FIRST of the young riders to contest the Student Living Championship in Simmonscourt was the 1.35-1.40m division, with 15 qualified combinations taking on the Tom Holden-designed course. The first clear was delivered by Harriet Cooper riding Annaghmore Small Hero and following this foot-perfect performance, just two other combinations joined her in the timed round.

First to go against the clock, Cooper answered all the questions second time out and clocked 40.47 seconds. Next-up, Max Wachman and Atlantic Du Seigneur proved out of luck when they faulted at the penultimate and the last, crossing the line in 35.86 to finish behind Cooper.

Last to go, Kayleigh Soden knew what she needed to do as she took to the track with Ard Leaderman and a clear in 40.01 saw her take the victory, leaving Cooper in second.

Ard Leaderman is an 11-year-old gelding by Luidam out of the Ard VDL Douglas-sired dam Essenar Lou La. He was formerly owned by Pat McCormack and ridden by Robert Harrison. Sodden is trained primarily by Eddie Moloney and occasionally by Paddy O’Donnell. Although in her Leaving Certificate year, she clocked up some impressive results including fourth in the Spring Tour at Coilog and sixth in the opening round of the National Grand Prix at The Meadows. She booked her place to the RDS when she finished second with Ard Leaderman at Cavan Equestrian.

Overjoyed with the win, Kayleigh’s father Charlie said: “I am delighted for her as she works so hard. He is a very reliable horse and it was a dream to win here. Now we can concentrate on the Leaving results as she hopes to study International Business in UCD.”

Jack Ryan took fourth place when he faulted at the second part of the double with Cavalier Teaca in the first round in 67.74. Hannah O’Shea and Ciao Bella also had four faults, but in a slower time of 71.37. Olivia Roulston and Erico proved out of luck when they faulted at the penultimate in the first round in 73.66 for sixth place.

1.25-1.30M

Taking place in Simmonscourt on Saturday evening, the Student Living 1.25-1.30m Young Rider Championship went down to the wire with just two double clears delivered from a 10-way jump-off. Taking the win was Robyn Moran with Colesgrove Cavalier, clear in 24.42. Owned by Eoin Glynn, the seven-year-old stallion was bred by Padraig Glynn and is by Mermus R out of the Cavalier Royale-sired dam Glinsk Molly. This combination booked their place in the RDS qualifier at Cavan when taking third.

Moran said: “It was a dream come true to win with this phenomenal little horse, he has such a big heart and is as brave as a lion. He won the six/seven-year-old Pony Championships in the RDS last year and was measured up as a small horse as I was out of ponies.”

The second clear of the class was delivered by Orla Queally and Fontanel Van T&L, just fractions behind in 27.78. Fastest of the four-faulters in 25.33 and taking third was Ciara Fives and Future Storm, ahead of Ciaran Nallon and Ballyfair Deal, who had one on the floor in 26.02. Slotting into fifth was Max Wachman and Cesha Old, with four faults in 26.31. Winner of the earlier qualifier with Zavatar, Jack Ryan also proved out of luck when crossing the line carrying four faults in 27.25.

1.10/1.15M

Last Sunday, competitors in the 1.10m/1.15m Championship were last to contest the title. Following a very exciting five-way jump-off, last to go Jodie Creighton took the title when she delivered a clear in 33.49 aboard Hylight. This combination were always ones to watch having finished second in the earlier qualifier. The seven-year-old mare is by Tyson out of the Cavalier-sired dam Wirona.

Creighton said: “It was very satisfying and rewarding to win the class as the RDS is such a major show on the calendar and it makes all work that goes into the horse daily worthwhile.

“I was last to jump and was told to go for it and enjoy it as I had nothing to lose. A big thanks has to go to my trainer Heather Coyle, sponsors TopSpec and my family and the team behind the scenes.

“We got the horse four days before the first qualifier in Cavan where she was third and qualified for the RDS. She was bought from Gerald Doherty from Derry.”

Third to go, Angela Kosko put in a gallant attempt with Happiness R, but a clear in 34.86 saw her take second. First to go, Casey Phair and Handsome set the bar high when they delivered a clear in 37.02, to take the lead and then eventual third. On form all week, Orla Queally and Nour Alain looked set for the challenge but a clear in 37.96 saw her finished in fourth. Ciaran Byrne had an unlucky four faults with Golden Puissance at the third fence, but their time of 48.49 saw them take fifth. Completing the top-six line-up was James McOwan with HHS Fort Lauderdale, who was fastest of the four-faulters in the first round in 65.41.

Young Rider title

Claiming the leading young rider title was Orla Queally after she delivered a host of results in the young rider division. The Dungarvan rider is trained by Paddy O’Donnell and has proved very consistent this year. In the qualifiers, she led the victory lap at Barnadown Equestrian with Fontanel Van T and had already claimed second place in Maryville in the 1.10m-1.15 division aboard Nour Alain. In Dublin, she finished second, third and fourth to take the title.