Elsa McGrane, Aobhlin Kelly, Isobel Marks Raleigh and Isabelle Broderick Kiernan, claimed third.

Rathbeggan NS took fourth, thanks to neat jumping from Elle Freyne, Chloe Mollaghan, Holly Williams and Cian Greene, while Kilcloon NS, with Kaela Leamy, Rhys Robinson, Sadie Connolly and Lilly Dunne, rounded out the top five after a tight contest.