THE battle for coveted qualification spots at the upcoming Dublin Horse Show began in Mullingar as pony riders, children on horses and young riders delivered top-class performances in a bid to secure tickets to the Dublin Horse Show. Without a doubt, after four qualifiers, an unforgettable week of pony jumping at the Dublin Horse Show is in store as Ireland’s brightest young talents will battle it out in a bid to claim a coveted RDS championship.

The pressure was on as riders from across the country produced exceptional performances at the first round in Mullingar in a bid to take the first tickets up for grabs.

128cm

The 128cm class once again proved why it remains one of the most competitive sections with a massive field of 74 combinations going head-to-head over three rounds. In the end it was Lillie Cash and JSB Hidden Secret who came out on top after an electric jump-off. Familiar names including the 138cm champion Harvey Oscar Foley and The Silver Legend, along with returning RDS finalists such as Hes A Touch Of Magic under Gwendolyn Bradford, ensure the atmosphere in the Simmonscourt Arena will go down to the wire. Eva Carey will be one to watch, having finished just a second behind the winner with Puddles The Pony. Cooley Farm are well represented in this section, with Taylor O’Neill riding Shirsheen Cooley and Jack Dunphy riding Newhaven Cooley. In the second round in Barnadown, the 128cm qualifier saw 61 combinations battling through three demanding rounds. A total of 10 riders ultimately produced flawless triple clears, but it was Connaught’s Grace Mellett and the talented seven-year-old Bronheulog Ruben who stole the show to take the win. A previous winner at the Dublin Horse Show, Jack Derwin and Deelside Dolly will have his eye on the prize, while Munster riders Lily Lennon and Emily Mason also booked their places with polished performances that marked them out as exciting contenders for the RDS arena.

The pressure reached fever pitch at the penultimate round at Maryville in Co Cork. The 128cm class was one of the highlights of the weekend, attracting an impressive 74 starters. After three demanding rounds, just 14 combinations remained fault-free. Ulster’s Caitie McEvoy and Tynnan Tuttle Pip emerged victorious to secure their Dublin Horse Show ticket. Munster’s Jennifer Meagher partnered the experienced Little Miss Big Time to a superb runner-up finish, with Leila Coleman and Red Rock III close behind in third.

Grace Mellett and Bronheulog Rubenwon their 128 qualifier at Barnadown \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

128cm 6/7-year-old

Shared victories, razor-thin margins and polished performances across the 128cm six and seven-year-old classes in Mullingar suggest spectators can expect thrilling competition from the opening day of the show. Sharing the win was Matthew Roche with the six-year-old Fudge and Georgia Foley and the seven-year-old Carlton Abi. Third place was claimed by Evelina O’Keefe and the seven-year-old Hop it Pop, who will have a huge support team behind her.

A fiercely competitive 128cm six and seven-year-old qualifier in Barnadown saw Gracie Kelly and Loolly Do narrowly edge out Harry Hannaway and Bryngwennol Captain Tom. With margins so tight, spectators can expect a thrilling championship in Simmonscourt.

In the final round in Cavan, Michael Ryan and Johhny McConnell chose Munster’s Mairead Kate Barry and Ryehall Marble Arch (7yo) as their winners on a score of 80.75. Margins behind was fellow Munster rider Finn Russell and Maybrook Dolly Mixture (7yo) on 80.5. Connaught’s Brian Kelly and the six-year-old Annadale S.O.S took third on 77.5 points. With little dividing these placings it’s all to play for.

138cm

In the 138cm ranks, Lucia Keane produced one of the standout performances at Mullingar aboard Knud Van Orchid’S, guiding the pony to a superb triple clear to claim victory. Last year’s 128cm Dublin Horse Show champion and National Champion, Ben O’Connor, continued his rise through the divisions with an impressive second-place finish on Tesla Van Het Klavertje, while Jack Dore and Farone Des Islots secured his place. Daniel McKeon- Devaney and Cornhill Snowey accounted for fourth place and no doubt will be looking for a title. Ruby Kelly will be making her return to the RDS having claimed fifth with RWS It’s The Game Changer. Other combinations to keep an eye on are 138cm National Champion Katelyn Horgan and Cantum De Beaulieu and Blathnaid Murphy with Orchid’s Serata, who both proved very fast against the clock.

In the second round at Barnadown, the 138cm division once again saw a hard-fought class, with only seven clear rounds produced from a field of 58 starters. Munster’s Patrick Leddy and Glenara Tiger Roll proved unbeatable as he claimed victory, while Elsie Tunney and Willow also delivered an impressive performance. Former championship contenders were beginning to emerge strongly too, with last year’s 128cm championship runner-up Annie-Hughes Kennedy securing her return to the RDS aboard Hobby De Niost. Other combinations to watch in this championship are the very experienced Christian O’Brien and Sparkling Boomastasia and Lauren McGrath and Beechmount Pippa.

In Maryville, the excitement continued in the 138cm division, where Harvey Oscar Foley and Mayfly Green Peter produced the fastest of six triple-clear rounds to claim victory. Joe Widger and Poynstown Penny have been very consistent all year and they could also be on the money, as will Elsie Tunney and Lurganmore Little Rocket.

