THE South Leinster Region of the AIRC held their leg of the Premier Performance-sponsored RDS team show jumping qualifier on May 3rd in Boswell.

David Byrne designed a fair and flowing track which, nevertheless, took its toll in the first round where nerves seemed to pay a big part and only six clear rounds were produced from the 23 competitors who took part. There was no particular ‘bogey’ fence and penalties were well-scattered over the whole course.

At the end of this round, Greenvalley were in poll position with just one time penalty, followed by Carrickmines Navy (four faults) and Hollybrook in third position with a total of 12. The Hollybrook team produced three clears in the second round, but it was not sufficient to catch either Greenvalley who came home with five penalties in that round and a total of six to claim the RDS slot.

Carrickmines Navy had one pole on the ground and finished on four in round two and a grand total of eight to take the runner-up place and will go on to the Riding Club Festival to have another shot at qualifying for the RDS in the wild card qualifier. Only three riders completed the day with double clears – two from Carrickmines (Paddy Fitzpatrick on Alexander Quay and Abigail Cocking on Creevagh Bliss) and Hollybrook’s Rebecca Minch (Calliaghstown Flight).

South Leinster will, therefore, be represented at Dublin by Greenvalley’s Chloe Daly (Captain – Look for Nala), Peggy McMullin (Ballinteskin Rebel), Patti Byrne (Olympic Sky) and Marie O’Farrell (Mi Pace).