GOREY Community School hosted the TRI Equestrian Interschools leg at Barnadown last Sunday where three well-supported arenas were in action.

The main arena was devoted to the TRI Equestrian open team and individual events, the HSI 110cm qualifier and the Equieire EII 90cm qualifier, while the second arena was the domain of the EII novice teams and the novice individual’s event. The third arena saw the primary riders show their class in the primary teams and Individual events.

The TRI Equestrian open team event ended in a jump-off between three of the teams that had lined out.

Posting the fastest time to claim the win was the mixed team from Gorey Community School and FCJ Bunclody which saw off rivals Coláiste Bhríde Carnew yellow team who took second. Only seconds separated the top two teams.

Gorey Community School/FCJ Bunclody was represented by Quintaira DZ (Lauren Adams), Back to the Future (Cormac Byrne) and Lexius E van Het Juxschott (Maisie Adams) whilst China Man (Cian Byrne) Lunasa Cruise (Sophie Wilson), Drummin Pretty Lady (Hannah O’Neill) and Corky Rocks (Chloe Walsh) lined out for Carnew.

Newbridge College represented by Empress Nala (Mia Browne), Lord of the Rings (Cici Murray), Kilmovee Bridal Excess (Louise Maguire) and Sam (Bonnie O’Neill) claimed third place ahead of Gorey Community School in fourth and Coláiste Bhríde Carnew blue team in fifth.

The TRI Equestrian open individual class saw very competitive riders. Fastest of these was Galtee Shadow (Johnnie Sheppard) riding for Coláiste Bhríde Carnew, leaving Drumming Pretty Lady (Hannah O’Neill) also from Coláiste Bríde Carnew in second and Guns for Hire (Jessie Bates) from Ramsgrange C.S. in third. Lexie Brennan (Presentation Kilkenny), Isabell Byrne (FCJ Bunclody) and Lucy Rhatigan (Gaelcholáiste Na Mara) claimed fourth, fifth and sixth place.

The HSI 1.10cm class saw 12 competitors go to the post. The pole position was claimed by Abbeybrook Aurora, ridden by Angelica McGee for Gorey Community School, with a fast clear round ahead of Boleybawn Regina, ridden by Bridin Doyle for Coláiste Bhride Carnew in second and Sienna’s Dream ridden by Eva Mulligan, Presentation Wexford in third.

The remaining places on the day went the way of Empress Nala ridden by Mia Browne for Newbridge College, Back to the Future and Cormac Byrne for FCJ Bunclody and Kyle Lad, ridden by Lauren Spencer for Gorey Community School.

The final class in this ring was the Equieire EII 90cm qualifier. First place on the day went to Misty and Lexie Brennan for Presentation Kilkenny and the qualifying slots went to The Mighty Man and Shayna Glynn riding for Gorey Community School, Lady Starlight and Katie Cullen representing Presentation Wexford, Roussillon in my Dreams with Claire Hayden for FCJ Bunclody, Who’s Hero ridden by Conor Roche of Good Counsel New Ross, and Alex ridden by Jane Fitzgerald from Coláiste Eoin Hackettstown.

The second arena hosted the EII Novice team event and saw a big turnout as 18 teams competed. Newbridge College, represented by Freddie (Claire Nestor), Hello Gooch (Isabelle Walsh), Tubber Boy (Ruby Smullen, Lisrua Heide (Ellen O’Neill), claimed first place. Second place went to the Loreto Secondary School Wexford team members Red Joplin (Sarah Cousins), Starlight Empress (Amy Griffith), Bells Nugget (Isabell Walsh), My Bay Bouncer (Ava Murphy), whilst third place was claimed by Good Counsel College with The Little Squire (Conor Roche), Ardkilly Symphony (Kyle Cummins), Conello Curraghmore (Danny Costello), Allegro (Conor Conway). Loreto Wexford Brown Team, Presentation Wexford white team, Kilkenny College red team were fourth, fifth and sixth.

The fun 80cm class followed and yielded two joint firsts with Robyn Prendergast riding Newtown Rocket for Castletown N.S. and Faye Howlin on Tricky Stephen D representing Tagoat N.S. Representing Gorey Community School was Daisy Daisy ridden by Amber Farrell in third.

The Primary team event was won in fine style by Rathangan N.S. white team of Darby (Harriet Bolger), Connie (Annie Stafford), Grace (Mollie Bates Doyle), Olly (Freya Barry). St Gerard’s Junior School team of Aherne Valiant (Maya Von Moll), Stonehaven Tweety (Dahlia Durkan), Castlegannon Tara (Marina Bolton) was second and Blackwater N.S. team of Boss (Ollie Walsh), Flamin Nora (Aidan Jones), Jack (Zoey Barrett), Bonnie (Dylan Barrett) was third.

The Individual classes were divided between those jumping 75cm and those jumping 55cms. The 75cm class, which is an EII primary individual qualifier, was won by Ollie with Freya Barry of Rathangan N.S. ahead of Phoebe, ridden by Aoife Murphy, from Our Lady Island in second and Tricky Stephen D with Faye Howlin of Tagoat N.S. third. The fun 55cm competition was run as a clear round class and produced lots of lovely clear rounds.

The action this weekend now moves south east to Wexford Equestrian where Bridgetown School play hosts.