THE first of three RDS Dublin Horse Show qualifiers for young horses took place at The Meadows last Tuesday.

As usual, a large number of contenders lined out in each of the four age groups, all vying for the few ‘golden tickets’ on offer.

The first class in arena one was the seven/eight-year-old qualifier which began at 8am and 95 combinations lined out to tackle Tom Holden’s 1.40m track.

Just 15 managed to produce a first-round clear to progress to the jump-off. A further 27 had just one fence down, but probably more difficult to accept was the single time fault which cost Fra Connors and Robin Bingham’s Untouchable Cavalier (Untouchable 27 x Mullentine Cavalier) his place in the decider.

With just nine qualifying places available, the 15 had to battle it out against the clock. In the end, it was Karlswood Stables rider, Danish native, Karoline Kjaer and Ronnoco Jump’s seven-year-old Jump The Gun (I’m Special De Muze x Master Imp), bred by Ann Connors, who took first place in a time of 38.06.

GBBS Ltd’s BP Lion Man (Kannan x Guidam), bred by Kilmashogue Stud, was guided into the runner-up spot by Harry Wood in 38.86. Dermott Lennon and Jordan Coyle’s Belgian-bred Amazing Alf Z were third in 39.27.

Tommy Murray’s home-bred Patsy’s Favourite (Sligo Candy Boy x Mohill Cavalier Clover) was partnered to fourth place by John Mulligan in 39.35.

Former five-year-old Dublin champion LMG Enterprises’ Gone Girl VB (Emerald Van’t Ruytershof x Cobra) and Vincent Byrne slotted into fifth place.

Last year’s Balmoral and DAFM Studdbook Series six-year-old Champion, the Noel Cawley-bred Luisa (Luidam x Flex A Bill) was guided into sixth place by Leah Stack.

Another from the Broderick stable, Max O’Reilly Hyland and his own Dutch-bred Netflix VK took seventh.

Dermott Lennon earned his second qualifying spot when he rode his own and the breeder Gerry Marron’s Kinmar Right On Time (Aganix Di Seigneur x UNK) to eighth place.

The final spot went to Emma O’Dwyer riding Ann Connors’ Belgian-bred mare Chelone Z.