IT’S A WRAP: TRI Equestrian Ulster Region Spring Pony Tour!
Pony competitors brave the elements for league finale
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Show Jumping Ireland, Ulster Region Pony Committee would like to thank all the athletes and their back up teams, who braved the very inclement weather on Sunday, June 23 at The Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan, to compete in the TRI Equestrian Ulster Region Spring Pony Tour Final 2023. As always, this league proved very popular with competitors and was eagerly contested up to the last, with these young athletes keen to get a podium finish!
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Stakes were high, with the very generous sponsorship of £5,500 from TRI Equestrian, who provided fabulous rugs for all the winners and an inordinate amount of TRI vouchers. The Ulster Region Committee also provided £4,300 in prize money and the top placings earned the athletes a place in the Ulster Squad for the All-Ireland Interprovincial Finals. A spending spree ensued, as the young athletes seemed to come down from the podium and make a beeline for the onsite TRI Equestrian store.
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Aldyth Roulston, Ulster Region Pony Representative, said: "Thanks must go to TRI Equestrian for their continued sponsorship, I think that they have been supporting our SJI Ulster Region Spring and Autumn Pony Tours for about eight years, we really are totally indebted to TRI and Gareth McCombe, the TRI Equestrian Manager."
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Gareth McCombe stated: "It has been great to see how the league has grown over those eight years, and continues to have a fantastic following across so many top class venues all over the Ulster Region. At TRI Equestrian, we love to give back to the sport, we really feel the TRI League provides a great platform for our athletes and animals alike to develop throughout the year, giving them the chance to compete at some of the best venues the country has to offer."
Gareth finished by saying: "We hope you all had a fantastic Spring Tour and look forward to seeing you all for the TRI Equestrian Autumn Tour in the next few months."
An enthusiastic Gareth McCombe and TRI representative John Rymer braved the elements to carry out the TRI League presentations on the day. A big shout out goes to the Meadows Equestrian Centre for ensuring the smooth running of the show, with excellent courses and super jumping.
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The ‘up and coming’ stars who compete in the 128 50cm and 60cm classes had all to fight for on the day, with 13 combinations on top points in the 50cm and 16 combinations in the 60cm. As these two classes are judged using ‘optimum time’, it is essential that the children ride a smooth and controlled round and earn the valuable points to secure their league placings. All other classes are decided by time in the second round.
Cooper McManus on ‘Mr Barney B’ rode a great round to win the 128 50cm, just ahead of Jack Bell on ‘Muskerry Crusader’, with Miley Rouke on ‘Super Cinnamon’ taking the final podium spot. In the 128 60cm final, Jack Bell improved on his previous position by taking top spot, Liam Kelly took second place on ‘Crindle Electric Blue’, with Miley Rouke taking third place yet again with ‘Super Cinnamon’.
Tim Morton, who recently turned six years old, was the main man of the 128 70cm, winning on the day and he also stood at the head of the league with his pony ‘Aghaderg Stepping Delight’; he was quite the star when he donned his sash and climbed onto the winner’s podium for the presentation. Liam Kelly featured again on the consistent ‘Crindle Electric Blue’ and was placed second in the league, while Medb Kinney on ‘Sparkling Irish Whiskey’ slotted into third spot. Anna Rose Garrity on ‘Rosegate Mayfly’ rode a blistering speed round in 22.58 seconds to take the win in the 128 80cm and the points gained ensured that she was the outright winner of the league. Wren Hanratty on ‘Goldengrove Fantasy’ (23.24) made a good attempt and was the closest time to Anna Rose to pick up second place on the day and in the league. Katie McDonald on ‘Ballyroe Prince William’ was another consistent combination throughout the league, and she came third on the day and got the final place on the podium for the league placings.
Megan Hannaway from Armagh had a great day and won both the 128 U10 and 90cm leagues. Megan has had a super league and returned home laden with prizes. Bobby O’Keefe was runner-up in the U10s, with Caitie McEvoy taking third. Eunan Kelly was second in the 90cm final and second in league. Ellie Bingham rose to the occasion and took the win aboard ‘One in the Making’, which meant third place in the league. Juliana Nelson, Eunan Kelly and James Mellett came in on the pole positions to the final and their performances meant that they stayed there with a little reshuffling for the end result; Eunan Kelly (first), Juliana Nelson (second) and James Mellett (third).
