Our Lady’s Bower equestrian team participated in the National Interschool’s Show jumping Competition in Mullingar Equestrian Center 20th October 2012.The Bower was well represented by putting four teams forward under the supervision of Mrs. Cathy Cuffe, Chef D’Equipe.On the day 58 teams of four participated in the competitions. There were two competition heights, Open show jumping and Novice showjumping. The Bower had one Open Team consisting of Aoife Cuffe, Maeve Cuffe, Stephanie Igoe and Rachel Hanley. All team members rode in the large sand arena (sand 1) and both Aoife Cuffe and Stephanie Igoe had lovely double clear rounds, which were loudly applauded. The younger members of the team Maeve Cuffe and Rachel Hanley rode very well but in the end the team incurred four faults when one pole hit the ground. This sealed their fate and they will have to try again next year.
The Bower then had three teams in the novice competition. The Bower Purple team consisting of Slaine Hynes, Megan Tumulty, Ella Kane and Maeve Cuffe. The Bower Red Team, Aisling Walsh, Drew Feery, Kasey O‘Neill and Rachel Hanley and The Bower Mixed Team Sophie Lowe, Emma Kennedy and as we were short two we added two boys from other schools, Andrew Kennedy and Daniel Carroll.
All three teams got through to the second round to the jump off and the Bower Purple Team were just pipped at the post into second place. This was a brilliant achievement from the girls and Slaine Hynes and Ella Kane did their team proud both in the jump off and in the professional turn out of their ponies. The Bower mixed team came a respectable fourth and the Bower Red team came seventh. All novice teams came home with an array of prizes including fabulous trophies, hoodies, medals, rosettes, numnahs and socks.
Also on the day there was individual rounds of show jumping and again the Bower were present in the final line up with Drew Feery coming 6th.
Finally well done to everyone who put themselves forward for the Interschool’s competition. Most of all everyone enjoyed the day and the additional funding from the Bower towards entries really helped. I hope you enjoy the photographs (see photo gallery) and appreciate the commitment and level of work that the girls put into their equestrian passion.
