THERE was top marks for the students of Newbridge College Equestrian Club in Hickstead where both their junior and senior teams were second in the Hurstpierspoint UK and International Interschools Showjumping.

Two of the four teams were in the rosettes at the famous venue.

All teams had to ride in qualifying rounds and a jump-off before getting to ride in the main Hickstead Arena. It is an ambition of all equestrian students to ride under the Longines Arch into the historic grassed arena.

This year the junior team of Leah Heffernan (My Rockstown Two), Sophie Carroll (Endfield Shadow) and Leah Ross (Beyond Precision) made it through qualifications to show what they could achieve in the main arena. After some superb riding by all team mates, they took second place, receiving red Hickstead rugs and joining the parade of finalists.

Leah Heffernan then rode against the clock to come fourth in the individual competition.

Colaiste Bhride, Carnew and Presentation Athenry had one team each in the senior compeition with Newbridge entering three teams. Unlike the Irish system, teams at these championships consist of three riders with no discard score allowed. The team of Caragh Sweeney (Kippure Steepleview Jack), Daniel Fitzgerald (Erbees Corvette) and Rachel Ross (Ballydavid Souz) were under a lot of pressure with over 60 teams competing, but after a nail-biting jump-off also made it through qualification stages to ride through the Longines Archway, each led by their coach Julieann Gaffney.

Nerves were frayed and silence fell as the three rode to fantastic cheering as they jumped the last fences. Newbridge were being supported by all the riders from Carnew - Aisling Winterbottom, Conor Wafer and Julie Mullins - and Presentation Athenry’s Conan McCann, Jack Nolan and Jack Naughton, who, unfortunately, did not get through qualifications.

Mary Rothwell from Carnew produced the Irish flag when the results were announced and Newbridge had again taken second place with only a pole between them and Millfield School, Somerset, the winners. Not to be outdone by the Juniors, Daniel then went on to take fourth in the individuals.

Newbridge students paraded the tricolour with pride with Yvonne Byrne and Chris Sweeney, Newbridge College Equestrian Club chef d’equipe, also congratulating Amy Carroll, Caoimhe Sweeney, Emily O’Brien, Sarah Behan, Conor Cassidy and Alanna Kelly on their individual success during the week.