Exciting start to Inter-schools’ League at the Meadows

TRI Equestrian NI-sponsored league showcases the talent and competitive spirit among young equestrians

The first leg of the TRI Equestrian NI-sponsored Inter-schools’ league kicked off at the Meadows Equestrian Centre on Saturday, September 14, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit among young equestrians from schools across the region.

In the Primary 50cm Individual category, Mona Roelle aboard ‘Tango’ from  Victoria College Prep. claimed victory, followed closely by Rachel Stranney on ‘AJ’ from Christ the King PS in  Drumaness. The Mini Mixtures team, featuring riders, including Rosie Clarke and Myra McCarroll, secured first place in the Primary 50cm Teams competition.

Peter Morton riding ‘Pearl’, winners of the Premier Open Individual class at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows. PICTURES: courtesy of Tori O’Connor

Hello and welcome to Horse&Field. Our aim is to support local, grass roots equestrian enthusiasts and competitors and keep you all informed of what’s happening in the horsey world, as well as covering all things agricultural. If you haven’t already subscribed you can do so below:

Eliza Burke, riding ‘Blueoak Bonnie’ from Clare PS, triumphed in the Primary 60cm Individual event. The Born to Ride team, with standout performances from Molly Reid and Isobell Abernethy, dominated the Primary 60cm Teams category.

The Primary 70cm Individual event saw Harry Hannaway on ‘Hippo’ take the top spot.

Harry Hannaway riding ‘Hippo’, winners of the Primary 70cm Individual class at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

In the Secondary 75cm Teams division, Friends School emerged victorious, with stellar performances from Georgia Storey and Zara McConnell. Caitie McEvoy from St Francis Primary led the Secondary 75cm Individual category with her pony ‘Fred’.

Banbridge High School Flyers soared to first place in the Novice Teams 85cm, while Jack Cowan on ‘Buddy’ from Lurgan College excelled in the Novice Individuals 85cm.

Jack Cowan riding ‘Buddy’, winners of the Novice Individual class at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

The Open Teams 1m category was fiercely contested, with Dromore High School clinching first place, thanks to exceptional rides by Jenna Morton and Zara Reid. Tim Morton from Seagoe Primary School topped the Open Individual 1m event on ‘Silver’.

Open Team winners Dromore High School: Taylor McKnight, Katie McKee, Zara Reid and Jenna Morton at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

In the Premier Open Individual 1.10m, Peter Morton showcased his talent with ‘Pearl’ for Royal School Armagh securing first place. Mellisa McKinstry from Queen’s University excelled in the University Section of the Premier Open Individual 1.10m on ‘Oxendeen Lui’.

The second leg of this ever-popular league takes place on Saturday, September 28. 

RESULTS

Saturday, September 14

2024 Inter-schools’ Series – week 1

Primary 50cm Individual:

1) Mona Roelle, Tango, Victoria College Prep; 2) Rachel Stranney, AJ, Christ the King PS, Drumaness; 3) Joanna Douglas, Scarletts Harry (Harry), Hardy Memorial Primary School; 4) Molly McCarthy, Casper, Downshire Primary; 5) Daisy Murphy, Woodfield Prancer, Killinchy Primary; 6) Lillian Stockdale, Candy, Carntall Primary.

Primary 50cm Teams:

1) Mini Mixtures: Rosie Clarke, Culmore Princess; Myra McCarroll, Mr Punky; Jessica McCarroll, Killenena Sandy; Lilian Stockdale, Candy; 2) Glynn Primary School/ Toreagh Primary School: Lily Crawford, Ballyskeagh Pixi; Harlow Robinson, Holly; Penny Robinson, Dat’ll Do; Lily Crawford, Aghaderg Stepping Delight; 3) Mini Mavericks: Lyla Faith Jones, Highthyme Anastasia; Lottie Coombs, Bobby; Jonathan Black, Legavallons Miss Pepper; Caomhian J O’Kane, Lily Rose.

Winners of the Primary 50cm Teams, ‘The Mini Mixtures’: Rosie Clarke, Myra McCarroll, Lilian Stockdale and Jessica McCarroll at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

Primary 60cm Individual:

1) Eliza Burke, Blueoak Bonnie, Clare PS; 2) Jake Ross, Mini Digger, Fairview Primary; 3) Maisie Rogers, Commander, St Patrick's Academy; 4) Mona Roelle, Tango, Victoria College Prep; 5) Sandra Simpson, Princess Snowdrop, Killylea Primary School; 6) Taylor-Lee Doyle, Telynau Darwin, St Oliver Plunketts PS, Ballyhegan. 

Eliza Burke riding ‘Blueoak Bonnie’, winners of the Primary 60cm Individual class at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

Primary 60cm Teams:

1) Born to Ride: Molly Reid, Little Me; Isobell Abernethy, Shadow of a Star; Zara Abertnethy, Whitehill Bella; Molly Reid, Kingsman Dave; 2) Loanends Primary School: Mark Brown, Josie; Paige Erwin, Quincey; Georgia Bingham, Rosie Boo; Indie Bingham, Poppy; 3) Kate Green, Fifi Trixiebelle; Daisy Murphy, Brookfield Prancer; Kate Green, Toffeepops.

