THE penultimate round of the Amateur Dublin Horse Show qualifiers took place last Saturday at Galway Equestrian. As expected, there was a big start list with 98 going to post in a bid to secure one of the eight tickets up for grabs.

The standard was as high as the previous rounds, with 19 going through to the final third round against the clock. In the end, AA category riders claimed five of the eight places and the top six in the line-up came home within 34 seconds.

Claiming the first ticket was Nathan Kenny (AA), when he partnered Lachain Princess to a triple clear in 31.70 seconds. This combination has been on form of late, claiming a win in the 1.10m Derravarra Qualifier and the final Amateur Championship in Mullingar CSI2* the week prior. Bred by Tom Lenihan and owned by Nora Browne, the 11-year-old mare is by Mermus R and is out of Ciaras Princess.

Kenny was chased home by Tara Brandon and the eight-year-old Bec Phoenix, when they kept all the poles in place in 33.03. This combination had got through to the third round in Kernan’s, but a pole on the ground denied them a ticket then. They have featured in the Flexneb By Nortev Connaught league, taking the runner-up spot in Duffy’s.

Sarah Kate Donevan (AA) and Diamond Infinity came close to catching Brandon, coming home clear in 33.04 for third place.

Winners of the 1.20m jump-off class in Newcastle West, Jody Townend (AA) and JT Calover Junior put in a great performance, finishing fractions of a second behind, coming home with nothing to add in 33.47 for eventual fourth.

Kate Murray (A) was the best of the A category riders, delivering a clear aboard her own Crynolisk Feisty Blue, in 33.61 for fifth.

This will be the combination’s first time to compete at the Dublin Horse Show.

Double delight

A clear from Linda Gillespie (AA) and her own Archibald in 33.71 secured them sixth place. It was a double delight for Gillespie, as she bred Archibald, who is by Keanmore Diamond Clover and out of the Cruising-sired dam, Comic.

Fiona Brady and Kilrainey Firefly will also be making their first appearance in the Dublin Horse Show, as they slotted into seventh when they left everything standing in a time of 34.03.

The last of the tickets went to Ulster Young rider, Jennifer McCurry and LGS My Echo, with a clear in 34.28. This combination was unlucky in the round at Killossery, having one down in the last round with a very fast time.