A HUGELY competitive field of 118 combinations turned out to try for one of the final eight places on offer in the prestigious four-year-old class at the RDS Dublin Horse Show in August, at Mullingar on Wednesday. German judges Thomas Schönig from the Hannoveraner Verband and Roland Metz from the Oldenburger Society had the difficult job of narrowing it down to eight horses.

After many hours of jumping it was Harold Megahey’s Clover Kcx, a German-bred stallion by Cornet Obolensky out of Halina Va by Kannan and ridden by his owner, who reigned supreme when he was awarded a score of 80.25. Megahey is based between Belgium and Northern Ireland where he runs Westbury Stables and the day before the qualifier was the first time he sat on the winner, who is normally ridden by Jonny Mulligan.

Junior rider Christian Kennedy rode his family’s stallion KBS Night Walker (OBOS Quality 004 x KEC Maximum Joe), bred by Global Event Horses Ltd, into the runner-up spot with 78.25 points.

Ballypatrick Stables rider Harry Wood guided their home-bred mare BP Royal Highness (Aganix Du Seigneur x Casper) into third with a score of 77.5. Fourth went to Olivia Shanahan and her own mare Grennanstown Foxie Lady (Dodarde E Z x Master Imp), bred by Victoria Von Schoen, on 75.

Michael and Sinead Brennan’s home-bred stallion MHS Magical, by Cornet Obolensky out of Gowran Lady, scored 75 for fifth place with Jack Brennan aboard.

Ita McDermott’s stallion BC Lux Grand slotted into sixth place with a score of 71.25. Ridden by her husband Shane Quinn, he is by Grandorado out of Lux Lady (Lux Z) and was bred by Martin John Kavanagh. Seventh went to Andrew Hodgins riding his own and Brian Lenehan’s German-bred stallion Daconti G (71.01). The final place went to Shane Goggins riding Noel Slattery’s The Seafarer (Garryduff Jar Of Hearts x Taloubet Z), bred by James Joyce, on a score of 71.