Waterford Riding Club have qualified for the final of the AIRC Team Show Jumping Championship Final for the very first time after they won the South East qualifier last Sunday.
The win was all the more remarkable after the team was reduced to three members after Helen Alexander (Grangefort Heather) had to pull out at the last minute.
Her team mates – Martine Nolan (Quite Content), Scott Pheasey (Cillbhrid Furzeknock Iggy) and Rachel Meaney (Leothan Able) – had no room to spare but managed to finish the first round level with Thomastown and District on zero penalties over William Kearneys course at Tinahely Riding Clubs grounds in Coolboy, Co. Wicklow.
Warrington, Thomastown and District, and two teams from Tinahely were following on 4 penalties.
After the second round of jumping, Waterford were out in front and secured their place at the Dublin Horse Show while 3 teams were level for second place leaving the time of their second round to decide the placings.
The Warrington team of David Ryan (Lawnview Diamond), Ashlee McGuinness (J Picasso De Maibelle), Niamh Walsh (Amaretto Flight), and Jacqueline Murphy (DHF Xanadu) claimed the runners-up spot after their time pushed them ahead of two Thomastown and District teams in third and fourth respectively.
The Warrington team now progresses to the wildcard qualifier at the AIRC Riding Clubs Festival later this month.
Tinahely took home the pink rosettes in fifth place on 8 penalties while another Warrington completed the top six with a 12-penalty tally.