MARYVILLE Stables in County Cork played host to the penultimate round of Pony, Young Rider and Children on Horses Dublin Horse Show qualifiers last week. The pressure was on, as hopefuls fought tooth and nail for a ticket to the five-star show.

The 128cm category saw 74 combinations go to post and it went to three rounds, with 14 maintaining clean sheets. It was an extremely competitive decider, with the top four coming home within 35 seconds. Claiming the golden ticket was Ulster rider, Caitie McEvoy and Tynnan Tuttle Pip, when they posted the winning time of 33.49. There was only a split second in it, as Munster rider Jennifer Meagher and the very experienced Little Miss Big Time came home in 33.71.

Fellow Munster rider Leila Coleman and Red Rock 111, also put in a blistering round, clocking 34.11 for third. Lauren Walsh, also from Munster took fourth place with Ravara Mohawk, stopping the clock in 34.18. Although already qualified, Gwendolyn Bradford put in another great performance, taking fifth with He’s A Touch Of Magic, coming home in 35.41. Harvey Oscar Foley and Bossinova had previously secured their place, but another good performance of clear in 35.61 saw them take sixth. Taylor O’Neill and Shirsheen Cooley didn’t hang about and a clear in 35.71 saw them take seventh, ahead of Gracie Kelly and Belgrove Beauty, in 35.74 in eighth place. Mairead Kate Barry and Loggy Star Lubelie took ninth, coming home in 36.05, while in 10th was Khloe McLaughlin and Chambers Buzz, in a time of 36.94.

Winner of the 128cm six- and seven-year-olds was Dylan Cregan and the six-year-old Believe In Me, on a score of 166. Just two points behind was Tilly Smyth and the six-year-old Grantstown Init Towin It, on 164 marks. Taylor O’Neill and the seven-year-old Brookhall Royal Ensign took third when awarded 158 marks.

Hard fought

The 138cm division saw 59 go to post and, similar to the 128cm class, it was hard fought going three rounds and six combinations kept all the poles standing. Taking the win was Harvey Oscar Foley and Mayfly Green Peter, when they galloped home in 32.67. Foley’s closest rival was Jack Dore and Hashtag Alias, in a time of 33.60, while in third was Charlotte Foley and Blakehill Supreme in a time of 35.42. Ella Cash and the six-year-old Hidden Oilean was fractions behind in 36.16 for fourth, while in fifth was Nikita Dennehy and D Drim De Brixia in a time of 38.28. DJ Kent and D’Hectare Des Ifs left nothing to spare, coming home in 39.37 for sixth, ahead of Eabha Muldoon and Ballyduff Lad in seventh, who had one on the ground in a time of 33.25. Slotting into eighth was Christian O’Brien and the very experienced Sparkling Boomastasia, with four faults in 35.39.

Young ponies

Emerging victorious in the 138cm young pony class was Nikita Dennehy and the seven-year-old Killerisk Rosehill Empire on a score of 163. Connaught’s George Kelly and the six-year-old Miss Lexi took the runner-up spot on 157.5, while in third was Darragh Donovan and the six-year-old Forest Oscar on 155 points.