ST Kieran’s College held their annual leg of the TRI Equestrian-sponsored Interschools show jumping competition at Warrington Equestrian Centre last Sunday. This year saw a change for St Kieran’s College as they usually host the event during the cooler winter months. The day was bright and fresh, leading to a fantastic day of competing.

The novice team competition started off the day with 10 teams competing for the coveted prizes. The first place went to Newbridge College’s black team of Hannah Lawlor (Boston Hill Buster) and Sophie O’Neill (Blackwoodland Willow) representing their team-mates Aoife Keane and Alice O’Neill and clearing the course in a combined time of 78.47 seconds. Second place went to Borris Vocational School and third place went to Gorey Community School. The best turned out was awarded for the second year running to the Newbridge College white team.

Molly O’Shaughnessy and Magic took home first place in the novice competition, followed by Killian Murphy on Cullintra Bonfire in second place and Michael Fogarty on Chino in third place.

COMPETITIVE ACTION

The main event was the TRI Equestrian open team competition. In what was a very competitive jump-off between Borris Vocational School, St Kieran’s College, Scoil Mhuire Carrick on Suir, St Mary’s New Ross and Presentation Secondary School, Co Kilkenny, there could only be one winner.

In a very proud moment for the host school, St Kieran’s College took home the big prize on the day. Ciarán Byrne (Golden Puissance) and Timmy Brennan (GCS Rambo) represented their team-mates David Parle and David Fleming and raced around the course without fault (the only team to do so) in a time of 77.74.

Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny, took second place and Scoil Mhuire, Carrick on Suir, were third. The best turned out went to Loreto Secondary School, Pemroke Hill.

Martha Hughes, Kilkenny College, and her mount Bravo were victorious in the individual open competition in a time of 31.25. Lucy Bolger, Kilkenny College, took second place in 32.25 and Killian Murphy, Good Counsel was third in 33.33.

St Kieran’s College thanked the Moloney family, as well as all the students, parents and sponsors (Gain Equine Nutrition, Connolly’s Red Mills, Euro Farm, Kilkenny Builders Providers, CF Pharma and Foulkstown Feeds) who helped with the running of the event leading up to and on the day.

The next interschools competition will be held at Mullingar Equestrian Centre tomorrow (Sunday, October 7th).