WITHOUT a doubt, amateur riders were most affected by the Covid-19 restrictions and for many, there was little time spent in the ring before the RDS qualifiers were hosted. However, despite this delay, the standard at the four amateur RDS qualifiers proved extremely high.

In the first round at Ballinamona, 100 combinations took on the Tommy Gibbons- designed course. Claiming the win was A rider Leonie Dunne with Cavalino 26. Owned by Dunne, the 13-year-old German-bred gelding is by Converter out of Fur Sie. This combination was on a roll over the course of that weekend as they also went on to take the Horseware Ladies League.

Dunne certainly put in a blistering round, so much so that the next combination of Caitlin Duffy and the Cathal Mc Munn-owned Jockeyhall Midas Touch were almost six seconds slower for second place. Taking third was Kilkenny’s Marie Hartley with Nikita Vab Het Heidebhof. Hartley has a string of strong results to her name. In her preparation for the RDS, she took the win in the Amateur Tour and the Irish Farmers Journal round at Inistioge and also took second place at Raheen Na Gun in the 1.15m class.

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Former winner at the RDS in the amateur ranks, Lusk’s Paul Carroll will be making his return with Kabran De Reve Z and will certainly be going all out to repeat that performance. This Kannan-sired gelding has plenty of experience having been campaigned by John Floody. The experience of both horse and rider should stand to them next weekend in Ballsbridge.

In the qualifying round at Tipperary Equestrian, some 114 combinations battled it out for their tickets to the RDS National Championships. Taking victory was AA rider Katie Frazer, with the ever-reliable Keylogues Gold. Keylogues Gold has tasted RDS success having finished second there in 2017 under the command of Amy Walsh and also previously qualified with Frazer in 2016 and 2014.

Also securing her RDS place was Marie Cosgrove and Killuppaun Magic. This combination has certainly delivered the results of late, with a series of placings at the Cavan Amateur Show in July and in the Martin Flesk Amateur league.

A familiar face in the winner’s enclosure, (A) rider Gillian Blanche booked her place after finishing third with Bellegrove Prima Donna. Blanche who qualified five years in succession (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019), will no doubt be looking for the victory on this occasion.

Wicklow rider Aine Dagg (A) is one to keep a close eye on after she booked her slot with Rock View Light. This combination showed their determination when they were recently placed in the six-bar at the inaugural Kilfarrasy show, Co Waterford.

Strong rivals

Paul Tarpey (AA) landed the win in the RDS Amateur qualifier at Galway Equestrian aboard She Lux Quality. Owned by his partner Aisling Donoghue, She Lux Quality is well up for the task as is Tarpey who has previously competed at the RDS.

Roscommon’s Tara Brandon is another who is up for the RDS challenge with the Gabriel Slattery-owned Ice Cream VDT, when finishing second to Tarpey. This is a new charge for Brandon but she certainly won’t be fazed by that.

Aideen Kirby and Derg Masterpiece will also be looking for a title having booked their spot. This combination are no strangers to success in Ballsbridge. Amongst their good results were Derg Masterpiece winning the Small Event Horse Champion in the RDS in 2017, the Working Hunter winner RDS 2017 and the Amateur Showjumping Championship in the RDS in 2018.

Support

Kildare’s Kyle McLaughlin will have plenty of support while taking it on with Carrenroe Limited Edition. Kyle took over the ride from the Murphy family in 2019 after he competed in the RDS with Michael Murphy.

Meath’s (A) Kevin O’Reilly and Furore S demonstrated what they could do when they booked their place with a win in the final qualifier at Ravensdale Lodge. This combination is certainly on form and ready for the RDS having claimed the win in the amateur class at the Mullingar Premier Grand Prix show.

AA rider Michael Floody and the Indoctro-sired gelding Indella could be real contenders after they secured their ticket at Ravensdale. One new combination to watch out for is Eline De Vries and Euro Dollar. This combination is new to the circuit having only begun campaigning in February, but already they have shown plenty of scope.