Schools showjumping returns to the Meadows as autumn season gets underway

Riders travelled from across Northern Ireland and beyond, with competitors representing schools from north, south, east and west, as well as Donegal and Monaghan. A total of 360 entries across the classes demonstrated the continued popularity and enthusiasm for schools showjumping.

TRI Autumn Schools League

Arena 1 got underway with the 80cm Individual, where Georgia Davis and Old Town Starling, representing Saintfield High School, took victory from a field of 30. Miya Thompson and Killyquinn Robyn, riding for Laurelhill Community College, finished second, with Anna Welch of Coleraine Grammar School taking third aboard Maeve Hollygate Dolly.

The 85cm Team competition attracted 13 teams, with Dromore High School emerging victorious. Their winning team comprised Henry McCarthy and Balnashallog Goldfinch, Jessica Herron and Drumloghan Glen, Chloe Turkington and Seapatrick Make A Move, and Poppy Moore and Western Melody. Royal School Armagh finished runners-up, with Ballyclare High School taking third.

The new 90cm Individual class proved an immediate success, attracting 40 entries. Anna Reid, representing The Wallace High School, took the honours on Quality Quick Star. Second place went to Methodist College pupil Erin Doherty on Consider It Dun, while Amira Greaves and Alfie secured third for Saintfield High School.

Five teams contested the 95cm/1m class, with Enniskillen Royal Grammar School taking the title despite fielding just three riders. Sophie Johnston on Lily, Chloe Cathcart on Winnie and Emma McCaldin on Freya completed the competition on a zero score in a time of 99.50 seconds.

The 1m Individual attracted 28 starters, with Cayleigh Erwin of Antrim Grammar School taking first place aboard Murph. Ellie Bingham and Prada, representing Parkhall Integrated College, finished second, while Strathearn pupil Freya Beva took third on Bud.

The final class in Arena 1 was the 1.10m Individual, where Juliana Nelson secured both first and third places, riding Sam and Tim respectively, while Katie Niblock, representing Kilkeel High School, took second aboard Delilah.

Meanwhile, Arena 2 was busy with the younger competitors, beginning with the 50cm Primary School Individual. With optimum time used to determine the placings, Anna Palmer and Aztec produced an almost perfect round to finish closest to the course designer's target time for Thompson Primary School. Hannah McElduff on Beechmount Noy, representing St Mary's Primary School, Dunamore, finished second closest, with Isla Buchanan of Moira Primary School taking third aboard Peggy.

The 50cm Team competition followed, with the Mini Mixers — Anna Mullan, Rosie Clarke, Isla Clarke and Fiadh Mullan — claiming victory.

The Primary 60cm Individual attracted 24 starters, with Anna Mullan and Peaches Girl, representing Sacred Heart Primary School, taking the win. Sarah Niblock of Kilkeel Primary School finished runner-up aboard Millie.

Two 70cm Individual classes followed, one for Primary School pupils and another for Secondary School students. The Primary class was won by Eliza Burke on Blueoak Bonnie for Clare Primary School, with Molly McCarthy and Hollywood Pippin, representing Downshire Primary School, in second. Saffron Irwin of Friends Primary School finished third aboard Moyans Dun Deal.

The Secondary School 70cm class saw Taylor Lee Doyle take the honours on Alvin for St Catherine's College. Zara McConnell and Rio, representing Friends School Lisburn, finished second, with Georgia Davis and Oldtown Starling of Saintfield High School taking third.

The final competition in Arena 2 was the 75cm Team class, won by Friends School Lisburn. Their successful team comprised Emme Bell on Cruise, Sophie McNaughton on Nora, Poppy Millar on Flash and Zara McConnell on Rio. Newbridge Integrated College finished second with Lily Mairs, Sophie McCullough, Emilia McCullough and Alfie Hagan.

The Sunday Special proves a hit

With the final schools competitors barely having left the arena, The Meadows opened its gates for the launch of The Sunday Special, a new unregistered cash-back jumping series in Arena 1.

The inaugural event proved extremely popular, attracting 80 combinations. In addition to cash prizes, competitors also have the opportunity to win spot prizes awarded by the judges on the day.

Starting at 10am, the competition opened with X Poles, where Emily Crawford and Reflex Just Peachy produced a lovely double-clear round.

The 50cm class saw four combinations finish on double clears, while eight pairs jumped clear in the 60cm class.

From 70cm upwards, competitors faced the additional challenge of a timed round. Laoise Clancy and Sam took the 70cm victory with a double-clear round in 28.01 seconds, ahead of Charlotte Crawford on Newtown Melody.

Georgia Storey and Freddie claimed the 80cm class, with Holly Lindsay on Ardlonan Jude taking second and Aliyah Johnston aboard Stroller finishing third.

Ellie Louise McCann enjoyed a particularly successful day, taking victory in both the 90cm and 1m classes. She won the 90cm aboard Miss LV, ahead of Jill Ruddle on Jack and Lauren McGrath on Steve.

McCann then completed the double by taking the 1m class, with Sophie Lindsay finishing second.

The day's competition concluded with the 1.10m class, where Shannon Robinson and Saffron took the honours.

The Sunday Special continues at The Meadows on Sunday, 20 September, with entries available through The Meadows website until 4pm on Saturday. Late entries will also be accepted on the day.

Sunday Special Results

X Poles: 1st Emily Crawford – Reflex Just Peachy

50cm: Equal 1st Abbey Liggett – Rocket Rosie; Clara O'Neill – Dinky; Dara Currie – Belles Boy; Evelyn O'Neill – Maggie

60cm: Equal 1st Celena Gallagher – Lands End Ivy; Chloe Hall – Troy; Dara Currie – Our Bonnie; Evelyn O'Neill – Maggie; Clara O'Neill – Dinky; Penelope Robinson – Polly; Victoria Graham – Lady; Sandra Simpson – Green

70cm: 1st Laoise Clancy – Sam; 2nd Charlotte Crawford – Newtown Melody

80cm: 1st Georgia Storey – Freddie; 2nd Holly Lindsay – Ardlonan Jude; 3rd Aliyah Johnston – Stroller

90cm: 1st Ellie Louise McCann – Miss LV; 2nd Jill Ruddle – Jack; 3rd Lauren McGrath – Steve

1m: 1st Ellie Louise McCann – Miss LV; 2nd Sophie Lindsay

1.10m: 1st Shannon Robinson – Saffron