Double Victory for Royal School Armagh at The Meadows
The Meadows Equestrian Centre was a hive of activity on Saturday for the start of the Annual Inter-Schools’ Showjumping League. One could easily have thought that the Agha Khan Trophy was up for grabs, such was the intensity of competition at all three levels.
The Novice class attracted most entries with over twenty teams and more than 30 individuals from right across Northern Ireland. The first competitor was in the arena on the stroke of 9am and, inevitably, the leader board kept changing with victory, in this hard fought class, eventually going to the last team to compete, Royal School, Armagh, who were one of seven teams to complete on a zero score.
The individual competition was fast and furious. Co Fermanagh’s Katie Conlon held the lead for quite a while with Brookehaven Prince but she was eventually overtaken by Hannah Rafferty and Robe Dream, whose time, coupled with the double clear, proved impossible to beat.
The Open competition was also quite a spectacle with great excitement in the wings as each team took to the arena. Team clears were harder to come by in this class and indeed it was just Royal School Armagh who managed this feat to win the class. Regent House, fielding just three team members, did sterling work to slot into 2nd place, just ahead, on time, of Belfast Royal Academy.
Again, the Individual competition saw plenty of thrills and spills with lots of vocal encouragement from spectators and supporters. The coveted top placed rosette went to Victoria Boville and Pippa, a combination not known for hanging about who threw caution to the wind and flew round the course in record time to finish ahead of Gemma Chambers and Honey.
Meantime Arena 2 played host to The Primary competitions after the Judges had completed the unregistered jumping.
Once again, there was a very impressively large turn- out of teams at this level and these primary school pupils certainly meant serious business. Indeed, their superb performances belied their tender years and they are all to be congratulated on their skills and determination.
Five teams finished on a zero score with top placing being awarded to The Rascals, who have lost two of their team members from last year due to graduation to Secondary education.
Individually, Kerry Magill deservedly claimed the honours on Another Chance after a thrilling performance with Arthur Conlon picking up 2nd place on his terrific little pony, Only My Eoin.
A huge thank you goes to Elizabeth and Ann Jess, whose attention to detail in the Tack and Turn Out Inspection is legendary. Those teams who passed the test of their watchful eyes are truly deserving of their prizes. Thanks, too, to the sponsors, Horse World NI and Cherry Soda Clothing as well as the Judges and Arena Parties in both locations.
The next leg of this League takes place at The Meadows on Saturday 12th October.
Full Results
Novice Teams
1. Royal School Armagh ( Catherine Morton, Petal, Sarah Clarke, Alfie, Maeve McCall, Snowy, Abby Morton, Tobias)
2. Our Ladies Grammar School, Newry ( Roisin Muirhead, Dunsallen, Aoife O’Farrell, Walking Grey Shadow, Meadbh McIlduff, B Na G Jasmine, Grace Kehoe, Park Crystal)
3. Down High Gold (Aoife Hamilton- Quinn, Beauty, Lauren Gabbie, Spencer, Alex Cleland, Whisper Grey Dove, Ellie Parkhill, Toni)
4. Cambridge House Grammar( Charlotte Harding , Kilaneys Prince, Ellie Humphries, Aloud Tip Top, Charlotte Harding, Susie, Ellie Humphries, Princess Ita)
5. St Dominic’s/ SERC (Dundrod Fillies)
(Rebecca Loney, Lark, Ruth Leader, Casper, Sarah Leader, Shannon, Jade Harper, Dollar)
6. Ballyclare Secondary School
(Jessica McConnell, Change of Heart, Alexandra McConnell, Levi, Robyn McConnell, Lemon Sherbert, Jessica McConnell, Levi)
Novice Individual
1. Hannah Rafferty, Robe Dream 2. Katie Conlon, Brookehaven Prince 3. Roisin Muirhead, Dunsallen 4. Hannah Rafferty, Cor Rambler 5. William Girvan, Sequin 6. Rebecca Carroll, The Duchess
Novice Tack and Turn Out Winners
1. Victoria College (Olivia Hughes, Forest Lodge Rambler, Tara Murphy, Annaghmore Clover Bloom, Trudie McCoosh, Princess, Georgia Kirkwood, Mia)
Open Team
1. Royal School Armagh ( Abby Morton, Smokey Joe, Rachel Chapman, Pippa, Lucy Gibson, Zoe, Lucy Cloughan, Benaughlin Little Condy)
2. Regent House Grammar ( Katherine Sinclair, Hallowed Eve, Holly Boal, Classiebawn Jacks Lad, Regan McKee, Roscor Freedom)
3. Belfast Royal Academy (Beth Moss, Oliver, Justine Harding, Amy Wilson, Vagabond, Amber Vick, Yogi)
4. St Joseph’s Grammar School (Niamh McArdle, Harry Beau, Olivia Hughes, Oscar, Niamh McArdle, Captain Jack Sparrow, Ellie McArdle, Heidi)
5. Portadown College (Kara Mills, Deacon Blue, Sarah Sinton, Merlin, Laura Boyce, Glenloughan Star, Lucile Gilpin, Sunshine Charlie)
6. Hunterhouse College (Chloe Lister Tinsley, Carla, Joanna Lindsay, Sasha, Chloe Lister Tinsley)
Open Individual
1. Victoria Boville, Pippa 2. Gemma Chambers, Honey 3. Roisin Muirhead, Golden Gate 4. Sarah Jane Alexander, I am Legend 5. Regan McKee, Rosscor Freedom 6. Kara Mills, Deacon Blue
Open Tack and Turn Out Winners – Regent House Grammar ( Katherine Sinclair, Hallowed Eve, Holly Boal, Classiebawn Jacks Lad, Regan McKee, Roscor Freedom)
Primary Schools
1. Drumhillary/Tandragee (The Rascals)
(Katie McCombe, White Ribbon, Lucy Morton, Bugsy, Katie McCombe, Bambi, Lucy Morton, Sandy)
2. Moira Mavericks (Daniel Moore, Scooby, Connie Crothers, Albus Dumbledore, Laura Brown, Scooby, Sarah Moore, Millie)
3. Fairhill (Megan Nelson, Puzzle, Edmond Whiteside, Ella, Gillian Grogan, Slim Shady, Ryan Boville, Toffee)
4. St Mary’s Mulymesker (Arthur Conlon, Only My Eoin, Matthew Conlon, Sharon’s Choice, Arthur Conlon, Sharon’s Choice, Robert McLaven, Commanchies First)
5. Meadow Bridge (Jake Leathem, Trinny, Simone Leathem, Little Miss Trouble, Jake Leathem, Willow, Kerry Magill, Another Chance)
6. Fairview PS Ballyclare/ Tildarg (Laura McKay, Scout, Hannah McCartney, Dexter, Felicity McConnell, Jamie, Laura McKay, Darcy)
Primary Individual
- Kerry Magill, Another Chance 2. Arthur Conlon, Only My Eoin 3. Brigid Delargy, JLO 4. Victoria Fox, Lislaird Joni 5. Laura McKay, Mr Darcy 6. Matthew Conlon, Sharon’s Choice
Tack & Turn Out Winners – Tiny Terrors (Tom Rowlatt McCormack, Nat King Cole, Victoria Fox, Joni, Abbi Cummiskey, Glenarch Purr, Zara Sharvin, Archill Lass)
Category: News, Results, Show Jumping
