SPANCIL Hill’s Jack Conlon Gateau (11) was the toast of Cavan Equestrian Centre last weekend when he took two of the seven available qualification spots in the 128cm section for the Dublin Horse Show.

Jack was the first pony rider last Saturday at Cavan to fill his quota qualifying two of his ponies – Uquam d’Emery and Blaengwen Kato Star - in the under 12s 128cm pony category.

There were 87 hopeful starters last Saturday at Cavan for the first round of which just 36 riders and ponies went clear. A second round, with the fences going up 10cms to 1.15cms yielded 16 more clear rounds. In the third and final round against the clock, Jack went clear with both his ponies and took the third and fifth spots available.

A delighted Jack said: “It’s such a thrill to qualify for the RDS. It’s really like getting to Croke Park for an All-Ireland in September if you play football or hurling. There are so many good riders and ponies its really hard to qualify, so I’m just delighted to have got my tickets now and can look forward to all the fun and excitement of Dublin in August.”

Jack’s mother, trainer and owner of Gateau Stables, Valerie Gateau, added: “We’re so lucky to have such a strong network of centres and competition in the Clare-Limerick SJI region such as Clare Equestrian, Banner Equestrian and the Show Grounds too. The competition is so high in Clare and Limerick it really gets you ready for the national events.”

Another Clare pony rider, Rhys Williams, also filled his qualifying quota on the day in the 138cm section. See the full report on page A64.