AMATEUR riders in hope of gaining a place to the Dublin Horse Show travelled to Tipperary Equestrian last Saturday for the penultimate qualifying round. As in previous rounds, there was a large attendance with 123 combinations declared and, from those, eight triple clears were delivered.

In what was an exciting jump-off, 20 battled it out for the eight tickets on offer. The final round of qualifiers for Amateur riders will take place in Killossery on June 21st.

Leading the victory lap was category A rider Jennifer Holland. Early to go with her own Ballingowan Melody, she set the winning time of 35.01 seconds. Bred by Ann O’Grady, the 11-year-old mare is by Ringwood Harley Carol out of the Young Golden mare Sunshine Record. This will be the combination’s first time at the RDS in the amateur category.

Derrick Burke (AA) was almost six seconds slower with the 17-year-old Chippison gelding Tyreda Chip, clocking 40.44 for second place. No stranger to the RDS, having qualified last year, Joseph Moore (A) booked his place with Master De Reve, when he clocked 41.86 for third place.

Less than a second separated the next placing as Holly Morrissey (AA) and Ad Fundum D’Ersr Z clocked 42.66 for eventual fourth. This is a new mount for Morrissey, having taken over the ride this March from Hannah Connors Smyth.

Campaigned

Fifth place belonged to Alannah Perrin (A) aboard the Breda Perrin-owned six-year-old LKS Florence when they stopped the clock in 42.85 seconds.

This six-year-old mare was previously campaigned by Richard Kerins, with Perrin taking over the reins in October.

Slotting into sixth place was Gwyn Yemm (AA) and Doonini Z when they came home in a time of 43.56. This pairing will be making their return to Dublin Horse Show having qualified in 2024.

Little separated the next placings as Rachel McAlinden (AA) and the seven-year-old home-bred Knockash Flexi galloped home in a time of 44.81. Filling the last ticket spot was Jack Sheedy (A) and DSH Good Feeling with a third round clear in a time of 47.79.