THE strength of inter-schools show jumping was very evident in Barnadown Equestrian Centre last Sunday, with 40 teams competing in the three team competitions. Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, was delighted to host the sixth round of the TRI Equestrian Inter-schools League.

In the open team competition, John Doyle’s track reduced the starting 18 teams to a seven-team jump-off. In an exciting jump-off, the duo of Aoife Murphy and Catherine Kavanagh returned home on four faults in a time of 88.50 seconds. Representing Borris Vocational School, they were joined by Claire Kavanagh and James Kavanagh.

Second place went to Ronan Byrne and Natasha Bernon, representing St Gerard’s Bray blue team, who stopped the clock with four faults in 94.39. They were ably supported by Milly O’Loughlin and Georgina Wilkinson. The team of Emer Kavanagh, Patrick Kavanagh, Conor Wafer and Ella Byrne took third place on four faults in 94.56. Fourth place went to Alanna Doherty and Anna Maher joined Tilly Shaw and Holly Duggan who also competed in the jump-off. This team finished on four faults in 109.62. Fifth and sixth places respectively went to Good Counsel College, New Ross (12 faults in 96.74) and FCJ Bunclody (15 faults in 116.92).

This year’s novice team competition was a great success with 13 teams vying for the honours. First place went to East Glendalough and team members Jane Mooney, Anna Hudson, Sophie Bohm Leahy and Robert Cherry. They finished on zero faults in a time of 65.95 CHECK. In second position was St. Mary’s College, Arklow, Maeve Magee Katz and Naomi Devereux jumped off in a time of 77.47 with zero faults. They were joined by Ella Devereux and Mollie Graham. Gorey Community School took third place. Team members were April Haxby, Eimear Ní Chinnéide, Abby Spencer and Amie Bolger. Fourth place went to Good Counsel College, New Ross. Maeve Byrne and Eamon Byrne jumped off and they were joined by Kilian Murphy and Tom O’Shea. The Carrick-on-Suir team from Scoil Mhuire Greenhill took fifth place. Team members were Ava Lynch, Katie Doyle, Hazel Barden. Joint sixth place went to Newbridge College and Avondale Community College, Rathdrum. Representing Newbridge were Kate Maloney, Aoife Keane, Lauren Kavanagh and Orla Ring. Caoimhe Daly O’Brien, Eimer Butler Lister and Sanita Jackson made up the Avondale team.

The primary schools event had seven teams competing for the honours. First place went to Gorey Central School and Ballycanew National School. The team members were Gemma Earle, Kate O’Brien, Cora O’Donnell and Lauren Adams. Second place went to Drumphea National School, Bagenalstown. In third was Castle Park School, Dalkey. Gorey Central School was placed fifth and sixth place went to Drumphea N.S.

The HSI 1.10m class was held in the main arena and produced some excellent jumping. In first place was Ruairi Aylward, Coppenagh Tom Sparrow, zero faults 27.68 Good Counsel College; second was Oisin Aylward, Bendix zero faults 28.02 secs (Good Counsel College New Ross); third Cara Sweeney, Kippure Steepleview Jack zero faults 28.18 (Newbridge College); fourth Isabel Hughes Kennedy, Coppenagh Celtic Rebel 29.71 (Presentation College Kilkenny); fifth Oisin Aylward, Coppenagh Matador 30.50 (Good Counsel College New Ross); Tom O’Shea, Tynan’s Cappuchino 31.84 (Good Counsel College New Ross).

The open individual competition (1m) saw 20 competitors jump an inviting course. In first place was Niamh Flinter, Newbridge College; second was Leah Ross, Newbridge College; third went to Niamh Behan, Newbridge College; in fourth was Hannah Murphy, Borris Vocational School; in fifth was Lucy Ross, Newbridge College, and sixth went to Ciara Walshe, Presentation School Kilkenny.

The novice individual (80cms) was highly competitive with 40 riders taking part. First place went to Lauren Adams, Gorey Central School; second to George O’Connor, St. Michael’s College; in third was Isabella Donohoe, Drumphea N.S., fourth went to Robert Cherry, East Glendalough School; fifth went to Aoife Keane, Newbridge College while sixth was Mosie Murphy, Borris Vocational School.