THE road to the Dublin Horse Show kicked off at the Meadows this May and as expected there was intense competition in each division, which set the tone for the remainder of the qualifiers.

From The Meadows to Barnadown, experienced combinations and rising stars alike demonstrated that they are ready for the five-star Dublin Horse Show.

128CM

Ben O’ Connor will be making his returned the RDS having put in a great performance at the first round in the Meadows. The Co Meath rider claimed victory with The Million Dollar Baby, delivering the only triple clear. With Million Dollar Baby finishing fifth in the Championship last year under the guidance of Katelyn Horan, O’Connor will be eager to better this performance. O’ Connor will also be in the action in the 138cm division, having qualified Solea.

A notable challenge came from Hannah Horan and she will be one to watch as she bettered Ben’s time with Nearly Perfect but dropped a pole. The pair finished third in the main arena in 2024. Another impressive performance in this round was Josh Fitzgerald who took sixth place with the five-year-old stallion Creevelea Midnight Radar. The pairing recently went on to finish third in the Masters Speed class at Mullingar CSI2*

Another standout result came in the six/seven-year-old class from Georgia Foley aboard Seamus Daly’s six-year-old Carlton Abi and they will be ones to watch having claimed the win on a score of 72.25.

Cavan played host to the second round and again there was an excellent display of riding in all divisions. It was decided over three rounds with five triple clears being delivered. Among the front-runners was Kilkenny’s Annie Hughes Kennedy with He’s A Touch Of Magic, fresh off a strong result in the Mullingar CSI2* Masters Speed Class. Second place finisher in the qualifier and ones to watch was Lily Lennon and Woodside Jerry-Lee, as well as Lily Russell and Cool as Ice.

The Clarke family themselves have plenty of experience when it comes to the RDS and they will provide much guidance to Chloe Clarke who finished sixth with Brandon Reepicheep. The combination finished second on the leaderboard in the 128cm Equijump Spring Tour. In the young pony class, 40 combinations battled it out for a ticket and the marks were in line with the marks allotted in the first round at the Meadows. Taking the win was Leila Coleman aboard the six-year-old Menai Booster on a score of 78.5.

Some very experience combinations booked their place to the RDS at the third qualifier in Ard Chuain. Taking the win was Matthew Roche and Paddington Pal. He was chased home by Harvey Oscar Foley aboard Desdemone Du Marquais for second.

No stranger to the RDS, Blathnaid Murphy booked her place with Kiltormer Ruby, as did Jennifer Meagher who is riding the very experienced 20-year-old Little Miss Big Time.

Winner of the 128cm six and seven-year-olds and ones to watch was Munster rider Saoirse Barry and Renaissance Racinda when they were awarded the winning score of 73.5.

The Barnadown qualifier, run over two rounds, saw nine double clears. Fastest among them was Caitie McEvoy riding the seasoned 18-year-old Tynnan Tuttle Pip. Their combined experience makes them serious contenders heading into the RDS.

Just fractions behind were Brian Chow Hannan and Burnham Mist, who have shown super consistency in the lead-up to the qualifiers. Khloe McLaughlin and Linde Hoeve’s Ricardo rounded out the top three and she will also have her eye on the championship.

Leading the victory lap in the 128cm six/seven-year-olds was Connaught rider Ellen Ryan aboard P J Costello’s Bronheulog Ruben when they were awarded 73.5 marks.

138CM

The 138cm championship is the first class to take place in the main arena on Friday morning. Let’s take a look at the top contenders after the four qualifiers.

In the Meadows four double clears were delivered and fastest of those was Connaught rider Cathal McKeon-Devaney and Cornhill Snowey.

This seasoned pair handled the pressure with ease and will be among those expected to be in the rosettes at the RDS. No strangers to this type of pressure, Munster rider Lucia Keane took the runner-up spot with Alto de Fougnar, ahead of Jack Dore and the eight-year-old Hastag Alias. Donnacha Burns and Youghal Paddy experience showed as he also kept the poles in place for fourth.

The young pony category started off on a strong note with Alayna Hawkins and the seven-year-old Kiltiernan Silly Sally when awarded a mark of 75.5. Also qualifying was Ella Rush and Jubuki Blue De and Amber Tobin with Ballynew Roisin. With the scores so close this class is definitely up for the taking by any of these three combinations.

In Cavan, the 138cm class delivered seven triple clears in the nine-way jump-off, demonstrating the determination of these riders. This win was claimed by the Ulster region’s Cliodhna McEvoy and Etoile Des Chesnaies, capping off what has already been a strong season for the pairing. McEvoy’s closest rival was Harvey Oscar Foley and Mayfly Green Peter, who will bring plenty of experience to the competition.

Ulster rider Eunan Kelly and Lurganmore Little Rocket followed closely behind. Almost a second behind and accounting for eventual fourth was Katelyn Horgan and Mystic Du Charooli. Ellie Sheane and Conazar Jayne finished in fifth place and again are serious contenders in this division. Munster riders proved very strong in this round with Ryan Horgan taking sixth place with Diament De Thouare followed by Georgia De Bromhead and Sparkling Boomastasia.

A total of 60 combinations battled in out in this young pony class in Cavan and taking the win on a score of 75.5 was Munster rider Brian Chow Hannan aboard Kanello Van Orchid’s. There was little to separate the placings in this division with less than a point separating Cathal McKeon-Devaney (Kitty SB) and Medb Kinney and Dooneens Candy Kid. This will be a hot division.