In Cavan, The golden ticket in the 138cm qualifier went to Munster as Lily Lennon and Blackwook Killamaster delivered a clear in 67.99. This decider went to just one round, seven delivering clears to book their places. All these riders were happy to save their energies for the Dublin Horse Show, indicating that it’s a title that they are chasing. Those riders were Serena Brown (Lyra Lady), Saoirse Barry (RTS Killult Dawn), Lauren McGrath (Beechmount Pippa), Abbey Murphy (Kilternan Bob), Lucy Kent (Little Pretender) and Joe Widger and Poynstown Penny.

Lucia Keane and Knud Van Orchid’S won the 138 RDS Qualifier at Mullingar\ Rolf Stenberg jumpinaction.net

138cm six and seven-year-olds

In the 138cm six and seven-year-old qualifier, reigning RDS and National 138cm champion Harvey Oscar Foley underlined his championship credentials once again. He will return to the RDS aboard Yuki. Gracie Kelly continued her excellent weekend form by taking second with Goldengrove Telltale, while Lauren MacMahon rounded out the qualifiers aboard Loughwell Lucas. Chloe Clarke and Brummerhoeve’s Salomon H will also be ones to watch in this division, having qualified at Mullingar at the first round. Jack Rush and She’s A Pleasure will no doubt be gunning for the win.

In Cavan, Connaught’s Tim Hawkins and the seven-year-old Milchem Just Magic came out on top and were chased home by Nuala Arbuckle and the seven-year-old Bridgepark Thumbelina. A prolific winner, Jack Rush and the seven-year-old Jabuki Blue De Choc will also be keen to take a title after securing their spot.

Tim Hawkins and Milchem Just Magic won the 138 (six and seven-year-old) class at the Cavan June RDS qualifier \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

148cm

In the opening round in Mullingar, the 148cm division saw 62 hopefuls battling it out for a place at the five-star show. Susan Brannigan and the exciting eight-year-old Imagine D’Argent emerged victorious after a nail-biting 17-way jump-off, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive championship at the RDS.

Following closely behind were established campaigners James Cleary and Milchem Original. No strangers to the pressure of the RDS, Zara Sharkey (Iflex)and fellow Connaught rider and 148cm National Champion Cathal McKeon Devaney (Nokio) booked their place and will be up for the challenge. Lucia Keane had a great season last year and she will be one to watch with RDJW Merclow, as will Chantal Whitehead and Alsonsa, who were both unlucky to have a pole down.

The future stars of the sport were equally impressive in the 148cm six and seven-year-old class. With combinations such as Sam Donovan and Happy Hooker STS and Ellen Ryan with Cuckoo Of Farmhill also securing qualification, the young pony ranks look stronger than ever heading into August.

In the second round in Barnadown, the 148cm decider proved every bit as competitive as expected, with just eight clear rounds emerging from a field of 51 combinations. Leinster rider and 1.10m Interprovincial winner, Lucy McCarthy and Gorm added their names to an increasingly strong championship line-up with a polished third-place finish. Familiar faces will also return to the famous Dublin arena, including Elizabeth McCracken and CW Mellow Champagne Charlie and Meadb Kinney and Seapatrick Gucci. In Cavan, Helen Walsh and Barnaboy Cheyene put in a strong performance to secure her place, and she will be one to keep a close eye on, as will Jack Hannigan and Olily-V, who secured their place in the final round.

This championship will be one to watch as thin margins separating the qualifiers, with Tom Geary (Coolcronan Class), Daniel Bloger (Sallybog Willow) and Padraig Howley (Ahorna You Two) all booking their tickets after delivering fast and accurate clear rounds under immense pressure.

Another Ulster success came in the 148cm class in Maryville, as Millie Jeffers and Sweet Renees Girl delivered three flawless rounds to take the win ahead of Alice Steele with HHS Mustang Sally.

148cm six and seven-year-olds

The 148cm six and seven-year-old division saw showcased the next generation of superstar ponies destined for the big stage at the Dublin Horse Show. Munster rider Ellie Rogan stole the spotlight aboard the six-year-old Castlelawn Moonshine, producing a sensational treble clear to take the win. Leinster’s Calum Duignan once again proved his that he is ready to take up the gauntlet after an impressive performance aboard April Shadow. Having already featured prominently at last year’s RDS, Duignan looks set for another major campaign in Ballsbridge this summer. Ulster’s Juliana Nelson (It’s A Kind Of Magic) and Connaught rider Padraig Howley (Sligo Breeze) completed a hugely impressive field of finalists.

Once again in Maryville, Ireland’s next generation of jumping talent also shone in the six and seven-year-old pony divisions. Ella Rush and the seven-year-old, RSK Pixie made an impression when they took the win ahead of Tim Hawkins and the six-year-old Heart and Soul, who was fractions behind. A clear from Leinster’s Saoirse O’Neill and the seven-year-old Corona Boy saw them book their place.

Ellie Sheane and the seven-year-old Parkroe Jane and Lucia Keane and the six-year-old Kilroe Rose will also be strong contenders in this division having secured their ticket. No stranger to the high pressure of the Dublin Horse Show, Ronan Duffy will have high hopes for Dublin as he secured his place with Oh Bobby.

This year the talent of both rider and pony was exceptionally high and all those who have won their place have equal opportunity to take home a title.

One thing for sure is, pony classes will feature some of the most competitive classes and will be ones to watch.