A LARGE group of enthusiastic riders descended on Warrington Equestrian Centre to contest the TRI Equestrian Interschools event, run by longtime supporters Kilkenny College on Sunday, September 27th. The competitions also decided the winner of two perpetual cups, the Mervyn White cup and the Tiggy Hancock cup, presented every year in their memory.

The competitions in the outside sand arena were delayed to allow the heavy rain to pass over and, to facilitate the smooth running of the day, the novice teams were moved indoors. This meant that the TRI Equestrian Open Team event commenced proceedings once the rain passed over, where again 11 teams took part and once again Presentation Kilkenny (Wilmas Misty ridden by Mia Rowe, MHS Joelene and Alice Maloney, Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond ridden by Rachel Sheenan and Chandler De Nyze Z and Sofia Zara) saw off all their rivals to take the win and claim the White Cup.

Host school Kilkenny College’s Red Team of Coppenagh Viking and Donnacha Burns, He’s A Touch of Magic with Gwendolyn Bradford, Gee Bungi and Taylor Grace Nolan and Melody ridden by Ava O’Neill claimed the runner-up slot, with Loreto Kilkenny representatives: Hobby De Noist ridden by Anne Hughes Kennedy, Alfie and Aine Walsh, Saunders Beachball Cruise ridden by Maizie Cummins and Currabawn Black Magic and Emily O’Keefe, in third. Ursuline Thurles, The King’s Hospital and Kilkenny College were fourth, fifth and sixth.

Tiggy Hancock Cup

The TRI Equestrian Open 1m individual league class and the Tiggy Hancock Cup were won in fine style by Erin Appleby from Ursuline Thurles riding Quest Du Buhot, with Louisa Dalton on Monarch of the Glen from St Leo’s Carlow in second and Kilkenny College’s Tristan Kelly on Garvagh Moonlight Boy in third. Remaining league points went to Tara Moquet, Grace Shannon and Hazel Slattery.

The TRI Equestrian Premier 110 qualifier completed the open competitions. First place went to Abbie Murphy from St Declan’s Community College and Bob, who posted a very fast time of 22.5, ahead of Isabel Smithwick and Donode Don’t Forget for Kilkenny College in the runner-up spot on 26.44 and Brooke Sutton McGarry and Castle Ellis Lil for Ramsgrange in third. The remaining qualifying combinations were Emily O’Keefe and Currabawn Black Magic from Loreto Kilkenny, Rachel Sheehan and Ballynoe Lugan Diamond from Presentation Kilkenny and Pasadena Trend and Lilian Ward representing The King’s Hospital.

Meanwhile, in the indoor, the first competition was the hotly-contested EII primary individual league class. Emily Brennan riding Rosco from Scoil Bhride Paulstown was the winner, ahead of Kyla O’Keefe and Handsome from Tinahely NS in second and Meave Cahill and Cailin Aerach from Scoil Diarmuida Castledermot in third. Harry Murphy, Freya Ferguson and Josh Owens also gained league points. The fun novice 80cm class, open to both second level novice riders and primary pupils, followed. Ted Dooley riding Skraedderdals for Bennetsbridge NS won the class. Lucy Day on Kilkisheen Girl from Presentation Wexford was second and Catch Me Now and Frankie Rath from Screen NS was third.

Novice teams

A total of 11 teams lined out for the EII novice team event. The eventual winners were Presentation Kilkenny representatives: Fermoyle Joey and Meabh Quinn, Rickamore Sport ridden by Sadhbh Quinn, White Light and Dearbhla Rice and Taylors Dicie Riley and Molly Clarke. They were followed in second by the St Leo’s College team of Pippy Long Stockings and Darci Hutton, Knocka Darcy and Einin Dwyer, Aughavinna Sheila ridden by Anna Curry and Frosthill Jackaroo with Louisa Dalton. Presentation Kilkenny Yellow Team was third. Ballytober Sabrina and Charlotte O’Connell, Derrymore Smokey ridden by Ruth O’Brien, Hamptons Flicka and Mia Rowe and Dartan’s Seoda Ban and Nancy Lyons Teehan made up that team.

The Equieire novice 90cm class attracted a big entry, as did the other individual classes. Heather Davern on Iceford Du Lady from Ursuline Thurles emerged victorious in this, with Boulavogue Blue J ridden by Anna Kennedy from Loreto Kilkenny in second and Caoimhe Treacy rode My Blessington Rocket Blaze for Comeragh College into third. Also qualifying for the final were Judy O’Donnell, Katie Wallace and Lucy Clinton.

Kilkenny College was very grateful to all of those who did not mind the weather delay and to the team from Warrington for their facilities and the smooth running of the day. Action this weekend moves to both Wexford in the south east and to Ower Equestrian in the west.