In the 138cm section in ArdChuain, 46 hopefuls lined up in a bid to secure their place and this decider went just one round with only three combinations delivering clears. Taking the win was Ulster’s Serena Brown and Lyra Lady. Ben O’Connor and Solea were third and Hannah Rose Roche and Hop took third. Ella Rush was fastest of the four faulters with Shadow Dash for fourth, ahead of Rachel Sheehan and Cuffesgrange In It to Win it who also had one down.

The 138cm six/seven-year-olds ended up being a very close class with Alayna Hawkins and Thank Crunchie (6yo) taking the win on 74 points; Alayna will be double handed in the class. The other two qualifiers were Elsie Tunney with Tullinaglug Rosheen and Ava O’Neill with SCS Aslan Girl.

In Barnadown, Ruby Kelly took the win and the runner-up place in this division which was decided over just one round. Riding the five-year-old RWS It’s the Game Changer she opted to retire in the second round. Ruby Kelly slotted into second place with Little Red Baron with her first-round time of 69.26, ahead of Munster rider Colm Widger Creevelea Larrybo in a time of 70.54. Two other combinations to keep a close eye on in this division are Ronan Duffy and Midnight Sky Cedar, along with Charlie Flynn and Daddy’s Dollars - both showing consistent form and potential for a strong RDS performance.

In the young pony division, the highest marks were delivered at this final round by Nikita Dennehy and the six-year-old Killerisk Rosehill Empire awarded a strong score of 80 marks. Leinster’s Lauren McGrath (Colorado Springs) and Ulster rider Ellie Bingham (Drumree Willow) finished on a score of 74.25 to share second place.

148CM

A previous winner in the Dublin Horse Show, Ruben Foley’s experience shone through as he took the first ticket in the 148cm A qualifier at The Meadows aboard Wineport Q Junior when they delivered the only double clear of the class. Emily O’Brien and Sweet Rennes Girl had one on the ground but put in an outstanding performance.

The next four riders also chose to withdraw in the second round, but they all booked their place and all four are serious contenders in this category.

One is the seasoned combination of Sam Widger and Western Rangertook who third place. The others are Cathal McKeon-Devaney and Candy Foss, Harry Rush and Birch Grove Blue Delight and Alex Sheehan with Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond. Zara Sharkey’s and Iflex are another pair that cannot be ruled out.

In the seven and eight-year-old class, 87 took on the 1.10m course and it went to three rounds with 17 battling it out for one of the coveted tickets. Taking the win was Charlie Flynn aboard the six-year-old Royal Remark. Flynn is no stranger to the RDS and either is the runner-up, Ted Fagan, who qualified with the six-year-old Little Miss Susie. Also qualifying was Sam Widger (Poynstown Hero), Alice Moloney (MHS Colorado), Alayna Hawkins (Calidon) and Josephine Nell ( Blueoak Shelby).

In Cavan, anticipation reached fever pitch as 47 combinations lined out for the 148cm decider, which unfolded over three intense rounds. Just five riders managed to keep a clean sheet throughout, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish.

Leading the charge was Lily Tunney aboard Fireman, producing a blistering jump-off round of 32.20 to claim the first qualification ticket.

Hot on her heels, though nearly six seconds adrift, was Georgia De Bromhead with Shamrock Du Gite, clocking a time of 38.50 to take second.

There was little to separate the next placing as Connaught rider David Egan and Katie Girl secured third with a time of 39.14. Munster rider Victoria Darcy and Kobra Van Orchids took fourth place. Last of the triple clears and taking fifth place was Ulster rider Sara Margey and Clonlee Clint.

In the decider in Ard Chuain, 45 combinations battled it out and the seven tickets were decided after two rounds. Taking the win was Leinster rider Saoirse O’Neill with Carnhill Misty.

Following closely behind was Ulster rider Zoe Mellett and Victory Day Li, who also kept the poles in place. Connaught’s Ronan Gilvarry and Glor Tire Cruise were also fractions behind with nothing to add to secure their place. No stranger to the RDS, Conrad Sweeney took fourth place with Deluca Reape, ahead of Daisy O’Dea and KFS Budweiser. Juliette Mcintosh and Dunard Trixie Mix completed the top six.

The 148cm six/seven-year-olds attracted the largest entries with 86 vying for their place to the RDS. This decider went over three rounds with only two maintaining clean sheets. Claiming top honours was Harry Rush aboard the talented six-year-old Jupiter de Coquerie SF. Padraig Howley was second with Master Mini T. Also picking up their tickets was Ella Rush (Rsk Pixie), Max Doyle (Summerdale Stride Of Pride), Medb Kinney (S J Caledonia), and Abbie-Rose McGeady (Robyn’s April Song), who rounded out the top six.

Leinster riders stamped their authority in Barnadown as they swept the top four places in a fiercely contested nine-way jump-off, setting the tone ahead of Simmonscourt qualifiers.

Claiming the first ticket was Nicole Reynolds on the eight-year-old Jimmy’s Moon. Robbie Sheehan and Knockroe Clover Mor was less than a second behind with nothing to add.

Bonnie Loughrey and Infinity were last of the double clears. Ted Fagan incurred a time fault in the second round with Ballyfore Rosie for eventual fourth place, while Katelyn Horgan and the eight-year-old Wreenwood Kingsley also incurred a time fault in the second round fifth place.

Alex Sheehan and Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond proved fastest of the four faulters in 42.70 for sixth place.

The 148cm six/seven-year-old winner was Sam Widger and the six-year-old Poynstown Hero. Alanna Keeling and Nola Hdh took second ahead of Ciara Cash and the seven-year-old Poncho 29. Also qualifying was Alex Owens (Happy Hooker Sts), Jack Dore (Shinning Du Cahamp Du Bois) and Calum Duignan (Parkroe Jane).