THE strength of interschools show jumping was very evident in Barnadown Equestrian Centre last Sunday with 70 teams competing in the open, novice and primary competitions.
It was refreshing to see so many young competitors back out again after the lengthy pandemic curtailment. Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew was delighted to host this leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools’ League and thanked all involved.
Throughout the day, the three show jumping arenas were action packed. The TRI Equestrian open team competition had a nine-team jump-off from 23 starters. The jump-off track required precision, a few shortcuts and a gallop to the last. Borris Vocational School team of Aine and Claire Kavanagh riding Market Angel and Clonagoose Sky Bouncer respectively, who jumped off, along with Cathy Doyle on Roadside Billy and Patrick Doyle on Boley Boy could not be beaten when they finished on zero faults in a time of 68.65 seconds.
Second place went to Gorey’s Maisie Adams on E Van Heff Juxschaff and Lauren Adams riding Quintaira DZ who stopped the clock on zero faults in a time of 70.04. Lauren Spenser riding Sparrow and Jessica Phelan on Poker completed the Gorey Community School Team. Wesley College, Ballinteer finished on zero faults in 73.94 which assured them third place.
The team comprised of Emily Crawford on Safari, Saoirse Handley and DG Arkal, Siun Handley riding Teacher’s Pet and Jack Murphy and Ballinteskin Gala. Gorey also took fourth place on the day so league points for fourth passed to fifth-placed Rockwell College, sixth-placed Colaiste Bhride Carnew and St Gerard’s Bray in seventh.
Winner of the 1.10m at the TRI Equestrian Interschools hosted at Barnadown was Coláiste Bhríde Carnew Cait Kenny and Donard Trixie Mix \ Rolf Stenberg Jumpinaction.net
Kenny clinches victory
The HSI Premier 1.10m class demonstrated talented jumping and determination. As a qualifier it had all to go for with very little separating the top six. Fastest and claiming first place was Cait Kenny, Coláiste Bhride Carnew, riding Donard Trixie Mix clear in 26.98. In second, Aine Kavanagh on Market Angel from Borris V.S, finished on 27.75.
Olivia Deveraux took third place, clocking up 30.21. Fourth, fifth and sixth went to Claire Kavanagh, Borris V.S., Megan Neville, Dominican College, Wicklow and Jessica Murphy, Gorey Community School respectively.
Morrissey takes win
The TRI equestrian 1m league competition was decidedly won by Anna Morrissey, East Glendalough School riding Shergar Rose almost two seconds ahead of Cian Byrne on HL Puissance for Coláiste Bhríde in second place. Cathy Doyle on Borris Bailey for Borris V.S. was place third by the slimmest of margins. Remaining league points were claimed by Conor Doyle, Katie Cullen and Mia Cullen.
The winner in the 65-75cm Primary Individual League class was Isla Coad riding The Wow who jumped for St. Saviour’s N.S. Rathdrum. In the 80cm class, Penny Kelly took the first rosette and jumped for her school, St. Paul’s, Monasterevin.
The EII 90cm qualifier class went to Jamie Browne riding Clear Over, representing Rockwell College, Tipperary, who scorched around the jump-off in 25.78. In second place with just two seconds between them was Jessica Kinsella riding Rocket Celt for Loreto Dalkey.
Amelie Durkan on Riverdale Countess representing her school, Holy Child Killiney finished third, after a flawless jump -off in 28.33. The remaining qualifying places were claimed by Ava Doyle, Florence Jackson Pratt and Penny Kelly.
Massive entry
The EII novice teams’ competition had a huge entry with 36 teams lining out to jump. East Glendalough School took first place. Jumping for East Glendalough were Skyla Nally riding Mayfield Boy, Anna Morrissey and Rosie, Rosie Coad on Sunny Girl and Sarah Curry riding Pixie Magic. Second place went to Loreto College Wexford with Faye Murphy on Leo, Jessie Murphy and Phoebe, Lily Mai Berry riding Skylanna Seatman and Kate Walsh. Coláiste Lorcain, Castledermot joined forces with Presentation de la Salle School, Bagenalstown to earn third place on the day, although as a mixed team they do not earn league points.
Team members were Keeva Dooley, Amy Conroy, Sarah O’Neill and Caoimhe Foley. Loreto College Wexford’s other team took fourth place ahead of Newbridge College and Rockwell College. This leg proved a great day of equestrian interschools jumping where expectation, relief at being back, and determination proved central.
The action moves this Bank Holiday Monday to Wexford Equestrian Centre where Interschools Novice Teams, Primary Teams and Primary Individual classes will be held.