A bright, sunny day brought the action for the 2011 Hoofprints Inter-Schools Showjumping League to a lively close in Barnadown Equestrian Complex on Sunday last. The final, organised by Gorey Community School, saw 25 teams competing for the competition on the day and also for the League title. 17 teams were accountable in the jump-off with Kilkenny College producing two clear rounds and an unbeatable time of 58.44 seconds. CBS New Ross took second place on 63.40 seconds and they were followed by Colaiste Bhride Carnew on a jump-off total of 65.59 seconds. Colaiste Bhride Carnew, League winners from last year, went to yesterday’s final 2 points ahead of old rivals, Newbridge College. Unfortunately for Newbridge, being out of the line-up on the final day cost them dearly and Colaiste Bhride Carnew were, for the second year in a row, declared the All Ireland Hoofprints League Champions. Newbridge College settled for the runner-up position, while third place was jointly claimed by Presentation College Athenry and Laurel Hill College Limerick. The final two placings were joint fifth going to Scoil Mhuire Trim and Abbey Community School Waterford.
Principal, Mr Michael Finn, from Gorey Community School thanked Hoofpronts and all who organised the day. He confirmed the importance of participation in sport and was complimentary about the equestrian expertise he had witnessed during the course of the day. Tom Doyle, Chairman of Gorey Community School Equestrian Club, thanked the League Committee – Barbara Alger, Helen O’Neill, Donal O’Beirne, Paul Cuddihy and Miriam Rickerby. He made a presentation to Clare Kinsella of Gorey Community School for work in the school club. He thanked Michael O’Connor, who judged the team competition, and Patricia and Bill Burrell, judges of the derby competition. Clare Kinsella made a presentation to Tom Doyle for his many years of commitment to the club.
The winners, Colaiste Bhride, received the perpetual Hoofprints trophy, as well as their sponsored rugs, prizes and sashes. They were also presented by John Jude Doyle, Schools & Colleges Development Officer, with a training bursary sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland. Colaiste Bhride will no doubt plan ahead for next season and use this very valuable bursary to best effect. Both second placed Newbridge College and third placed Presentation College Athenry, received training bursaries sponsored by the SLSLS committee.
The Individuals went to last year’s All Ireland Hoofprints showjumping winner, Alyssa O’Neill from Newbridge College, who takes the trophy for the third year in a row. She received a training bursary from the SLSLS committee, as well as the Hoofprints sponsored rug and sash. O’Neill’s fourth place in the Derby class on the day was enough to see off the determined challenge from runner-up, Largy Colleges Clones pupil, Kate Madden. Maria McNamara, from Presentation College Athenry, took third ahead of Taylor Cummins and Clodagh Tuite, both secondary from Scoil Mhuire Trim. Newtown’s William Hickey’s win in the Derby class on the final day was enough to secure sixth place in League. Both second and third placed individuals also received training bursaries from SLSLS.
Hoofprints in conjunction with Second Level Schools Showjumping League committee would like to invite anyone interested to an open meeting at 7pm sharp in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, on Thursday 28th April.
Overall League Results:
Hoofprints All Ireland Secondary SJ League Results 2011 – Teams:
1st Colaiste Bhride Carnew
2nd Newbridge College
=3rd Presentation College Athenry
=3rd Laurel Hill Athenry
=5th Loreto Mullingar
=5th Scoil Mhuire Trim
Hoofprints All Ireland Secondary SJ League Results 2011 – Individuals:
1st Alyssa O’Neill
2nd Kate Madden
3rd Maria McNamara
4th Taylor Cummins
5th Clodagh Tuite
6th William Hickey
Results from Barnadown Final competition:
Hoofprints All Ireland Secondary SJ League Results 2011 – Teams:
1st Kilkenny College
2nd CBS New Ross
3rd Colaiste Bhride Carnew
4th Abbey Community School
5th Gorey Community School
6th Newtown College
Hoofprints All Ireland Secondary SJ League Results 2011 – Individuals:
1st William Hickey
2nd Taylor Cummins
3rd David Furlong
4th Alyssa O’Neill
5th Alyssa O’Neill
6th Orla Furney
7th Emily Beere