THE pressure was back on pony riders last weekend as Cavan Equestrian Centre hosted the second round of Dublin Horse Show Qualifiers. As expected, each division was fiercely competitive. The next round will take place in Ard Chuain on June 22nd, ahead of the final round at Barnadown on June 28th.
In the 128cm division, 69 combinations battled it out over three rounds for seven places and five triple clears were delivered in the 14-way jump-off. Leading the victory lap was Kilkenny rider Annie Hughes Kennedy when she clocked the winning time of 37.62 aboard the experienced Hes A Touch Of Magic, on the same weekend as her brother Seamus placed fourth in the CSIO5* Grand Prix of Rome.
Almost a second behind and taking second place was Lily Lennon and Woodside Jerry-Lee in a time of 38.37. Lily Russell and Cool As Ice were fractions behind in a time of 38.43. Connaught rider Tim Hawkins and Carraghy Apollo also remained within the 39-second barrier, clocking 38.98 for eventual fourth. It was a good day for Kilkenny riders, as Taylor O’Neill and Bronheulog Limited Edition came home in 41.53 for fifth place.
Cavan rider Chloe Clarke put in a very fast time of 37.65 aboard Brandon Reepicheep, but four faults saw them take sixth place. Daniel McKeon-Devaney had one on the ground with Knockash Lady Bird in 40.22 for seventh place.
Charlie Flynn and Royal Remark, winners of the 148 sex/seven-year-old RDS qualifier at Cavan \ Enda Daly jumpinaction.net
138cm
In the 138cm class, seven qualifying tickets were again on offer and seven triple clears were delivered in the nine-way jump-off. This win was claimed by the Ulster region when Cliodhna McEvoy and Etoile Des Chesnaies galloped home in a time of 29.22. McEvoy’s closest rival was Harvey Oscar Foley and Mayfly Green Peter as they crossed the line in 33.15.
Ulster’s Eunan Kelly and Lurganmore Little Rocket followed closely behind in 34.79 to take third. Almost a second behind that and accounting for eventual fourth was Katelyn Horgan and Mystic Du Charooli in 35.72. Little stood between the next placings as Leinster’s Ellie Sheane stopped the clock in 36.12 with Conazar Jayne for fifth place.
It was a good day for the Horgan family from Munster as Ryan Horgan took sixth place with Diament De Thouare in 37.46. Georgia De Bromhead and Sparkling Boomastasia took seventh place when they came home in 37.63.
148cm
A total of 47 went to post in the 148cm decider and this also went to three rounds. From the original starters, eight booked their place in the final round and five maintained clean sheets. Claiming the first ticket was Lily Tunney and Fireman, when they put in a blistering round of 32.20.
Tunney’s closest rival Georgia De Bromhead was almost six seconds slower as she came home in 38.50 with Shamrock Du Gite. There was little to separate the next placing - David Egan and Katie Girl secured third with a time of 39.14. Munster’s Victoria Darcy and Kobra Van Orchids took fourth place when they stopped the clock in 39.28. Last of the triple clears and taking fifth place was Ulster rider Sara Margey and Clonlee Clint in 41.48.
Charlie Flynn booked his place when he partnered JDF Montana when he finished as fastest of the four-faulters in 33.02. Cian McMunn also had one on the ground with Esperando SK in a time of 33.02 for seventh place.
Young ponies
A total of 40 combinations battled it out for a ticket in the 128cm six/seven-year-old class for just three tickets on offer. Taking the win was Leila Coleman aboard the six-year-old Menai Booster on a score of 78.5.
Mairead Kate Barry and the six-year-old Ryehall Marble Arch was awarded 75.25 for second place. There was little to divide the next placing as Alicia Kernan and the seven-year-old Butleigh Samphire scored 72.75 for third place.
There were 60 combinations in the 138cm six/seven-year-old class looking for one of the three qualifying spaces. Taking the win on a score of 75.5 was Munster’s Brian Chow Hannan aboard Quentin Ryder’s Kanello Van Orchid’s on a score of 75.5. In the runner-up spot was Connaught’s Cathal McKeon-Devaney riding Bob Sweeney’s six-year-old Kitty SB. Medb Kinney and the six-year-old, Dooneens Candy Kid took third place for Ulster when awarded 74.25 points.
A total of 87 took on the 1.10m course in the 148 six/seven-year-old qualifier and it went to three rounds, with 17 battling it out for one of the six coveted tickets. Of those 17, all but five delivered triple clears. Taking the win was Charlie Flynn aboard the six-year-old Royal Remark when they came home clear in 35.23. Owned by Jonathan Flynn, the mare was bred by Sammy Jo Coffin and is by Quannan R out of the Kannan mare Lyjanero Lady.
Ted Fagan and the six-year-old Little Miss Susie took second place, when they came home with nothing to add in 37.89. Sam Widger and the six-year-old Poynstown Hero took third when clear in 38.43. Alice Moloney slotted into fifth with the seven-year-old MHS Colorado when they kept all the poles in their cups in 39.72.
A clear from Connaught rider Alayna Hawkins and the six-year-old Calidon in 39.95 proved good enough for fifth. Josephine Nell and the seven-year-old Blueoak Shelby accounted for sixth place when they came home with nothing to add in 40.39.