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The 138 80cm class has proved popular and five combinations started the day on equal points. It was the first time for many of these ponies to be asked to go against the clock and it was Eabha Brennan on ‘Millfields Kilnascully’ who posted the winning time and consequentially was winner of the league. Katie McDonald on ‘Two Socks’ jumped a nice round to take second in the class and league, while Medb Kinney was third fastest and took the final podium place. Eabha contined her winning ways and did the double, winning the 138 90cm with the fastest time aboard ‘Millfields Kilnascully’ and adding another League sash to her prize haul. Clodagh Callaghan on ‘Derryvale Gale’ was second in the final and second in the league, while Rebecca Coulter on ‘Sam’s Secret’ followed her into third place in both the final and league placings.
The 138 metre class was dominated by a strong group of girls, with Abbie Rose McGeady heading the leaderboard and her second spot on the day was enough for her to claim the 138 metre championship and top spot on the podium. Clodagh Callaghan held onto second place in the league and Medb Kinney on ‘Sparkling Taylor Maid’ was third, after gaining extra points in the final class.
Johan Fitzpatrick Burns and ‘Sergant Jack’ won the 138 1.10m Tour, having entered the final day in an unbeatable position on the leaderboard. Johan finished on an amazing score of 59 points out of a possible 60! Caitlin Kelly, aboard the pocket rocket, ‘Future Memories’, won the class and moved up the rankings to take second place on the podium, with Abbie Rose McGeady mounting the winners podium again, to take third spot in the league.
Producing young ponies is very important for the sport and it was pleasing to see some new talent appearing in the 148 classes. New SJI pony member, Kayla O’Donnell and her pony ‘My Mucker Man’ led the way to finish on top spot in the 148 80cm and fourth in the 148 90cm, a great start for this new talent. Lexie Maguire on her grey mount, ‘Garvagh Silver Knight’ came second and Tara Brennan on ‘Pallas Lad’ came third in the 148 80cm league.
Eenna Hamilton and Hannah Thompson both entered the 148 90cm final on equal points, with Evanne Coyle close on their case, which meant the placings on the day were vital. It was Brooke Morrow on Pat Cavanagh’s smashing grey ‘Brackhoney Blossom’ that took the win on the day and Lily Beatty on ‘Newtown Melody’ came second, which meant tense waiting while points were calculated to decide on the league placings. Consistency won out and the ever-competitive Eenna Hamilton (‘Ain’t It So Annie’) reigned supreme and collected the rug and sash as the 148 90cm champion and top podium finish. Hannah Thompson and ‘RMA Silver Dollar’ finished the league as reserve champion, leaving the final podium finish for Evanne Coyle and ‘Grainmor Princess’.
There was a tight line up for the 148 metre class, with Caitlin Rafferty and Ted Gibson both on 54 points and Alana Doherty and Tilley Tumilty both on 51 points, so it was all to play for. Peter Morton threw a spanner in the works by claiming the victory on the day aboard the family favourite, ‘Tynan Bo-Bo Bear’. Then, Zara Jane Kelly further scattered the points by coming second on the dun five-year-old, ‘Castlehill Cheeky Boy’. After close scrutiny and redistributing of points, it was podium finishes for Caitlin Rafferty (first) on ‘Derrynoose Lady’, Ted Gibson (second) on ‘Glenarousk Flash Bandit’ and Alana Doherty (third) on ‘Dunard Cinderella’.
Sophia Bingham was a force to be reckoned with in the remaining 148 classes and she rode with style and accuracy to take wins in both the 1.10m (‘Dowdstown Vic’) and the 1.20m (‘Morepark Alamo’). Sophia was also second in the 1.10m on ‘Morepark Alamo’. Congratulations to Sophia on winning both the 148 1.10m and 148 1.20m TRI Spring League Finals! Niamh Devlin collected second place in the 1.10m league and Eenna Hamilton returned to the podium again to collect third place. Johan Fitzpatrick Burns was the winner of the 148 Six/ Seven-year-old section, with Caitlin Rafferty second and Sophia Bingham third. Rianna Mulligan and Sophia Bingham had battled it out throughout the league, and they came into the final 148 1.20m class head to head. It was a great class to watch, and some super jumping took place. Connie McFadden was foot-perfect on her grey pony ‘Infinity’ and was quick enough to take fourth place. However, it was Sophia Bingham on the nippy ‘Morepark Alamo’ who posted the fastest time and claimed the top prizes. Rianna Mulligan on ‘Highlandy Rebel’ stepped up to second position on the podium and Zara Jane Kelly was the final athlete on the podium.
