THE pressure was certainly mounting as pony and young riders travelled to Ard Chuain in Sligo for the penultimate round of Dublin Horse Show qualifiers last weekend.
In the 148cm division, 45 combinations battled it out and the seven tickets were decided after two rounds. Taking the win was Leinster rider Saoirse O’Neill, who delivered a clear round with Carnhill Misty in a time of 41.05. Following closely behind was Ulster rider Zoe Mellett and Victory Day Li, who also kept the poles in place in a time of 41.61.
Connaught’s Ronan Gilvarry and Glor Tire Cruise were fractions behind with nothing to add in a time of 42.10 to book their ticket. No stranger to the RDS, Conrad Sweeney took fourth with Deluca Reape when clear in 42.11. A clear from Daisy O’Dea and KFS Budweiser in 43.31 saw them claim fifth. Juliette McIntosh and Dunard Trixie Mix placed sixth with a clear in 43.51. Seventh place was filled by Lily Tunney and Correlli Clover (44.12).
The 148cm six/seven-year-olds attracted the largest entries, with 86 vying for one of the six places to the RDS. This class was decided over three rounds with only two maintaining clean sheets. Connaught riders filled the top three slots and best of those was Harry Rush and the six-year-old Jupiter De Coquerie Sf when clear in a time of 45.67 in the third round.
Padraig Howley Jnr opted for the longer route with the six-year-old Master Mini T and they came home in 57.79 for second. Ella Rush added to the family score sheet when she claimed third with the six-year-old Rsk Pixie, four-faulters in 44.54 in the final round. The highest placed seven-year-old was Summerdale Stride Of Pride, ridden to fourth place by Max Doyle (0/0/4 44.80), while in fifth was Medb Kinney and S J Caledonia (0/0/4 45.19). The final spot went to Abbie-Rose McGeady and the seven-year-old Robyn’s April Song (0/04 47.16).
138cm
In the 138cm Grade A qualifier, 46 hopefuls lined up in a bid to secure their place at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. In a difficult class, just three combinations were clear in the first round and they decided not to jump-off. Taking the win was Ulster rider Serena Brown and Lyra Lady with a first round clear in 70.35.
Claiming the runner-up spot was Ben O’Connor and Solea in a time of 79.70. Hannah Rose Roche and Hop took third when they clocked 80.01. Ella Rush was fastest of the four-faulters with Shadow Dash for fourth, ahead of Rachel Sheehan on Cuffesgrange In It to Win it, Blathnaid Murphy on Orchid’S Serata (8yo) and Alayna Hawkins on Ballyduff Lad.
The 138cm six/seven-year-olds attracted a large following with 56 combinations battling it out for just three qualifying tickets. This ended up being a very close class with Galway’s Alayna Hawkins and the six-year-old Thank Crunchie taking the win on 74 points. Ella Rush was runner-up with another six-year-old, Jubuki Blue De Choc, on a score of 73.5. Ulster’s Elsie Tunney and the seven-year-old Tullinaglug Rosheen took third on 73.25, while in fourth and taking the third qualifying ticket was Ava O’Neill and SCS Aslan Girl (6yo) on a score of 73.
128cm
The 128cm Grade A qualifier was decided over two rounds and, as expected, this went down to the wire with eight double clears delivered for seven qualifying places. Taking the win was Matthew Roche and Paddington Pal when they galloped home in a time of 37.28 seconds.
Harvey Oscar Foley left nothing to chance as he clocked 37.29 with Desdemone Du Marquais for second. Blathnaid Murphy was back on the podium taking third with the very experienced Kiltormer Ruby, when they clocked 39.99. Following closely behind was Jennifer Meagher and Little Miss Big Time in a time of 40.17 for eventual fourth.
Ewan McGlinchey made his journey from Munster worthwhile as he clocked 41.36 with Coppenagh Viking for fifth place. Ayla Twomey and Hilin Lace accounted for sixth place when they stopped the clock in 42.03, ahead of Lauren Walsh and Ravara Mohawk in a time of 43.18. Last of the double clears and taking eighth place was Ciara Cadam and Magnificent Maddy in a time of 43.72.
Winner of the 128cm six and seven-year-olds was Munster rider Saoirse Barry and the six-year-old Renaissance Racinda when they were awarded the top score of 73.5.
Claiming the runner-up spot was Finn Russell and another six-year-old, Maybrock Dolly Mixture, on a score of 71.25. Georgia Foley secured another ticket when she was awarded 69 points with Garnagree Thyme for third.
The final round of qualifiers will take place in Barnadown this weekend.
This report is based on results from SJI Live. All qualifying places to the Dublin Horse Show will be confirmed by Showjumping Ireland.