Castle Hill are through to the AIRC Team Jumping Championship Final at the Dublin Horse in August after a three-way jump-off last Sunday.

12 teams representing 9 clubs contested the North East qualifier at Ravensdale Lodge Equestrian Centre, Co. Louth.

Five teams – Border Counties, Boyneside, Gap of the North and two teams from Castle Hill –

were level after the opening round of jumping but was reduced further after the two rounds were completed with Boyneside and a team from Castle Hill dropping out of contention.

A three-way jump-off ensued with the Castle Hill team captained by Niamh Murphy returning with the only clean sheet over the shortened track in a time of 44.99 on Railings Hopeful Scope to secure the place for the Castle Hill Team.

Gap of the North laid claim to the runners-up spot after Tom Hogan (Limmerick Jewel) was next best with 4 penalties in a time of 34.71 ahead of Amy Smyth (Smyths Something Special) who had a fence down in 34.00.

The Castle Hill team of Susan O’Connor (Miss Nonstop), Niamh McCann (Corca Baskin), Katie McGrane (Carraigahulla Camiro Z) and Niamh Murphy (Railings Hopeful Scope) will contest the final in August.

Gap of the North will have a second chance at the next months AIRC Riding Clubs Festival where Eamon McGuirk (Friar Walk), Patrick Murphy (Lismon De Reve Cream), Kate Kenwright (Templemaley Captain) and Tom Hogan (Limmerick Jewel) will go forward to the wild card qualifier.