60cm Primary Team winners, ‘Born to Ride’: Isobel Abernethy, Zara Abernethy and Molly Reid at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

Primary 70cm Individual:

1) Harry Hannaway, Hippo, Our Lady's Primary School; 2) Molly Reid, Little Me, Riverdale PS; 3) Indie Bingham, Poppy, Loanends Primary School; 4) Mia Robinson, Rock, Millington PS; 5) Eliza Burke, Blueoak Bonnie, Clare PS; 6) Sienna Doherty, Sweet Lily, The Armstrong Primary. 

Secondary 75cm Teams:

1) Friends School: Georgia Storey, Rico; Zara McConnell, Rialsa Riverdance; Emily McClelland, Creevagh Connection; Annabel McKeown, Seldom Seen Kid; 2) SHGS: Leah Lennon, Beau; Rosie Strain, Angel; Genevive Lennon, Tori; 3) Enniskillen Royal Grammar School: Lily Moore, Izzy; Imogen Heap, Chico; Tori Veitch, Ballyerk Canyon; Isabelle Wallace, Bess.

Secondary 75cm Individual:

1) Caitie McEvoy, Fred, St Francis Primary; 2) Anna Poots, Maggie, Dromore High School; 3) Elen Irwin, Belle, Cookstown High School; 4) Lucy Baird, Sprite, Banbridge Academy; 5) Caitie McEvoy, Sophia, St Francis Primary School; 6) Ava Wickie, Fizz Bomb, Lurgan Junior High School.

Caitie McEvoy riding ‘Fred’, winners of the 75cm Secondary Individual class at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

Novice Teams 85cm:

1) Banbridge High School Flyers: Kathryn Wolfe, Taking Chances; Sophia Madley, Vancouver’s Choice; Amelia Wheeler, Lisnahall Miss Toffee; Georgia Cunningham, Canadian Express; 2) Dromore High School: Zara Reid, Kingsman Dave; Isaac McCarthy, Hollywood Pippin; Izzy Irvine, Clear Water; Henry McCarthy, Ballinashallog Gold Finch; 3) Dromore High School: Eva Wright, Rathcairn Blue; Jessica Herron, Drumloghan Glen; Reannah McIlroy, Paris; Shannon Cairns, Pilgrim.

Kathryn Wolfe riding ‘Taking Chances’, part of the winning Novice Team, the Banbridge High School High Flyers at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

Novice Individuals 85cm:

1) Jack Cowan, Buddy, Lurgan College; 2) Aoife Davis, Oldtown Starling, Saintfield High School; 3) Rosie Strain, Angel, SHGS; 4) Erin Doherty, Consider It Dun, Methodist College, Belfast; 5) Penny Logan, Murphy, Ballyclare High School; 6) Leigh Graham, Pepper, Dunclug College.

Novice Individuals 85cm (University Section):

1) Catherine Cowan, Lady Remarque, University of Ulster, Coleraine; 2) Elly-Rose Dixon, Sliabh Ban Rosie, Ulster University, Belfast. 

Open Teams 1m:

1) Dromore High School: Jenna Morton, Stella; Zara Reid, Greylands Diamond Girl; Katie McKee, Darkies Boy; Taylor McKnight, Indie; 2) The Royal School Armagh – Red: Molly McConnell, Maximus; Maisie Anderson, Farhill Captain Harry; Amy Clarke, Fire Heart Flash; Peter Morton, Pearl; 3) Banbridge Academy - Waddell: Charlotte Betts, Frankie; Juliana Nelson, Timmy; Serena Brown, Pippa; Emma Baird, Rocky. 

Katie McKee riding Darkies Boy, part of the winning Open Team from Dromore High School at week one of the Inter-schools’ Series at The Meadows.

Open Individual 1m:

1) Tim Morton, Silver, Seagoe Primary School; 2) Sophia Bingham, Prada, Cambridge House; 3) Erin Doherty, Consider It Dun, Methodist College, Belfast); 4, Cayleigh Irwin Murph, Antrim Grammar School; 5) Katie Niblock, Delilah, Kilkeel High; 6) Shannon Cairns, Pilgrim, Dromore High School. 

Premier Open Individual 1.10m:

1) Peter Morton, Pearl, Royal School Armagh; 2) Pippa Moore, Scooby Bee, Wallace High School; 3) Julianna Nelson, Jim, Banbridge Academy; 4) Peter Morton, Humphrey, Royal School Armagh; 5) Cliodhna McEvoy, Juno, Newbridge Integrated College; 6) Taylor McKnight, Indie, Dromore High School.

Premier Open Individual 1.10m (University Section):

1) Mellisa McKinstry, Oxendeen Lui, Queens University.