THE sun shone for the first round of pony, young riders and Children on Horses Dublin Horse Show qualifiers at The Meadows Equestrian Centre last weekend.

On Saturday, pony riders put their best foot forward in a bid to book their place for the five-star show. In the 128cm division, 67 combinations battled it out for the seven places that were up for the taking.

Claiming the first ticket and victory was Ben O’Connor and The Million Dollar Baby when they delivered the only triple clear in a time of 41.71 seconds. Ben, who rode in Dublin for the first time in 2024, took over the ride on the talented mare towards the end of last season.

Hannah Horan beat the time when she came home in 40.99 seconds aboard Neary Perfect but four faults saw them take the runner-up spot and a return ticket to the show where they finished third last year. Julia Sheehan and Heartbreaker Charlie finished on eight faults in a time of 36.97 for third place.

Ben O’Connor rounded out a superb day when he also finished fourth with Lisboy Black Magic, his ride 12 months ago. As per the rules, riders can only qualify one pony in this division. Charlie Crean completed the second round with Brookhall Elizabeth in a time of 35.71 for fifth place. A double clear from Josh Fitzgerald and the five-year-old Creevelea Midnight Radar in 36.11 saw them take sixth place, ahead of DJ Kent and Castlefield Messie when they had four faults in the second round in a time of 30.87.

138cm

A total of 58 contested the 138cm qualifier and from those four double clears were delivered. Fastest of those was Connaught rider Cathal McKeon-Devaney and Cornhill Snowey in a time of 40.17 seconds.

Munster rider Lucia Keane took the runner-up spot with Alto de Fougnard in a time of 42.80 ahead of Jack Dore and the eight-year-old Hashtag Alias in a time of 43.35. Leinster’s Donnacha Burns and Youghal Paddy also kept the poles in place second time out, albeit in a slower time of 43.76 for fourth.

Fastest of the four-faulters in the second round was Millie Jeffers and Blackwood Killamaster in a time of 38.48, while in sixth was Ava O’Neill and Flashdance Billy who completed with four faults in 40.99. Taking the last ticket on this occasion was Taylor-Grace Nolan Gee and Matilda II when they crossed the line carrying eight faults in 43.56.

148cm

Winner of the 148cm qualifier was Leinster rider Ruben Foley and Wineport Q Junior when they delivered the only double clear in a time of 42.28 seconds. From the 50 that started in the class, there were eight clear in the first round – two of those clears came from Foley - and just two decided to contest the second round knowing that with seven spots on offer, all riders would qualify as Foley could only claim one ticket.

Emily O’ Brien and Sweet Renees Girl had one on the ground in a time of 40.55 for second place. Sam Widger retired in the second round with Western Ranger, but their first-round time of 72.39 saw them take third place. The next four riders also chose to retire and they were, in order of placing, Cathal McKeon-Devaney and Candy Floss, Harry Rush and Birchgrove Blue Delight, Alex Sheehan aboard Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond and Zara Sharkey with iFlex.

Young pony classes

Just three places are up for grabs in each round in the 128cm and 138cm six/seven-year-old division, while six are for the taking in the 148cm six/seven-year-old section. In the 128 and 138 competition, the ponies are judged and awarded points for future potential, rideability and jumping technique/natural ability, while the 148s are against the clock.

Taking the win in the 128cm was Georgia Foley aboard Seamus Daly’s six-year-old Carlton Abi when they finished on a score of 72.25. Second place went to Emily Mason and Renaissance Numizmat, another six-year-old, on a score of 71 ahead of Isobelle Keating and the seven-year-old Sheeaun Lady Misty on a score of 70.

Winner of the 138cm was Connaught rider Alayna Hawkins and the seven-year-old Kiltiernan Silver Sally when awarded a mark of 75.5. Fractions behind was Ella Rush and the six-year-old Jubuki Blue De Choc on a score of 75, while in third was Amber Tobin and Ballynew Roisin (6yo) who were awarded 72.5.

The 148cm division attracted the largest following with 82 going to post and from those four triple clears were delivered. Leading the victory lap was Leinster rider Saoirse O’Neill and the six-year-old Corona Boy when triple clear in 34.44.

Saoirse Hughes and the six-year-old Annaveigh Flashback 69 took the runner-up spot when clear in 35.33, ahead of Ruben Foley and the seven-year-old Sparkling Hawkeye 18 in a time of 35.50. Susan Brannigan and the seven-year-old Imagine D’Argent took fourth when they clocked 36.85.

Cathal McKeon-Devaney proved that the time could be beaten when he crossed the line with the six-year-old Aran Gem in a time of 35.38 but with one fence down for fifth, while in sixth and taking the final qualifying ticket was Ella Duignan and the seven-year-old Wyndham Miss Ellie with four faults in a time of 33.11.

Results are based on SJI Live at the time of writing.