Munster Express Online

Fifteen teams from the south-east region battled it out at the Woodstown Riding Club team showjumping event at Ballinamona, Co. Waterford, last Sunday.

Teams, made up of 3 riders from primary, advanced primary and intermediate level, were run American style over a good track set by Joe Murphy, which caused a number of faults for most competitors across the board.

The best two scores from each team were counted and only three teams got through to the final jump-off: the Waterford Riding Club team of Paul Jordan, Emma Stephenson and Lisa Hayes (who were the only team to post 3 double clear rounds collectively as a team); the Deise team, Helen O’Byrne, Charles Acheson and Amy McLoughlin; and Warrington Blacks, Eugene McSweeney, Maire Callan and Ned Murphy. Lisa Hayes had the task to set the pace for the Waterfords, but accrued time penalties after missing a turn into fence 6 and a pole on the floor for 13 faults. Eugene O’Sullivan was up next but a pole on the floor in a time of 41.59, meant Warrington Blacks had to settle for second spot as Helen O’Byrne and Charleville Lad scorched around the course clear in 40.53, putting the Deise team into the winning frame and lifting the coveted trophy and beautiful rugs for prizes.

The Spring Jumping League continues at Ballinamona Equestrian Centre on Thursday evenings, starting with primary heights at 7.00pm.