Cambridge House Complete a Treble at The Meadows

News Desk | January 13, 2014

The eagerly awaited Final of the Meadows Equestrian Centre’s Inter -Schools Show Jumping League took place on Saturday on a rather cool but glorious spring day. The pressure of the final certainly took its toll with some of the most consistent combinations failing to secure the all important double clears.

This was most evident in the Novice Team Event where Royal School Armagh, winners of the previous four legs, finished in 11^th place on the day which created great anticipation as to how the final league placings would pan out. On the day, victory went to a delighted duo of Charlotte Harding and Ellie Humphries from Cambridge House Grammar who have been consistently in the top placings every month. They were less than a second faster than the very accomplished team from Belfast Royal Academy followed by Lurgan Junior High.

This year, the success of the MEC League has led to an invitation for the winning teams to travel to the All Ireland Inter-Schools Show Jumping Final in Coilog in April. When the calculations for the Novice Team League placings were completed, it revealed a draw for first place between Royal School Armagh and Cambridge House but, in line with procedure, the accolade went to Cambridge House as the team with the higher placing at the Final. Cambridge House went on to score a treble by winning the Tack & Turn Out Award as well.

Individually, it was a fast and furious competition with Royal School Armagh’s Maeve McCall picking up top spot with her very reliable Snowy. The combination also gained second place overall in the League which was won by Hannah Rafferty and Robe Dream.

The Open Team competition provided very few surprises and saw victory on the day, as well as overall in the League, go to a very strong team from Royal School Armagh who actually only dropped one point throughout the five legs. BRA, who were snapping at the winner’s heels since September, finished second overall as well as claiming the ‘Best Turned Out’ Award.

Undoubtedly, the most excited competitor of the day was 12 year old Victoria Boville from Dromore High School who brushed off the competition in the Open Individual class with her fantastic little pony, Pippa, completing two seconds ahead of Rachel Chapman and Duffy. This is all the more remarkable, given that Victoria was still competing as a Primary School pupil last year. She went one step further by winning the League outright and receiving a beautiful new bridle and headcollar from the sponsor, Jo Chesney of Cherry Soda Ladies Fashion.

Meantime, action in the Primary section got underway in Arena 2 with a very excited group of 11 year olds and under. They have provided plenty of excitement and entertainment over the past five months and this month was no exception. Most of the teams have been very equally balanced with each of them having had one ‘off day’ in the course of the League which left everything to play for on Saturday. Again, there were elements of mixed fortunes but, in the end, Moira Mavericks picked up their 3^rd victory which was good enough to secure them League Winners too.

In the individual section, it was a runaway victory for Kerry Magill who didn’t need ‘Another Chance’ to scoop the League Champion title. Tack and Turn Out was won, again, by The Tiny Terrors who certainly have put great effort all season into their presentation. Thanks goes to Ros Murphy for the unenviable task of judging this aspect of all three competitions but whose critical eye certainly missed none of the detail.

The Meadows Equestrian Centre would like to thank the Sponsors, Vicky of Horse World NI, Jo Chesney of Cherry Soda Ladies Clothing and Judy Maxwell of Baileys Horse Feeds whose generosity and support of the League is very much appreciated. Thanks, too, to all the Judges, Starters and Arena Parties in both locations as well as all the schools, together with their chefs d’equipe, who supported the League.

The next Schools’ competition at The Meadows Equestrian Centre takes place on Monday 17^th March with a ‘Saint Patrick’s Schools’ Special’. There are classes for Primary (70cms), Novice (85cms) and Open (1m) for both team and individual as well as a ‘Premier’ Individual class at 1.10m.

There will be prizes for best fancy dress for both team and individual and full details are available on the MEC website.

Full Results

Novice Teams

Cambridge House Grammar (Charlotte Harding, Kilaney Prince, Ellie Humphries, Princess Ita, Charlotte Harding, Safety First, Ellie Humphries, Sligo Lucky)
Belfast Royal Academy (Victoria Minford, Okey Dokey, Mimi Jeffrey, Colours R Us, Justine Harding, Ellie, Amber Vick, Jake)
Lurgan Junior High (Katie Good, Keltroy, Jasmine Crothers, Prince Arigogs Spirit, Katie Good, Consider It Dun, Jasmine Crothers, Albus Dumbledore)
Ballyclare Secondary (Jessica McConnell, Change of Heart, Robyn McConnell, Lemon Sherbert, Alex McConnell, Levi, Robyn McConnell, Tahoe Tradewinds)
Our Ladies Grammar School, Newry (Roisin Muirhead, Dunsallen, Grace Kehoe, Park Crystal, Meadbh McIlduff, B Na G Jasmine, Roisin Muirhead, Phoenix Firefly)
Wallace High School (Rachel Patterson, Ladybug, Victoria O’Connor, Ladybug, Abby Neill, Kill Tubber Cooper)

