A BEAUTIFUL sunny day graced the grounds of Tubberbride Stables for the AIRC team championship qualifiers, sponsored by Premier Performance on May 4th. The venue welcomed 17 teams that were set to compete for the much-coveted first place and that golden ticket to the RDS Dublin Horse show in August.

With nine clubs from across the large West Region of AIRC being represented in total, the day kicked off with the first team in the ring at 10am, starting with a Tynagh Riding Club team, and they certainly set the standard for the day with their first rider providing an effortless clear round.

For the majority of the first round it was clear after clear after clear, which left the results after the first rounds with seven teams finishing on a score of zero ahead of their second rounds - meaning it was still all to play for.

Riders gave their all over a brilliant yet challenging course set by the experienced and talented Richard Kerins and the atmosphere was electric.

Riders who had clears in their first rounds were having poles in their second round and vice versa.

The tension was palpable, the mounting pressure visible on their faces as they entered the arena for the second and final time of the day, as they knew the end goal was almost within reach for their teams.

Exciting jump-off

As it came down to the wire and the last rider finished, there were three teams on a zero score, meaning a jump-off was required. Head judge on the day, Noeleen Kerins, announced this with excitement in her voice, as she and everyone around knew it would be a sensation to watch.

The three teams through to the jump-off were Benbulben Team Yellow, Nephin Blue Team and Benbulben Team Red.

First into the ring for the jump-off was Benbulben Team Yellow represented by their captain Fiona Tansey riding her mare Talbots Lass. Fiona gave an incredible performance with a super clear round and a brilliant time of 34.54, really setting the stage and standard for the next riders to follow.

Nephin Blue Team was next to go, represented by their captain Brian Weir riding Corroy Candy. Brian and his gelding were ready and they did not hold back, which certainly paid off as they came in with a cracking clear round putting them into the lead with a time of 32.44.

Benbulben Team Red were next and last to go in this high atmosphere jump-off for the dream of that RDS golden ticket. Captain Vanessa Sweeney, riding her beautiful mare Woodbank Clover, entered the ring and you could feel they meant business. Giving it everything they had, they went for it, getting the most incredible turns that made the whole crowd gasp.

Watching this pair had everyone silent, as Vanessa shaved seconds off the time only to have one unfortunate pole on the floor and the fate was sealed for the Nephin Blue Team, who were already on their feet celebrating in the crowds, realising that their dreams had just become a reality and they were off to the RDS Dublin Horse Show with their golden ticket representing the West.

It was a phenomenal day of competition, demonstrating the excellent standard of horsemanship, riders’ skills and camaraderie that characterise the West Region of AIRC.

Comments on the day on the brilliant but challenging course set by Richard Kerins were true and yet a testament to all the clear rounds and successful show jumping that onlookers were treated to on the day.