The penultimate class of the day was the COH/JNR 1m, which saw some familiar faces in the line-up and later on the podium. Taylor McKnight and Tara Brennan entered on equal points and then jumped into first and second respectively, meaning that Taylor won the league with Tara in second place. Rianna Mulligan appeared on the podium in third place, having secured valuable points in the jump off.
The final class of the day did not disappoint. Zoe Mellett entered the day in the enviable position of knowing that she could not be beaten for the COH/ JNR 1.10m/1.20m league win. Niamh Devlin on her bay gelding ‘Ardragh Cordubh’ romped home in an incredible 29.67 seconds, with Adam Adair closest to her time aboard ‘Beach Boy’ in 37.61', which meant Adam came second in the league.
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RESULTS
Sunday, July 23
Ulster Region Spring Pony Tour Final 2023
128 50cm:
1) Megan Burns, Missy Rose; 2) Megan Burns, Nantforcog Blue Moon Lady; 3) Cooper, My Mr Barney B; 4) Mark Brown, Derrylangen Sparrow; 5) Lacey McLaughlin, Kilmaconnell Snowbird; 6) Mark Bell, Muskerry Crusader.
128 60cm:
1) Jack Bell, Muskerry Crusader; 2) Liam Kelly, Crindle Electric Blue; 3) Megan Burns, Nantforcog Blue Moon Lady; 4) Lilah Boyce, Orchard Mr Tumbles; 5) Nuala Ardbuckle, Serge; 6) Miley Rouke, Super Cinnamon.
128 70cm:
1) Tim Morton, Aghaderg Stepping Delight; 2) Mebh Kinney, Priah; 3) Liam Kelly, Crindle Electric Blue; 4) Mebh Kinney, Sparkling Irish Whiskey; 5) Lily McBride, Chaple Lane Trigger; 6) Cliodhna McEvoy, KHS Dovizioso.
128 80cm:
1) Anna Rose Garrity, Rosegate Mayfly; 2) Wren Hanratty, Goldengrove Fantasy; 3) Katie McDonald, Ballyroe Prince William; 4) Tim Morton, Aghaderg Stepping Delight; 5) Mebh Kinney, Priah; 6) Lacey McLaughlin, CS Galieo.
128 85cm:
1) Megan Hannaway, Lucky Number; 2) Anna Rose Garrity, Rosegate Mayfly; 3) Katie McDonald, Ballyroe Prince William; 4) Tim Morton, Aghaderg Stepping Delight; 5) Caitie McEvoy, Tynan Petal; 6) Tim Morton, Tuscan Star.
128 90cm:
1) Ellie Bingham, One in the Making; 2) Eunan Kelly, Sparkling Miss Leglands; 3) Cliodhna McEvoy, Tynan Tutle Pip; 4) Megan Hannaway, Lucky Number; 5) Alicia Kernan, Avas Ruby; 6) Serena Brown, Maximilo.
128 1m:
1) Alicia Kernan, Avas Ruby; 2) Eunan Kelly, Tynwydd Alun; 3) Chloe Clarke, Uquam d’Emery; 4) Charlotte Nelson, Reggie Spartacus; 5) Juliana Nelson, Cumbak Kid; 6) Mebh Kinney, Leiiaish Lady Penelope.
138 80cm:
1) Eabha Brennan, Millfields Kilnascully; 2) Katie McDonald, Two Socks; 3) Mebh Kinney, Tyrellspass Louis; 4) Hannah McCombe, Monky Madness; 5) Kayla O’Donnell, Pretty One; 6) Ella Rose Sands, Cleggan Cyrss.
