TRI EQUESTRIAN INTERSCHOOLS MULLINGAR EC

DOROTHY Fagan of Mullingar Equestrian Centre says that whilst they can’t do a lot about the weather and the cold east wind blowing last Sunday, there was a very good turnout and she wishes to thank all who supported another successful TRI Equestrian Interschools' event at the Co Westmeath venue.

Jumping kicked off at 10.15am with the novice team event in the international sand area followed by the open teams. The open team competition was hotly contested and the experienced team from Borris Vocational School were deserving winners on the day - Aoife Murphy on Garrynguig Turbo, Patrick Doyle on Boley Boy Claire Kavanagh on Clonagoose Daniel Dubh and Catherine Kavanagh on Coppenagh Blitz represented Borris. They pipped the King’s Hospital team at the post following a two-way jump-off.

Juliette Barton on La Mia Pazazza, Zoe Bolton riding Tilly b, Rebecca Moore on Jones Aran and Sarah Fitzpatrick on Krafty Meadow represented King's Hospital. Third place was claimed by the Salerno, Co Galway, team of Molly Stafford on Blue Moon, Naomi Carr on Bobby Zara Herbert on Misty and Kate Mulligan on Mirah Morning Star. The final league points for fourth, fifth and sixth went to Gorey Community School, Scoil Mhuire Trim and Newbridge College.

Scoil Mhuire Trim came with a strong contingent of three teams to contest the novice competition and it was their mixed team of Kate Carroll, on Ballybrittas Starlight, Marnie Gilroy on Casper, Emma Rennick on Ben and Aibhe Long riding Hershey’s Kiss for Colaiste Pobail Rathcairn who claimed the novice team event. The runner-up position went to the Newbridge College novice team represented by Hannah Lawlor on Buston Hill Buster, Alice O’Sullivan on Mary Rose, Arwen Higgins on Heidi and John Flood on Perfect puzzle. Scoil Mhuire Trim also claimed third place. This time the team was Mia McGuinness on Duke, Maebh Long on Crofts Clover and Grace Evans on Euro Million. The remaining places were claimed by St Mary’s Edenderry in fourth and sixth and St Cuans Ballinasloe in fifth. A total of 12 novice teams enjoyed the competition and the team members went on to compete in some of the many novice individual classes on offer on the day.

INDIVIDUALS

Three individual classes followed the team events in the international arena. The EII-sponsored 90cm novice qualifier confined to secondary school novice riders only was won by a delighted Aibhe Long for Gael Scoil An Phobal Rathcairn. The remaining qualifying places went to Jessica Flood, Allie White, Jessica Sheridan, Kate Egan and Emma Brady.

The TRI-sponsored open individual league class was well supported. Zoe Bolton riding Tilly B claimed the 10 points with a double clear round in a time of 38.76 seconds ahead Patrick Doyle on Tubber Vale Gold, Jasmine Arthur on Carra Cave Boy, Emma Osborne on My Ballintogher Cracker, Claire Kavanagh on Clonagoose Danial Dubh and Isobelle Tunney on Cashelard Eurostar.

The final class of the afternoon was the HSI-sponsored 1.10m class and again there was a high standard of jumping with time the deciding factor. Emma Steacy produced a very fast time to take the win on board Castle More Cailin for Gorey Community School, from Catherine Kavanagh on Coppenagh Blitz. Rebecca Lyons from Moyne Community School riding Castlerea Drai, Jasmine Arthur on Carra Cave Boy, Kelly Morgan on He’s a Buck from St Attracta’s Sligo, and Francis Derwin of the Marist College on Master Stevie took the remaining qualifying slots.

Meanwhile in sand arena one, there was a very good standard of jumping in the primary team class with all of the team riders jumping clear. Dalystown National School were worthy winners ahead of Kildangan National School and Scoil Padraig Clane/Valleymont. James Dempsey from Scoil Padraig Clane won the 70cm class riding Ballycurraghans Mr. Oscar and Kate Egan of Heywood Community School was victorious in the 80cm class.

There was a 50cm class also which was shared by Ruby Brennan riding Annie for All Saints NS, and Anna Drumm riding Watson for St Tolas NS and Ruby’s sister Isla won the 60cm class.

Course designers were Seamus Casey and Michael Keavney and a big thank you from Mullingar to all the judges, arena parties and helpers on the day. The action moves this weekend to JAG Equestrian Centre, Co Kildare.