THE Fagan family hosted the penultimate leg of the TRI Equestrian Interschools League last Sunday at their top class Mullingar Equestrian venue. A full range of EII classes were on offer in the International Arena while in Arena two, after the EII novice team class, a selection of unregistered individual classes ranging from cross poles to a metre class were offered.

The first class in the International Arena was the EII Primary 70cm class. Lucy O’Rourke from St. Colman’s NS, Mucklagh, riding Corra Beauty, claimed the red ribbon ahead of Kilrane NS’s Hazel Slattery on Breolie Mist and Mirdad’s Babysitter, ridden by Alanna Dardis for St. Etchen’s Kinnegad. The minor places went to Ted Fagan Dardis on her second pony and Oisin Phelan.

The TRI Equestrian Open Team event followed with a total of 10 teams taking on the Robert Fagan-designed track. Claiming first place after a fine display of riding was the three-member team from Wesley College of LGS Safari, ridden by Emily Crawford, DG Arkall and Saoirse Handley, and Kellie ridden by Grace Berry.

Second place went to local school St Joseph’s Rochfortbridge. Nicole Brennan on Sadie, Hannah Madden on Hillcrest Metallica, Roisin Conway (Craddenstown Vectra Star) and Leon Van Cauwenberge on Rocky were the team members. Third place went to East Glendalough Secondary School’s Robert Cherry on Firebolt, Anna Houston Carlston (King Carra Mia) and Rusheen Duff Patrick, ridden by Conor Doyle. Dominican College Wicklow, Moyne Community School and Blessington Community School were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Winners Newbridge College's white team of Saitre Imperial Commander (Mia Monaghan), Basil Brush (Mia Browne), Black Jack (Bonnie O’Neill), Kilmovee Bridal Excess (Louise Maguire), TRI Equestrian Novice Teams winners at Mullingar \ Rolf Stenberg Jumpinaction.net

Pole position

The popular Equieire EII 90cm class followed with Bonnie O’Neill from Newbridge College on Newport Blackjack ending in pole position ahead of Caoimhe’s Robin Old Road, ridden by Katie McGrath for Moyne Community College. Third place went to Basil Brush and Mia Browne representing Newbridge College.

The final qualifying slots went to Joe Cadam on Knockagaron Fear Bui, Cnoc Mhuire Granard, Rosie ridden by Niamh Staunton, St Mary’s Edenderry and Red River Head and Elisa Drumm from Eureka Secondary School Kells.

The action then turned to the TRI Equestrian Open Individual class. The winner was Avatar (Emily O’Neill) from Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan, chased in second by Boley Boy (Cathy Doyle) Borris V.S. In third was the aptly-named Usane Bolt (John Miney) from Moyne CS, fourth was Kelle (Grace Barry) representing Wesley College. In fifth as Atherlough Boy (Katie McGrath) from Moyne CS while sixth was Bella (Sophia Strickland) of Calasanctus College Galway.

The final class held in the International Sand arena was the HSI Premier 110cm class. First place in this was claimed by Kelle (Grace Barry) from Wesley College, the runner-up was LGS Safari (Emily Crawford), also from Wesley College. Taking third was Maghera Melody (Charlotte Doyle) from Moyne CS while fourth went to Quality Villane (Rachel McGrath) from Moyne CS. In fifth was Railyard Rebel (Jennifer Hoare) from Scoil Mhuire Strokestown and in sixth was European Cruise (Rachel McGrath), representing Moyne CS.

The novice teams held in Sand Ring 1 proved a very competitive affair. Newbridge College fielded two teams in this class to claim first and second place. The Newbridge College white team of Saltre Imperial Commander (Mia Monaghan), Basil Brush (Mia Browne), Blackjack (Bonnie O’Neill) and Kilmovee Bridal Excess (Louise Maguire) just pipped fellow students Cronaughty Noel (Sarah Fleming), Spice (Jess O’Ryan), Mullacraw Heights (Keelin Scott), Patchwork Quilt (Kate Malone), who were well content with second.

Moyne Community School’s Badger (John Miney), Bailey (Martha Miney), May (Charlotte Doyle), Caoimhe (Katie McGrath) were third ahead of Our Lady’s Bower, Mercy Secondary School Ballymahon, and Cnoc Mhuire Granard. Athlone Community School claimed the final league point.

Winners Wesley College - LGS Safari (Emily Crawford), DG Arkall (Saoirse Handley), Kellie (Grace Berry), celebrate their win in the TRI Equestrian Open Teams competition at Mullingar Equestrian \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

Final at Wexford EC

The exciting action moves to Wexford Equestrian this weekend where the final of the TRI Equestrian Interschools Open Teams takes place and with points and a half on offer and the top five placed league teams qualifying for the Balmoral Blue Grass Interschools Championships, there is all to play for. Also to be decided at Wexford will be the top honours in the HSI Premier 110cm champion, the Equieire EII 90cm champion, the TRI Open Individual league winner, the EII novice league and the EII Primary Individual league winner.