138 90cm:
1) Eabha Brennan, Millfields Kilnascully; 2) Clodagh Callaghan, Derryvane Gale; 3) Rebecca Coulter, Sam’s Secret; 4) Mebh Kinney, Tyrellspass Louis; 5) Katie McDonald, Two Socks; 6) Megan Rouke, Crosskeys Beauty.
138 1m:
1) Zoe Mellett, Fredaine de Blonde; 2) Abbie Rose McGeady, Tonabrocky Timmy; 3) Ellie Bingham, Little Pretender; 4) Mebh Kinney, Sparkling Taylor Maid; 5) Sara Margey, Sparkling Kiowa Moon; 6) Kaitlin McCrory, Birchill All Star.
138 1.10m:
1) Caitlin Kelly, Future Memories; 2) Johan Fitzpatrick Burns, Sergant Jack; 3) Elizabeth McCracken, Drumcaughey Diamond; 4) Ellie Bingham, Little Pretender; 5) Caitlin Kelly, Lurganmore Little Rocket; 6) Sara Margey, Sparkling Kiowa Moon.
148 80cm:
1) Brianna McGuigan, Butter Cup II; 2) Kayla O’Donnell, My Mucker Man; 3) Tara Brennan, Pallas Lad; 4) Lexie Maguire, Garvagh Silver Knight; 5) Orla Nesbitt, SJ Caledonia; 6) Lily Beatty, Newtown Melody.
148 90cm:
1) Brooke Morrow, Brackhowney Blossom; 2) Lily Beatty, Newtown Melody; 3) Sophie Sloan, Irish Lassie; 4) Eenna Hamilton, Aint it So Annie; 5) Olivia McCrea, Sparkling Moores Dantean; 6) Lily Tunney, Gal-Way Girl.
148 1m:
1) Peter Morton, BoBo Bear; 2) Zara-Jane Kelly, Castlehill Cheeky Boy; 3) Caitlin Rafferty, Derrynoose Lady; 4) Alana Doherty, Dunard Cinderella; 5) Niamh Devlin, Hillfield Bay; 6) Mischa Lennon, Reekamp’s Silvano.
148 1.10m:
1) Sophia Bingham, Dowdstown Vic; 2) Sophia Bingham, Morepark Alamo; 3) Johan Fitzpatrick Burns, Kinamara Dun Boy; 4) Connie McFadden, Infinity; 5) Tilley Tumilty, Millbarr Phynix; 6) Eenna Hamilton, Swinford Lass.
148 1.20m:
1) Sophia Bingham, Morepark Alamo; 2) Alex McMaster, Aghalaan Brexit; 3) Charlotte McCracken, Charlton Supreme; 4) Connie McFadden, Infinity; 5) Kym Moore, Drumcashel Little Legend; 6) Adam Adair, Mulvin Blazer.
COH/JNR 1m:
1) Taylor McKnight, Tassagh Sky Doctor; 2) Tara Brennan, Carnone Annabelle; 3) Niamh Devlin, Ardagh Cordubh; 4) Katie Campbell, Half Hector; 5) Hannah Thompson, Neat Regina; 6) Rianna Mulligan, Morene.
COH /JNR 1.10/1.20m:
1) Niamh Devlin, Ardragh Cordubh; 2) Adam Adair, Beach Toy; 3) Hannah Thompson, Neat Regina; 4) Katie Campbell, Half Hector; 5) Tara Brennan, Carnone Annabelle; 6) Rianna Mulligan, Morene.
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TRI Equestrian Pony Spring League Results
128 50cm:
1) Cooper McManus; 2) Jack Bell; 3) Miley Rouke; 4) Harry Kelly; 5) Alyssa Smith; 6) Georgia Bingham; 7) Rory McBride; 8) Jack Bell.
128 60cm:
1) Jack Bell; 2) Liam Kelly; 3) Miley Rouke; 4) Georgia Bingham; 5) Harry Kelly; 6) Cooper McManus; 7) Tim Morton; 8) Lily McBride.
128 70cm:
1) Tim Morton; 2) Liam Kelly; 3) Medb Kinney; 4) Kacie Maguire; 5) Ellie Baxter; 6) Winter McGinley; 7) Nuala Ardbuckle; 8) Harry Kelly.
