WEXFORD Equestrian Centre hosted the latest leg of the TRI Interschools Show Jumping League last Saturday, January 22nd.

The well-supported event saw 14 teams line out in the novice classes. The first competition of the day, the EII Novice Teams, produced a first-time win for the team from Bridgetown with the support of a rider from Gorey CS.

Owen Carroll, riding Joey, Sophie Whitehead with Mollie and Rebecca Clooney with TLS Pebbles represented Bridgetown. They were joined by Aoife Browne of Gorey CS riding Susie. Second place went to St Declan’s Community School riders of Darragh Walsh on Hugo, Soife Lenihan on Dudes Law, Conor Cusack with Annandale Royal and Ben Cusack on Little Miss Xena.

Local school Loreto Wexford White, represented by Katie O’Connor and Alkadream, Cora Finn with Shakespeares Romeo Montague, Caoimhe Murphy and Shadow Midlight, Lily Mai Berry riding Skylanna Scatman, finished third. Fourth place went to Gorey Community School with the fastest four-faulters, Loretto Wexford and Presentation Secondary School, in fifth and in sixth, respectively.

The EII 90 qualifier class produced some very good jumping with Presentation Wexford’s Mia Meyler, riding Jags, just pipping St Declan’s Kilmacthomas rider Conor Cusack on Dasher to claim the win, ahead of Ardgillan Community School’s Chloe Styles on Deelside Emily, Gorey Community School’s Kerrie Mc Donald on Jet, Tullow Community School’s Niamh Tobin on Millbrae Wendy and Gorey Community School’s Cathy Quigley on Fudge. All six qualify for the final.

Borris win in style

The TRI-sponsored open team league competition was won in fine style by Borris Community School. The team was represented by Claire Kavanagh (Clonagoose Sky Bouncer), Patrick Doyle (Boley Boy), Caoilfinn Lawlor (Adrigode Atto) and Aine Kavanagh (Market Angel). They saw off a determined challenge from the Gorey Community School team of Lauren Spencer (Sparrow), Jessica Murphy (Darcy De Chanteloube), Angelica McGee (Abbeybrooke Aurora) and Ciara O’Connor (Ashwood Reggie), who finished second.

The Coláiste Bhríde Carnew team in third place were represented by Chloe Walsh (Althorp), Cian Byrne (Cara Cave Boy), Hannah O’Neill (Drummin Pretty Lady) and Sarah Sheppard (Galtee Shadow). Dominican College Wicklow, Presentation Wexford and Blessington Community College took the remaining league points.

Cian Byrne representing Coláiste Bhríde Carnew had a very good day when winning the TRI Open Individual on Cara Cave Boy. Blessington college’s Jessica Flood on Walter was runner-up, followed by East Glendalough School’s Patrick Conor Doyle riding Rusheenduff in third. Coláiste Bhríde Carnew Carnew’s Chloe Walsh (Althorp), Blessington College’s Mia Cullen (Dufise) and Borris Vocational School’s Caoilfhionn Lawlor (Addrigoole Atto) took the remaining league points.

Byrne also took the win in the HSI 1.10m class for the second week in-a-row with Hunters Lodge Puissance, having won in Killoserry the week before. Gorey Community College rider Naomi Doyle riding Pairc Na ruarc came second, while Byrne also slotted into third place with Boularee. Dominican College’s Naoise O’Neill (Slanelough Sepremacy) and St Declan’s Clodagh Shanahan (Coolfinn Vivendi) took the remaining qualifying slots.

Down to the wire

The EII Primary League Individual class produced very good jumping and time decided the placings. Kilrane’s Hazel Slattery on Breadie Mist produced the fastest round. Our Lady’s Island rider Aoife Murphy on Polly was slightly slower to take second. Kiltealy’s Prince of Ashwood, ridden by Bobby Bowe was third ahead of Matilda Ormond, Scott Doran and Lucy Kent.

The primary team fun competition was won in fine style by the team from 1 Piercestown NS. The team was Jack Codd (Kato Star), Tommy Codd (Bally C PIP), Joe Codd (Bally Bride May) and Sarah O’Reilly (Caldrum Columbo). In second place was the Kilrane NS team of Charlie Mai Murphy (BBS Buddy), Eva Morrel (Rubble), Noah Murphy (Rathcoole Rupert) and Hannah Rose Roche (Celtic Dancer). The Screen NS team of Mary Kate Kelly (Bubbles), Ellen Cash (SHL Little Rocket), Alicia Corrigan (Barney) and Faye Kelly (Bubbles) claimed third place.

The fun novice 80cm individual class was open to both novice and primary riders and first place was claimed by Kiltealy’s Aimee Bowe on Titchey Strider. Kiltealy also came second via Bobby Brown on Prince of Ashwood. Third place went to Light of Christ NS Dunmore East rider Lucy Kent on Lotso.

Last but not least, the 55cm class went the way of Butlerstown NS representative Cian Cusack on Henry. Murrintown NS rider Judy Sinnott on Thunder was second ahead of Faithlegg’s Matilda Ormond with Charlie’s Friend.

Action moves to Tipperary Equestrian this weekend where open and novice team and individual classes are on offer.