THERE was a huge entry for the latest Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing qualifier which was staged by the Kildare Hunt Branch last Saturday at Punchestown.

The hosts not only unveiled their new coffin jump complex and six new portable arrowheads and tables on the cross-country course but all fences had been freshly re-birched including the long standing keyholes.

Overseeing all the action in 12 classes was a large team of officials backed up by an army of volunteers whose willingness to assist was much appreciated by Branch District Commissioner Una Holohan and Assistant DC Rosemarie O’Reilly.

Wire-to-wire winner

Holohan’s daughter Evie got the Kildares off to the perfect start when, despite four show jumping penalties, she led from start to finish in Section A of the Intermediate on the 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Lady Ace (Jack Of Diamonds – Monatrea Pippa, by Seamanship). This combination won at Stradbally, finished second at Killossery and were third at Grove in their three previous outings this season.

Also with a fence down show jumping to finish second and third were Co Limerick’s Jane Moloney on Harle Du Puissant (29.5) and the Kildares’ Gloria Queally on Lizzi (32.3). One of only two clear show jumping rounds in this 16-strong class was recorded by the fourth-placed Kayleigh Hoban of the North Kilkenny Branch on The Bay Lady Breeze (42.8).

With a high number of withdrawals, there were only 11 starters in Section B where six of them were clear over the coloured poles. Not so the winners, Kate Jordan on the seven-year-old thoroughbred gelding Serene Ace (Sandmason – Rosies Rocket, by Definite Article) who had one fence down. However, thanks to their excellent dressage score, the Killinick representatives won comfortably on a total of 21.4 while, with her show jumping clear, the Golden Vale’s Evelyn Fahey finished second on Kilconieron Basil (25).

Jordan and Serene Ace, who failed to finish in two point-to-point maidens as a four-year-old, started 2026 by placing second in the Treo Eile-sponsored thoroughbred final at the Stepping Stones to Success league at Wexford Equestrian and winning the league itself.

Prize winners from the Intermediate classes (l-r) Jane Moloney, Co Limerick PC; Kayleigh Hoban, North Kilkenny PC; Kate Jordan, Killinick Hunt PC; Evie Holohan, Kildare Hunt PC; Emily Macken, Muskerry PC and Gloria Queally, Kildare Hunt PC

Kilkenny strikes

The Kilkenny Hunt Branch struck in Section A of the Intro Intermediate through Anna Ryle and the seven-year-old grey mare Artic Star after which Co Clare’s Annie Hynes completed on her winning dressage score in Section B with the ISH gelding RPS Heart Throb, a 12-year-old gelding by Simba.

Pippa Dunne, who was on the Irish squad at the Junior tetrathlon in Morton Morrell earlier in the season, completed a double for the Kildares when winning the first of four Junior sections on the 11-year-old Connemara mare Meelicks River.

The other winners were Tasmin Haughey of the Meath Branch on the 20-year-old Sirsan gelding Dunran Marvel (Section B), Ward Union member Lillian Ward riding the nine-year-old ISH gelding Passadena Travel (Section B) and the Brays’ Sadie Orton riding the 15-year-old gelding Candyman Joe (Section D).

There was a third success on the day for the Kildares thanks to Emilie Hickey who completed on her dressage score (27) in Section A of the Intro Junior class on board the Connemara mare Glenayre Mystical Mist. Hickey and the nine-year-old Coosheen Stormboy dun recorded a six penalty-point win over their neatest rival, and teammates, Harry Lambe riding Trigger (33).

Rose Reynolds brought up a double for the Meath Branch in Section B where, left in front, she won on her first phase score (30.5) with the 18-year-old dun gelding Cotterstown Dun.

A narrow winner of the dressage phase, Waterford’s Ella Mai Power held on to land Section A of the Under 12s’ class with the ultra consistent the British-bred Connemara gelding Ballyerk Floss, an eight-year-old grey by Ballybeg JJ. As the two early leaders were eliminated across the country, the Killinicks’ Arabella Hunt moved up to claim the win in Section B on board the 11-year-old Welsh gelding Hedgefield Storm Chaser (27.5).

Last qualifiers

Only two opportunities remain to gain qualification for the Connolly’s Red Mills/Irish Pony Club eventing championships taking place at Tattersalls Ireland from Friday to Sunday, August 21st to 23rd.

The first of these two qualifiers is being held tomorrow at Frankfort, where the Island Hunt Branch are the day’s hosts, with Area 5 running the final qualifier on Bank Holiday Monday, August 3rd at Ballindenisk where, hopefully, there will be a strong entry for the Open class.

Foran league points will also be on offer at both fixtures.