AMATEUR riders had their first chance to book their place at the Dublin Horse Show last Monday at the Nutriscience qualifiers in Killossery. With a series of amateur shows prior to this first qualifier, amateur riders and their horses were fit and ready for the challenge. There was a big entry, with 141 combinations battling it out over three rounds for the eight places on offer. As expected, the class was hard fought and, to be in with a chance, competitors needed to be clear and within the 43-second mark.

Claiming the golden ticket was Nicole Lynch (AA) when she partnered the Carrickanee Sporthorses Ltd-owned My Velvet Lady to a clear in 38.59. Bred by George Orr, this 13-year-old mare is by Blue Velvet N and out of Rose of Moray. This combination went into this qualifier on a positive note, having claimed the 1.10m class at the Cavan April Horse Championships. They also took second place in the Amateur Balmoral Qualifier in Mullingar in April and a win in the 1m class in Kernans.

A familiar face in the amateur line-ups, Colm Fitzpatrick and Bluestone Diamond Fly was only fractions behind, with a clear in 38.66 for second place. Similarly, Fitzpatrick came off the back of a good result, claiming the win in the The Ingrid Kane Grand Prix Inc. Farmers Journal A Qualifier.

Jennifer Holland (A) also remained within the 39-second mark aboard her own Ballingowan Melody, delivering a clear in 38.92 for third. This combination has been consistently placed at this level and recently took fifth in the Power and Speed at Barnadown Ingrid Kane Amateur show.

A clear from Nicola Hall (A) and her own Ladykiller in 39.79 saw them take fourth place when they clocked 39.76. This combination has a solid record at this level, with wins up to 1.10m prior to the qualifier.

Ciara Kelly (A) was early in the draw, but she wasn’t fazed as she delivered a clear with Juan Amigo in a time of 41.17 for fifth place. This duo has proved their form of late, with a runner-up place in the Circulo/Naps National Amateur League.

Rachel McAlinden (AA) accounted for sixth place with her own home-bred eight-year-old Knockash Flexi, with a clear in 41.53 for sixth. This combination has certainly done the groundwork, delivering clears at this level since February this year.

Accounting for seventh place was Jessie O’Flynn (A) and MMS Loreal, when they kept all the poles in their cups in 41.82 for seventh. The pairing also delivered results at the Cavan Winter Festival, taking fifth in the 1.10m class.

Taking the last place on the day was Lisa Hitchmough (AA) and Jessica 55, when they came home with nothing to add in 42.74. This was the second good result for this pairing, having claimed sixth in the 1.20m in Millstreet Welcome Tour and, before this, went clear in the 1.15m in the Mullingar Easter Horse Festival.