First into Cavan’s Tree arena on Saturday morning were the 148cm riders, battling it out for their place over three rounds. Claiming the golden ticket in the 148A qualifier was Connaught rider Ella Cash and Interniki, when they were fastest of four clears in 40.60 seconds.

Over four seconds slower and taking second place was fellow Connaught rider, Edward Walsh and Destiny Of A Woman in 44.70. Munster rider Lily Ryall and Knocknahorgan Temple Cruise took third, when coming home in 49.79, ahead of Leinster rider Saoirse O’Neill and Barravalley Glory in a time of 50.84. Medbh Kinney and Seapatrick Gucci incurred a single time fault (52.99), but this was enough for fifth place. It was a good day for the Walsh family, as Helen Walsh and Barnaboy Cheyene picked up two time faults in the final round (53.27), but still placed sixth.

Connaught rider Cathal McKeon-Devaney and BP Eleven took seventh, when they had one on the ground in 43.05, ahead of Jack Hannigan and Olily-V, on four faults in 44.70.

138cm qualifier

The golden ticket in the 138cm qualifier went to Munster, as Lily Lennon and Blackwood Killamaster delivered a clear in 67.99. This decider went to just one round, with seven combinations delivering clears to book their places.

Ulster’s Serena Brown and Lyra Lady took second place, clocking 68.11, while in third was Saoirse Barry and RTS Killult Dawn in 68.29.

Slotting into fourth was Leinster’s Lauren McGrath and Beechmount Pippa in a time of 71.03, while in fifth was Munster’s Abbey Murphy and Kiltiernan Bob in 71.73, ahead of Leinster’s Lucy Kent and Little Pretender in 74.19. Munster’s Joe Widger and the seven-year-old Poynstown Penny took seventh, in a time of 74.77.

Foot-perfect

In the Snaffles indoor sand arena, 67 combinations battled it out over three rounds. Claiming the win was Ulster’s Harry Kelly and Tower View Lady, when they put in a foot-perfect third round in 33.50.

Leinster’s Julia Sheehan and Heartbreaker Charlie took second place with a clear in 35.58, while in third was Munster’s Finn Russell and the six-year-old Shine Bright Like A Diamond, clear in 35.74.

Connaught’s Ben Hawkins and Bronheulog Rose Gold kept all the poles in place in 38.05 for fourth. Leinster’s Jack Dunphy and Newhaven Cooley slotted into fifth with a clear in 43.16, while in sixth was Ulster’s Isla McKinty and Killorglin Boy, who was fastest of the four-faulters in 31.46.

Munster’s Amelia Stafford and Tierna also had one on the ground, but their time of 39.09 proved good enough for seventh. Connaught’s Jack Rush and Hoge Linthorst Ali B finished on eight faults in 34.72 for eighth place.