ALL roads led to Barnadown Equestrian last Sunday where secondary schools from almost all parts of Ireland had their sights set on both team and individual titles of the TRI Equestrian Inter-Schools League.
The excellent facilities at Barnadown allowed three jumping arenas to run simultaneously. John Doyle’s courses provided competitiveness and fun for primary and post primary level pupils in primary, novice and open competitions. The experience of the host school, Coláiste Bhríde Carnew, in conjunction with the expertise of Equestrian Inter-Schools Ireland, made for a partnership that not only ensured efficient running of the day’s competitions but also the exceptional prizes that were on offer for the winners.
Special mention is due to all the wonderful sponsors. TRI Equestrian provided sponsorship throughout the entire Equestrian Inter-Schools League competitions since September 2018 and once again provided fantastic prizes for the final.
Main sponsors for the competitions on the day were Connolly’s Red Mills, Sheridan Colohan Insurance Brokers and Jumpinaction.ie photography. There were also prizes provided by Mountain Horse, the new sponsors of the EII 90s.
The Open Teams’ competition, held in the main arena, provided excellent jumping with four teams progressing to the jump-off. This was a track that required riders to cut corners, go fast but not recklessly.
On the day Borris Vocational School won on a flawless time of 88.78 seconds. In second place was St. Paul’s Secondary School Monasterevin, with only three riders - quite an achievement. Gorey Community School has competed regularly throughout the league and well deserved their place on the podium, taking third place. Fourth, fifth and sixth placings went to Newbridge College, St. Gerard’s School Bray and Loreto Secondary School Wexford.
TOPPED LEAGUE
The final placings in the TRI Equestrian League were Borris Vocational School taking first place, Gorey Community in second, St Gerard’s third, with Newbridge College in fourth and St Paul’s Monasterevin awarded fifth place. All the above schools are now qualified for the Schools Team Show Jumping Competition in Balmoral, with the winners being awarded a Horse Sport Ireland training bursary along with TRI Equestrian Vouchers and rugs.
The Novice Team competition saw a joint Borris and Loreto, Kilkenny, take first place. Second place went to The King’s Hospital School Palmerstown, Co. Dublin, with Gorey Community School in third.
The Primary Schools’ team competition was hotly contested on the day and Scoil Aodán Naofa Carnew took the honours with Niamh, Emily, Aoife and Katie Wafer making up the team.
While this event was the final of the league, the day opportunely provided one final chance to qualify for the EII 90cm final and to get a look at the wonderful prizes on offer. The Mountain House EII 90cm final was a competitive affair with Jessica Flood, representing Blessington C.C. taking first place and being awarded a new pair of Mountain Horse riding boots.
The host team’s Hugh O’Loughlin was placed second and third place went to Alex Bleahen from Presentation College, Athenry.
The 1.10m Horse Sport Ireland final witnessed some excellent talent. The final result saw Borris Vocational School to the fore again with Aoife Murphy taking first place. Second place went to Zoe Bolton representing The King’s Hospital School and the third place rosette was received by Emma Steacy, Gorey Community School. The winner in this class was awarded a Horse Sport Ireland training bursary.
This year’s Inter-Schools Show Jumping final saw young show jumpers who were competitive and determined and the competition looks promising for the future with plenty of young talent in the novice and primary competitions.