A GREAT day’s sport was had at Mullingar Equestrian Centre’s TRI Equestrian Interschools last Sunday. The day started off in arena one with a cross-poles and 60cm competition as warm-up rounds. This was followed by the 70cm and 80cm individual classes. Victory in the 70cm class was claimed by Aidbh Condren riding Thisletown and in the 80cm by Jamie Hargaden from Mullingar Educate Together riding sunflower.
The primary teams event was won by the Dalystown National School team of Eva McQuaid, Keira Kelly, Nicole Brennan, and Ellen Pearson. The runner-up spots went to All Saints NS, represented by Isla Brennan, Ruby Brennan, Katelyn Wallace, John Zumerchik and St Colmans NS represented by Cathal McNamara, Erin Murray, Adam Mc Namara, Megan Crichton. This event was followed by a 90cm class open to both primary and secondary school riders. Victory in the 90cm class was claimed by Alannah Fagan riding Two Tone for Gael Scoil an Mhuillinn.
Meanwhile, in the international arena, the novice secondary school team event was being hotly contested. The team from Blessinton Community College, Sibeal Mc Gillicuddy, Paige Conway, Katelyn Lynham Clarke and Jessica Flood came out on top ahead of St. Mary’s Edenderry represented by Anna Lacy, Amy Carroll, Ciara Staunton and Lucy Carroll in second and St Cuan’s pupils, Rachel O’Connor, Ruth O’Connor and Darragh Leonard in third. Mercy Ballymahon, St Paul’s and Kildare and St Farnan’s shared fourth place.
This was followed by the TRI-sponsored Open League team competition. Gorey Community School saw off a determined challenge from St Paul’s Monasterevin and Borris Vocational School to win the event and claim a coveted 10 league points. Gorey was represented by Emma Steacy, Emma Carton, Michelle Hughes, Jessica Murphy, while Christine Worrell, Shauna Casey, Joshua Halford, Hannah Flynn rode for St Paul’s and Catherine Kavanagh, Aine Kavanagh, Claire Kavanagh, Patrick Doyle represented Borris. Newbridge College took fourth and fifth ahead of Mercy Ballymahon and a mixed team from St Paul’s and Kildare town and St. Farnan’s.
MAX WINS INDIVIDUALS
The TRI open individual followed with a win for Newbridge College pupil Max Ross riding Ballydavid Sous. Josua Halford representing St. Paul’s Monasterevin on Raquthill Ivor was second ahead of Jazmine Arthur on Carra Cave Boy riding for East Glendalough. She also took fifth place this time riding Rossdohan Bailey. Claire Kavanagh on Clongoose Daniel Dubh was fourth and Mathew Kelly representing Clongowes Wood riding Tullow Star was sixth.
Jazmine Arthur completed a good day by claiming first place in the the HSI 1.10m qualifier. She was again partnered by Carra Cave Boy. Rebacca Lyons from Mayne Community School riding Castle Rea Draoi was second ahead of Lucy Ross from Newbridge on Littlefield Clove, Farrigo Master Murphy ridden by Lola Gabor Sweeney for Newbridge, He’s a Buck and Kelly Morgan for Attracta Sligo and Erin McCormack on Seskin John for Mercy Ballymahon.
The final class was the EII 90cm qualifier which is confined to novice secondary school riders only. Kate Egan from Heywood Community school rode Slieve Rushen Young One to victory in this with Ellen Henderson from Loreto Foxrock on Woodfield Fern in second and Laura McKid on Polar Light for Templecarrig in third. The final places went to Jessica Flood, Shauna Casey and Sibeal McGillicuddy.
The action moves west this weekend where Galway Equestrian Centre are the host. The following weekend it is the turn of Borris Vocational Schools event in Coilog which will be the last chance to gain points and qualifications ahead of the final in Barnadown where Colaiste Bhride Carnew are the hosts.