Thursday 10th April, 2025
On Thursday 10th April, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School supported the inaugural St Oliver Plunkett PS, Beragh,Interschools Show. With well over 300 entries into the various events, it was set to be a long day as the running order led us to believe the night before, when it was posted.
We started with the 50cm event and a new rider to our team – Anna Johnston and her pony Ria. The duo had a great round producing a double clear. Anna has only been jumping for a few months, so this is a fabulous achievement. Due to the times changing, her ride was an hour earlier than scheduled. Good job she was there early!
The next event for ERGS was the 65-75cm Team. Originally, we had only 3 members of the team, but we were able to make a last-minute addition to give us 4. This class was being used to give some of our riders a chance to get used to new ponies, so very much being used as a learning experience. Again though, it was a bit rushed as we were now running 2 hours ahead of schedule! Tori Veitch and Shannagh went first, jumping well. The pair looked quite comfortable and came away with just on fence down. Next in was Chloe Cathcart riding Aria. This was not her own horse, however, to look at the pair together, you would never have realized! They rode well with also, only one fence down. Isabelle Wallace and Georgie were in next. This was the pair’s first show and Georgie’s first visit to Fintona. Again, a lovely round for this pairing – with two fences down. Finally, the extra rider, Molly Lee on George. Not used to the lower heights now, George had one fence down in an otherwise clear round. Excellent jumping for these new combinations.
Our next event was the 85-95cm. In what was becoming a pattern, this event also started much earlier (despite an effort to delay the start to allow riders to get to the show). Fortunately, technology is wonderful and lots of messages and calls were made to try to get out team there in time. Thankfully, it all worked out bar one, but we were able to make a substation to remedy this!
First into the Arena were Sophie McCann and Molly. A very determined Sophie made sure that she and Molly got round the course. There were no fences down, but there were 2 refusals in each phase resulting in a few faults. 2nd in were Imogen Heap and Chico. These two were raring to go and were positively zooming around the course, we thought it was going to be a double clear, but… the last fence was just clipped, and the pole fell. 3rd to go were Alice Black and Cureel’s Shadow. These two were looking quite comfortable as they made their way round the course. Unfortunately, there were a few poles off with hooves just clipping them. Despite that, a steady round. Last to enter the arena were Molly Lee and George again. After a little warm-up earlier, George took the course in his stride and had a fabulous round. A double clear in a super time. So… due to only having one clear round, we didn’t expect to get placed. Unbeknownst to us,however, was the fact that only one team got round with no faults. We were placed 2nd due to our combined speed from the fastest 3 riders. Rosettes and a wee bag of Bluefrog dust free flakes for the ponies! What more could you ask for!
Indeed – what more! Well, we did ask, and we did get! Molly Lee and Boomerang were originally entered as part of the 1m team. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the team (for us) didn’t happen, so Molly rode in the 1m Individuals. I watched as the duo sailed round the course in an excellent double clear. In doing so, and with her speedy time, she managed to be placed 6th in this event. A wonderful end to a fabulous day. Beginning and ending with a double clear!
Congratulations girls – you all rode superbly today. Thanks to all parents ( and Grandparents) and trainers who helped with the girls and horses today.
