Horse Week: TRI Equestrian and Baileys Horse Feeds Interschools final

With valuable league points still up for grabs across all divisions, competitors faced a thrilling day of competition, with plenty of close finishes and some outstanding performances.

Arena 1 – Secondary School Competitions

The day’s action in Arena 1 got underway with the 80cm Individual class, where Georgia Davis, riding Oldtown Starling for Saintfield High School, claimed victory. Anna Welch from Coleraine Grammar School finished second aboard Maeve Hollygate, while third place was shared between Amelia Grant on Roseanna, representing Rathfriland High School, and Ariana McKee on Calla Lily for Kilkeel High School. Despite finishing second on the day, Anna Welch's consistent performances throughout the league secured her the overall 80cm Individual title, making those early starts and long journeys worthwhile.

Seven teams lined up for the 85cm Team competition, with Dromore High School taking the honours. They were one of only two teams to produce a zero score, alongside Ballyclare High School, but Dromore's quicker time secured the win. Their success on the day also confirmed their position at the top of the league table, taking the overall title from Royal School Armagh by the narrowest of margins, with just one point separating the two schools.

Consistency proved key in the 90cm Individual class, as Anna Reid, riding Quality Quick Star for The Wallace High School, secured her fifth victory of the league. This impressive run of results earned her maximum points and the overall league title.

Banbridge Academy continued their strong form in the 95cm Team competition, securing their third win of the league and, with it, the overall championship title ahead of Dromore High School. The winning team consisted of Maisie McCracken (Darkie's Boy), Tilly Tumility (Millbarr Phynix), Alana Eadie (Parkplace Fern) and Lily Murphy (Dunran Love in The Mist).

In the 1m Individual class, Lily Murphy took first place aboard Dunran Love in The Mist, ahead of Amira Greeves on Alfie, with Katie Niblock from Kilkeel High School finishing third on Delilah. The overall league title went to Cayleigh Erwin of Antrim Grammar School, whose points accumulated over the previous rounds were enough to secure the championship.

The final class in Arena 1 was the 1.10m Individual, where two combinations managed to produce double clears. Tilly Tumulty of Banbridge Academy, riding Millbarr Phynix, produced the fastest round to take the win ahead of Charlotte McAllister on Captain Missy Finn from Dunclug College. The league title went to Tilly Tumulty, who finished just one point ahead of Charlotte in an exceptionally close finish.

Arena 2 – Primary School and 70cm/75cm Competitions

Meanwhile, Arena 2 opened with the 50cm Primary Individual class. Lucy Thursfield, riding Mighty Meeko for Stranmillis Primary School, took the top spot, with Fiadh Mullan on Peaches Girl finishing second for Sacred Heart Primary School. Third place went to Sophia Montgomery on Popcorn, representing Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School.

The overall 50cm league title was claimed by Emma Berry, riding Murphy for Killinch Primary School, who finished three points ahead of Rebecca McGuinness from Annahilt Primary School on Millyard Bobstar.

The 50cm Primary Team competition attracted an impressive 54 teams, highlighting the popularity of the league among young riders. Taking the win were The Mini Mixers, followed by The Flying Fillies in second and Tullylagan Mix Ups in third. The Mini Mixers also secured the overall league title. Their team comprised Fiadh Mullan (Peaches Girl), Isla Clarke (Candy Crush), Rosie Clarke (Tyrllawn Maseratti) and Anna Mullan (Peaches Girl).

Molly McCarthy, riding Hollywood Pippin for Downshire Primary School, took victory in the 60cm Primary Individual class. Lucy Thursfield on Mighty Meeko finished second, with Amy Reid of Riverdale Primary School taking third aboard Super Cinnamon. Amy Reid also secured the overall league title in this division, finishing just one point ahead of Molly McCarthy.

Three teams contested the 65cm Primary Team competition, with The Saddle Sisters claiming the win ahead of The Canter Queens in second and Tullylagan Mix Ups in third. The winning Saddle Sisters team consisted of Daisy Murphy (Bonecastle Lass), Molly McCarthy (Hollywood Pippin), Chloe Hall (Jumanji) and Ella Hagan (Shanny).

Molly McCarthy continued her successful day by taking another victory in the 70cm Primary Individual class, once again riding Hollywood Pippin. Daisy Murphy on Bonecastle Lass secured second place, while Abigail Grant, riding Rambo for Iveagh Primary School, finished third. Molly’s excellent performances throughout the season also secured her the overall league title, finishing just one point short of the maximum available.

The 70cm Secondary Individual class attracted an impressive 38 starters, with Taylor-Lee Doyle on Alvin from Saint Catherine's College taking the win ahead of Jessica Doyle on Homealone JJ for St Mary's Grammar School. Zara McConnell from Friends' School Lisburn finished third aboard Rio.

Taylor-Lee Doyle’s outstanding consistency throughout the season was rewarded with the overall league title, having won five of the six league legs. Jessica Doyle also enjoyed a very successful campaign, finishing second overall after placing second in five of the six rounds.

The final competition of the day in Arena 2 was the 75cm Team class, where seven teams battled for the final honours. Friends' School Lisburn took the win, with Saint Catherine's College finishing second and Newbridge Integrated College third. The Friends' School team, made up of Emme Bell (Cruise), Sophie McNaughton (Nora), Poppy Millar (Toberpatrick Flash) and Zara McConnell (Rio), also secured the overall league title.

Looking Ahead

With the TRI Equestrian & Baileys Horse Feeds Interschools League now complete for another season, congratulations go to all the individual and team league champions, as well as every rider, school and team who took part throughout the series.

The action at The Meadows Equestrian Centre is far from over, however, as attention now turns to the Glebe Equine Mix N Match series, which gets underway on Saturday 14th November.

Running every Saturday through to and including 5th December, the series will feature show jumping in Arena 1 and cross-country in Arena 2, with the final date also incorporating the much-anticipated Christmas Show.

For further information and details of upcoming events, visit www.themec.co.uk.