Two teams travelled to Mullingar today (Sunday 17th April) for the final leg of the www.equestrianinterschools.com showjumping league….and WOW what a day it turned out to be!
Going into the final today we were lying in 4th place, with 44 of a possible 50 points accumulated over the season. With points and a half on offer today all was to play for. 23 teams entered. However, an extremely technical course built to maximum height soon sorted out a lot of teams with only two schools finishing the two rounds on 0 faults; presentation Athenry/Tuam and Maynooth secondary. 7 schools, scoring 4 faults after the two rounds, also went through to a jump off for 3rd -6th placings; including Coláiste Bhríde (Blue team).
2 riders were nominated to jump off for each team. It was a very tense jump off that saw a number of schools accumulate faults. Julie Mullins and Emer Kavanagh, representing the CB team, produced fabulous rounds of jumping in great times and secured CB 4th position on the day.
The excitement then turned to the league placings. On a quick analysis amongst each other it looked like today’s 4th placing had moved us to 2nd in the league. We waited patiently to be called forward for our second placing presentation but, after officials had completed their calculations, we were called forward as champions for 2016! A major achievement! Competing for CB today were:
Coláiste Bhríde yellow team; Christine Byrne, Tara Kinsella, Ellen Kavanagh. Coláiste Bhríde Blue team;
Conor Wafer, Caitroin Doyle, Julie Mullins, Emer Kavanagh.
Results from the final leg of the league:
1st Presentation Tuam/Athenry
2nd Maynooth secondary
3rd Mercy Kilbeggan
4th Coláiste Bhríde Carnew (Blue)
5th Wesley College
6th Newbridge Integrated
7th Newbridge
8th Gorey CS
Overall League results 2016:
Open teams League results
1st: Coláiste Bhríde (score:53 points)
2nd: Newbridge (score:52 points)
3rd: Wesley college (score:52 points)
4th. Gorey CS (score:45 points)
5th. Maynooth secondary (score:41 points)
6th. Presentation Athenry (score:35 points)
Best turned out league results
Joint 1st: Borris CC /Newbridge College
Two of the CB riders waited for the 1m individual class which took place after the open teams competition had finished. This class was against the clock so a fast clear was required. The two first year riders, Conor Wafer and Caitroin Doyle, certainly didn’t hang around! Their quick times saw them take 3rd and 4th respectively. A massive achievement for two first year riders on small ponies competing against older riders and bigger horses.
All riders were ably assisted and supported by their coach, Michael Byrne, on the day.
Well done to all equestrian students who have competed throughout the year. All points achieved through the the season are carried forward to the final, so it really was a true equestrian club team effort/victory.