Tack and Turn Out Winners – Cambridge House Grammar

Novice Team League Placings

Cambridge House Grammar 2. Royal School Armagh 3. Our Ladies Grammar, Newry 4. Belfast Royal Academy 5. Down High Gold 6. Lurgan Junior High

Novice Individual

Maeve McCall, Snowy, Royal School Armagh 2. Trudie McCoosh, Murphy, Victoria College 3. Trudie McCoosh, Princess, Victoria College 4. Sarah Leader, Casper, St Dominics 5. Ellen Donnelly, Reme, St Patrick’s College 6. Olivia Hughes, Oscar

Novice Individual League Placings

Hannah Rafferty, Robe Dream 2. Maeve McCall, Snowy 3. Ellen Donnelly, Reme 4. Roisin Muirhead, Dunsallen 5. Alix Robinson, Tia Maria 6= Morgan Skillen, Mayo & Hannah Rafferty, Cor Rambler

Open Team

Royal School Armagh (Abby Morton, Patchmills Laura, Rachel Chapman, Pippa, Lucy Gibson, Zoe, Lucy Cloughan)
BRA Potinger (Justine Harding, Ivy, Amy Wilson, Vagabond, Jessica Johnston, Thorn, Justine Harding, Lucy)
Regent House Grammar (Regan McKee, Rosscor Freedom, Aimee McKeown, Silver, Regan McKee, Rosscor Silver Lady)
Down High Flyers (Harriet Pele, Dylan, Rachel Adams, Poppy, Zoe Woods, Annie, Tilly Horder, Duke)
Hunterhouse College (Chloe Lister-Tinsley, Dale, Katie Parker, Annie, Carly Hamilton, Lulu)
Down High Eagles (Rachel Lambe, Ducky, Erin Gabbie, Catalina, Charlotte Leslie, Queenie, Jacob Morrow, Tambo)

Team League Placings

Royal School Armagh 2. BRA Potinger 3. Down High Flyers 4. Regent House Grammar, 5. St Joseph’s Grammar 6. Down High Eagles

Tack & Turn Out Winners – BRA Potinger

Open Individual

Victoria Boville, Pippa, Dromore High School 2. Rachel Chapman, Duffy, Royal School Armagh 3. Gemma Chambers, Honey, Newbridge Integrated 4. Regan McKee, Rosscor Freedom, Regent House 5. Justine Harding, My Gypsy Rose, Cambridge House 6. Ciara Muirhead, Phoenix Firefly, Our Ladys Grammar

Open League Placings

Victoria Boville, Pippa 2. Regan McKee, Rosscor Freedom 3. Gemma Chambers, Honey 4. Trudie McCoosh, Dinky Toy 5. Trudie McCoosh, Blitz 6. Aimee McKeown, Silver

Primary Teams

Moira Mavericks (Sarah Moore, bob, Laura Brown, Tina, Connie Crothers, Albus Dumbledore, Daniel Brown, Scooby)
Fairview/Ballyclare/Tildarg (The Funky Fillies) (Laura McKay, Scout, Hannah McCartney, Dexter, Felicity McConnell, Jamie, Laura McKay, Darcy)
Meadowbridge (Kerry Magill, Flapjack, Simone Leathem, Little Miss Trouble, Kerry Magill, Another Chance, Simone Leathem, Willow)
Fairhill/Spa/Park Lodge/Drumadonnell (The Mighty Midgets) (Megan Nelson, Puzzle, Edmond Whiteside, Ella, Ryan Boville, Toffee, Gillian Grogan, Slim Shady)
Moira Mayhem (Sarah Moore, Flash, Laura Brown, Scooby, Connie Crothers, Jimmy, Daniel Moore, Flash)
Drumhillary/Tandragee (The Rascals) (Lucy Morton, Bugsy, Katie McCombe, White Ribbon, Lucy Morton, Expresso, Katie McCombe, Bambi)

Team League Placings

Moira Mavericks 2. Fairview/Ballyclare/Tildarg (The Funky Fillies) 3. Drumhillary/Tandragee (The Rascals) 4. Fairhill/Spa/Park Lodge/Drumadonnell (The Mighty Midgets) 5. Meadowbridge 6. Moira Mayhem

Tack & Turn Out Winners – The Tiny Terrors (Lara Kelly, Tootsie, Thomas Murphy, AJ Locarno, Charlotte McGladdery, Princess Panda, Victoria Fox, Lislaird Joni)

Primary Individual

Kerry Magill, Another Chance 2. Laura McKay, Darcy 3. Ryan Boville, Toffee 4. Megan Nelson, Puzzle 5. Lara Kelly, Tootsie 6. Victoria Fox, Lislaird Joni

Primary League Placings