HAVING qualified at Clonmel in 2025, Alyssa O’Neill travelled over to last week’s Agria Royal International Horse Show in Hickstead where, on Friday, she finished fourth in the Baileys Horse Feeds lightweight working hunter championship with her Irish Sport Horse mare Dermish Coney.

The Co Kildare owner/rider, who recorded one of just seven clear rounds in a well-subscribed class, was accompanied to the show by her fiancé David McMahon, who obligingly helps out as groom. While at Hickstead, the couple met London-based Co Clare native Susan Moloney, who bred ‘Riley’ out of the OBOS Quality 004 mare Quality Cruising. Having qualified at Scarteen, O’Neill has entered Dermish Coney for next Sunday’s older lightweight working hunter class at the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show where, earlier in the week, she will be working on the TRM stand in her role as Marketing Manager.