ON Sunday, Young Riders and Children on Horses had their last opportunity to secure their place to the Dublin Horse Show and, without a doubt the pressure was on, but competitors rose to the challenge with all classes going to three rounds.
In the 1.35m/1.40m final decider, 44 contested the class and seven contested the third and final round for four qualifying places on offer. Taking the victory was the 2024 pony European champion Jack Kent, when he partnered Parco Sport Horses’ Indiana Jones to a clear in 33.05. Bred by N Wolters-Lennan, the 12-year-old gelding is by Zorro.
Kent’s closest rival was Timmy Brennan, when he came home with nothing to add in 34.52 aboard the Paul Schockemöhle-bred Coblue Ps. Kristina Sumina took third with Bellevue Celestial when they came home with a clean sheet in 34.86.
Leinster riders took the next two placings, when Annie Boland delivered a triple clear with Calisto Blanc in a time of 35.57, as did Abbie Oakey and Moningo-D Van ‘T Heyveld, but in a slower time of 40.37. Completing the top six in the line-up was Katie Nallon and CW Luiboutain when they were fastest of the four-faulters in 30.77.
1.25m/1.30m
A total of 97 went to post in the 1.25m/1.30m class and eight proceeded to the third round with six delivering triple clears. A familiar face in the RDS arena, Katie Nallon took the first ticket with Bob Sweeney’s Mulvin Cliodam when they galloped home in 35.17. Nallon was chased home by Leinster rider Ava Daly when she stopped the clock in 37.96 aboard John Clarke’s Corraghoe Red.
A clear from Patrick Fleming and Ballinaguilkey Fusion Exchange in 38.15 saw them take third place. Slotting into fourth place was Alice Wachman and Thijssen Sr Z in 39.24, while in fifth was Bridin Doyle and Boleybawn Rigaletto when they left everything standing in a time of 43.55. Last of the clears and taking sixth place was Lily P Slattery and Captain Candy Man in a time of 45.20.
1.10m/1.15m
The 1.10m/1.15m saw the biggest entry with 103 combinations battling it out for five places on offer at the RDS. Leading this victory lap was Connaught rider Naomi Carr when she delivered a triple clear in a time of 33.98 aboard the five-year-old Emerald Kali.
Naomi Carr and Emerald Kali, winner of the 1.10/1.15m Young Rider RDS qualifier at Barnadown \ Paul Dowd jumpinaction.net
Less than a second behind was Lucy Morton and Jungfrau Du Thot (6yo) in a time of 34.64. The Sheehan family added another ticket to their results, as Isobel Sheehan took third place with the six-year-old Teddy Stardust when clear in 35.39. Little separated the next placing as Caoimhe Treacy and the six-year-old Hz Dido came home clear in 35.77 for eventual fourth, while in fifth was Munster rider Mille Jeffers and Brownstown’s I’m So Fancy (6yo), clear in 35.80.
A clear from Jack Moloney and Lahorna Princess (7yo) in 36.53 saw them take sixth place.
Children on Horses
It was a worthwhile journey from Tipperary for Lucia Keane, as she took the win in the Children on Horses decider when she partnered Elia to a triple clear in 32.89. Joe Widger and Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z claimed the runner-up spot when he was less than a second behind in a time of 33.85.
A clear from Honor Bills-Everett and Godiva Quality in 34.29 saw them take third place. Placed fifth in the last qualifier in Ard Chuain, Yelena O’Keeffe secured her place when she partnered Kilfarissey Krystal to a clear in 36.90 for eventual fourth. Pippa Moore proved out of luck when she had one on the ground with Scooby Bee in 32.87 for fifth, while in sixth was Gavin Doyle and Helsinki with four faults in 33.09.
This report is based on results from SJI Live. All qualifying places to the RDS will be confirmed by Showjumping Ireland.