THE first TRI Equestrian Interschools of 2026 took place in Tipperary Equestrian Centre, hosted by Ursuline Secondary school, in conjunction with the Tipperary Equestrian team. A great day’s sport was had by all competitors, and it was a team from the host school who took the honours in the TRI Equestrian-sponsored open teams’ class.

Daisy, ridden by Grace Ormond, Darby Shadow and Susan Brannigan, Summerdale Stride of Pride ridden by Cara Foley and Salsa Sugar Lump ridden by Emily Appelby made up the winning team.

Kilkenny College’s Diesel Rocks and Alannah Bailey, Longwood Laura ridden by Gloria Queally, Carraun Ferdie and Georgia Queally and Denode Don’t Forget with Isobel Smithwick on board was second and the Presentation Thurles team comprising Disney and Amber Thompson, Monty Cruz and Molly Healy, The Big Time and Hannah Molloy and Quantum Solace ridden by Ava Carroll was third.

Individual

TRI Equestrian Open Individual honours went to Donnacha Burns from Kilkenny College riding Coppenagh Viking, ahead of Kinlough Lad and Mia O’Donnell from St Declan’s Kilmacthomas and Isabel Smithwick and Denode Don’t Forget from Kilkenny College.

The TRI Premier 110 class was also won by Burns, this time riding Youghal Paddy, ahead of Grove St Lady and Ellie O’Connor from Creagh College in second and Aimee Byrne and Major Profile from St Mary’s Naas in third. Sophie O’Donnell riding Cool Jack from Hazelwood College, Dromcollagher also qualifies for the final.

The largest class of the day was the Hopoti novice teams’ class. St Paul’s Monasterevin, represented by Celtic May Gypsy and Mia Bracken, Doctor Drey ridden by Robyn Harrison, Crosskeys Lilly and Lucy Holligan, and Killina Beauty ridden by Caoimhe Casey had a worthwhile journey to take the win. Local school Presentation Thurles’ Sunny Sky and Lucy Healy, Lady partnered by Kate Browne and Glencarrig Shining Star and Lolita McCarthy, filled the runner-up slot, ahead of the Coláiste Dún Iascaigh Cahir team of Jacko and Gemma Barrett, Silver 16 ridden by Ciara Lonergan, Pink ridden by Aishling Tarrant and Stonehaven Olive and Natalia Miklaszewska in third.

Presentation Thurles’s other team took fourth, whilst also gaining points were the teams from Ursuline Thurles and Presentation, Fethard.

The Equieire novice 90 qualifier attracted a large entry and Sophie Cosgrove and Stealth from Ursuline Thurles qualified when placing first in the class. Ballybeg Girl and Molly Dunne from St Joseph’s Borrisoleigh, Harvey’s Diamond and Ruby Haugh from St John Bosco, Kildysart Laura Coonan and Aishling Tarrant riding Pink for Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir also qualified for the final.

The primary individual league class was won by league leader Rhys O’Brien riding Milos for Blackwater NS whilst the novice 80cm class honours went to Peter Connolly on Highmeade Song and Dance for Castlepark NS.

Action this weekend is in Wexford today, where Bridgetown College are the hosts and tomorrow Brian Duff and his team host in Broadmeadow Equestrian Centre.