A YEAR after it did the same for its Working Hunter Pony classes, the Dublin Horse Show will introduce qualifiers for its five Working Hunter Horse classes in 2026. These qualifiers will run alongside the Young Event Horse Series, which are scheduled for consecutive Tuesdays from June 9th at Tullylish, Scarteen, Forth Mountain Stud and Rincoola.

The RDS says its Working Hunter Horse classes are designed to showcase horses with jumping ability, sound conformation, excellent movement and the temperament to excel across multiple disciplines. These classes are open to Irish-bred horses only and they are divided into five categories: four-year-olds, five-year-olds and over Traditional Irish Horse, five and six-year-olds capable of carrying up to 83kg, seven-year-olds and over capable of carrying up to 83kg and five-year-olds and over capable of carrying over 83kg.

RDS Show Director Fiona Sheridan said: “We have seen the positive impact that qualifiers have had in raising the standard and competitiveness of other classes. By introducing qualifiers for the Working Hunter Horse classes, we are ensuring that the very best combinations make it to Dublin Horse Show, which ultimately benefits competitors, spectators and the sport as a whole.”

This announcement comes two weeks after the RDS made public its decision to drop the Pony Club Combined Training classes from its schedule for 2026, when they said that “the standard of riding in this sector hasn’t improved as much as in others; it was quite a mixed bag at times”.

Last year’s introduction of qualifiers for the Working Hunter Pony classes was made in an effort to improve the quality and standard of the competition overall and to make sure that competitors are adequately prepared for the courses they will meet at the show. The qualifiers for these classes are held in conjunction with the Irish Pony Society.

HOYS qualifiers

On the subject of qualifiers, the full list of HOYS showing qualifier dates was published this week, with the Northern Ireland Festival at Cavan Equestrian Centre due to offer tickets across nine classes, as well as the seven up for grabs at Clonmel Agricultural Show. The full list can be found at hoys.co.uk.