128 80cm:
1) Anna Rose Garrity; 2) Wren Hanratty; 3) Katie McDonald; 4) Tim Morton; 5) Indie Bingham; 6) CJ O’Brien; 7) Anna Rose Garrity; 8) Lacey McLaughlin.
128 85cm U10:
1) Megan Hannaway; 2) Bobby O’Keefe; 3) Caitie McEvoy; 4) Kaitie McDonald; 5) Rose Garrity; 6) CJ O’Brien; 7) Tim Morton; 8) Alicia Kernan.
128 90cm:
1) Megan Hannaway; 2) Eunan Kelly; 3) Ellie Bingham; 4) Serena Brown; 5) James Mellett; 6) Lacey McLaughlin; 7) Alicia Kernan; 8) Cliodhna McEvoy.
128 1m:
1) Eunan Kelly; 2) Juliana Nelson; 3) James Mellett; 4) Cliodhna McEvoy; 5) Ellie Bingham; 6) Charlotte Nelson; 7) Alicia Kernan; 8) Medb Kinney.
138 80cm:
1) Eabha Brennan; 2) Katie McDonald; 3) Medb Kinney; 4) Kayla O’Donnell; 5) Megan Rouke; 6) Hannah MacCombe, Funston; 7) Ella Rose Sands; 8) Sarah Pike.
138 90cm:
1) Eabha Brennan; 2) Clodagh Callaghan; 3) Rebecca Coulter; 4) Katie McDonald; 5) Adam Adair; 6) Medb Kinney; 7) Ella Rose Sands; 8) Medb Kinney.
138 1m:
1) Abbie Rose McGeady; 2) Clodagh Callahan; 3) Medb Kinney; 4) Zoe Mellet; 5) Sara Margey; 6) Rebecca Coulter; 7) Adam Adair; 8) Darragh Coyle.
138 1.10m:
1) Johan Fitzpatrick Burns; 2) Caitlin Kelly; 3) Abbie Rose McGeady; 4) Sara Margey; 5) Zoe Mellett; 6) Elizabeth McCracken; 7) Ellie Bingham.
148 80cm:
1) Kayla O’Donnell; 2) Lexie Maguire; 3) Tara Brennan; 4) Brianna McGuigan; 5) Orla Nesbitt; 6) Carraig McLarnon; 7) Lily Beatty; 8) Blaithin Boyle.
148 90cm:
1) Eenna Hamilton; 2) Hannah Thompson; 3) Evanne Coyle; 4) Kayla O’Donnell; 5) Zara-Jane Kelly; 6) Sophia Bingham; 7) Sarah Coyle; 8) Lexie Maguire.
148 1m:
1) Caitlin Rafferty; 2) Ted Gibson; 3) Alana Doherty; 4) Tilley Tumilty; 5) Misha Lennon; 6) Brooke Morrow; 7) Niamh Devlin; 8) Orla Nesbitt.
148 1.10m:
1) Sophia Bingham; 2) Niamh Devlin; 3) Eenna Hamilton; 4) Ted Gibson; 5) Rianna Mulligan; 6) Caitlin Rafferty; 7) Johan Fitzpatrick Burns; 8) Peter Morton.
148 6/7yr old:
1) Johan Fitzpatrick Burns; 2) Caitlin Rafferty; 3) Sophia Bingham; 4) Alana Devlin; 5) Niamh Devlin; 6) Alex McMaster; 7) Amy Coleman; 8) Adam Adair.
148 1.20m:
1) Sophia Bingham; 2) Rianna Mulligan; 3) Zara Jane Kelly; 4) Alex McMaster; 5) Connie McFadden; 6) Charlotte McCracken; 7) Kym Moore; 8) Katie Campbell.
COH/Jnr 1m:
1) Taylor McKnight; 2) Tara Brennan; 3) Rianna Mulligan; 4) Eimer Farrell; 5) Hannah Thompson; 6) Niamh Devlin; 7) Katie Campbell.
COH/1.10m/1.20m:
1) Zoe Mellett; 2) Alfie Adair.
Junior 1.10m/1.20m:
1) Taylor McKnight; 2) Tara Brennan; 3) Rianna Mulligan; 4) Eimear Farrell; 5) Niamh Devlin; 6) Katie Campbell; 7) Hannah Thompson.