THERE was another good day of action at the TRI Equestrian Interschools competition, hosted by Good Counsel College at Wexford Equestrian.

The EII novice teams league competition started proceedings in the indoor arena where local school Presentation Wexford took the honours. The team was Teddy (Eva Milligan), KEC Chloe Fantasy (Ruby Reville), Stormy (Rhona Kelly) and Cara (Cerys Roche). St Mary’s New Ross was the runner-up represented by Ross Arthur (Eva Kent), Aprils Pearl (Ava Donovan), Dory (Aoife Cummins) and Tomella (Kate Costello). Third place was claimed by the Loreto Wexford team of Red Joplin (Sarah Cousins), Hobbinstown Hero (Kate Jordan), My Bay Bouncer (Ava Murphy), Loyal Gem (Leah Murphy) ahead of the second Presentation Wexford team, St Peter’s Wexford and St Peter’s Dunboyne.

This exciting competition was followed by the Equieire EII qualifier class which went to St Mary’s New Ross rider Eva O’Grady riding Callan Biscuit. Kate Walsh from Loreto Wexford on Shire Molly claimed second place with Cillian Crosby on Deer Park Bell from Newtown in third. The remaining qualifier slots went to Darby Condren riding Chesterfield Erin Curtis (St Gerard’s), Eva O’Grady on her second mount Killbrin Lad, and Isobel Walsh riding Bell’s Nugget for St Mary’s.

While the TRI Equestrian open team league class was not so well supported last weekend, it still provided excellent competition between the two schools currently heading the league. This time the honours went to Gorey Community School represented by Killaspic Killmaster (Eimear Ní Chinnéide), Misha B (Holly Spencer), Kyle Lad (Lauren Spencer) and Abbey Brooke Aurora (Angelica McGee). Coláiste Bhríde Carnew claimed the runner-up slot with its team of Drummin Pretty Lady (Hannah O’Neill), Boularee (Cian Byrne), Galtee Shadow (Johnnie Sheppard) and Lunasa Cruise (Sophie Wilson).

Triumph for Bates

The TRI Equestrian open Individual league competition followed and Ramsgrange Community School rider Jessie Bates, riding Guns for Hire, claimed this class. Wesley College rider Emily Crawford on LGS Safari was second with Blessington Community School’s Kyra Griffin riding Don Ho in third. The remaining league points went to Hannah O’Neill on Drummin Pretty Lady riding for Coláiste Bhríde Carnew, Johnnie Sheppard on Galtee Shadow and Lunasa Cruise and Sophie Wilson, both also from Carnew.

Gorey Community School’s Lauren Spenser riding Kyle Lad led the line-up in the HSI 1.10m qualifier class. Sophie Wilson and Cian Byrne, both representing Carnew, were second and third riding Lunasa Cruise and Vinnie. Wesley’s Emily Crawford on LGS Safari was fourth and Kyra Griffin from Blessington on Dom Ho was fifth.

Meanwhile the outdoor arena was hosting a well-supported fun primary teams’ competition. The Kilraine NS team was awarded the red rosettes ahead of Blackwater NS. The Kilraine team was Buttons (Cillian Mooney), Gerry (Ruth Stafford), Lucy (Lucy Stafford) and Breolie Mist (Hazel Slattery), whilst Blackwater NS was represented by Flamin Nora (Aidan Jones), Boss (Ollie Walsh), Mulladuff (Kate Jones) and Bonnie (Dylan Barrett). Screen NS’s Green Bubbles (Sophie Dunne), Joey (Alicia Corrigan), Lucy (Pippa Howett) and Lady (Caitlin Griffith) were third ahead of Kilmore NS in fourth and Rathangan NS in fifth and sixth.

The EII 75cm Individual League was won by Freya Barry from Rathangan NS riding Olly. Kilraine NS’s Hazel Slattery on Breolie Mist and Aoife Murphy riding Phoebe for Broadway NS were second and third. Donnacha Cousins (Kilmore NS), Anny Curry (Scoil Diarmuida) and Lucy Stafford (Kilraine) were fourth, fifth and sixth.

The fun 80cm class, open to both primary and secondary pupils, went to Chocolate Sauce, ridden by Fionnán Nolan from Monageer NS. Amber Farrell on Daisy Daisy from Gorey CS was runner-up with Tagoat NS’s Fay Howlin riding Tricky Stephen Dee in second and third. In the fun 55cm class, Anna Curry on Dolly from Castledermot NS came first ahead of Charlie May Murphy and Killian Mooney.

All the classes were kindly supported by sponsors on the day including Gain Equine Nutrition, Connolly’s Red Mills, Bluegrass Feeds and Cooney Furlong.

The action moves this weekend to Barnadown where Gorey Community School are the hosts.