BARNADOWN Showgrounds hosted the second round of the Pony, Young Rider and Children on Horses RDS qualifiers last weekend, attracting some of the country’s most promising young show jumping talent as competitors battled for coveted places at the prestigious Dublin Horse Show.

With large entries in each division, jumping began early with the 128cm qualifier, where 61 combinations battled it out over three rounds for the seven places on offer. The competition was intense, with 11 booking their place in the third round and 10 delivering treble clears. Taking the first ticket was Connaught’s Grace Mellett aboard Jamie Costello’s seven-year-old, Bronheulog Ruben, crossing the line in 30.12. Over two seconds behind, but filling the runner-up spot, was Jack Derwin on the eight-year-old Deelside Dolly in 32.18. Munster riders filled the next two spots, with Lily Lennon and Woodside Jerry-Lee coming home in 32.41 for third, while in fourth was Emily Mason and Mister Topgun, in 33.83. Leinster’s Saoirse Murphy and DHS Summer took fifth, when they stopped the clock in 34.70, while Mairead Kate Barry and the eight-year-old Loggy Star Lubelie, slotted into sixth, coming home in 35.34. Ulster’s Kara McLaughlin and Linde Hoeve’s Ricardo claimed the last ticket when clear in 35.68.

RDS bound

Just 26 combinations contested the 128cm six/seven-year-old class, with three places up for the taking. Little divided the top two placings, with Gracie Kelly and the seven-year-old Lolly Do taking the win on a total of 161.5 points. Second place was awarded to Harry Hannaway and the six-year-old Bryngwennol Captain Tom (6yo) on 161 points. Taking the last ticket was Jennifer Meagher and the seven-year-old Janpete Top Cat on 155 points.

138cm

A total of 58 went to post in the 138cm section and saw only one round of jumping, with only seven delivering clears. It was another win for Munster as Patrick Leddy and Glenara Tiger Roll was the fastest of those in 66.80 seconds. Ulster’s Elsie Tunney and Lurganmore Little Rocket took the runner-up place, when she came home in 67.91. Willow O’Connor and Tullaree Casanova claimed third, clocking 69.09, while in fourth was Chloe Clarke and Skybreaker Van Den Kievit, in a time of 70.93. Runner-up in the 128cm championship last year, Annie Hughes Kennedy booked her place with her new pony Hobby De Niost, coming home in 72.62. The next two places were filled by Munster riders, with Abbie O’Connor and JSH Junior taking sixth, coming home in 73.56. Winner of the qualifier in Mullingar with Knud Van Orchid’s, Lucia Keane and Alto De Foughnard took seventh place when they stopped the clock in 74.43. Keane had already booked her place, but no other clears were delivered in this round.

Harvey Oscar Foley and Yuki (7yo), winner of the 138cm six/seven-year-olds, with Johnny O'Connell at Barnadown \ Claire Nolan jumpinaction.net

Great display

Winner of the 138cm Championship last year with Mayfly Green Peter, Harvey Oscar Foley will be making his return to the RDS, as he took the win in the 138cm six/seven-year-olds, putting on a great display with Aine Martin’s seven-year-old, Yuki to finish on a score of 164. Gracie Kelly took second place in this section, finishing on a score of 158.5 with the six-year-old Goldengrove Telltale on a score of 158.5. The last place in this section went to Lauren Macmahon on the six-year-old Loughwell Lucas on a score of 154 marks.

148cm

The 148cm decider also only saw one round, with just eight combinations delivering clear rounds from a field of 51. Taking the win, when clear in 69.33, was last year’s reserve champion Sam Widger and Poynstown Hero, when they clocked 69.33. Last year, this pair took sixth place in the age class. Widger also placed eighth riding FEE Lumee D’Hella, so with only seven places on offer, the qualifier could be decided over the one round.

Fellow Munster rider, Jack Dore and K-Little Hero took second when they clocked 69.87, while Leinster rider, Lucy McCarthy and Gorm took third, stopping the clock in 71.46. A familiar face in Dublin Horse Show, European Bronze medallist Charlie Flynn and HK Zena took fourth, coming home in 72.26, while in fifth was Tom Geary aboard Richard Dalton’s eight-year-old Coolcronan Class, in a time of 72.49. Leinster’s Daniel Bolger and Sallybog Willow slotted into sixth, crossing the line in 72.57, while Connaught’s Padraig Howley and Lahorna You Two took seventh, with a clear in 72.68.

Intense

The 148cm six/seven-year-old section had six places up for grabs and the competition was intense, as it went to three rounds. Munster riders took the first two places, with Ellie Rogan and the six-year-old Castlelawn Moonshine coming out on top when delivering a treble clear in 27.82. Little stood between the next placing, as Charlie Flynn and the seven-year-old Quannan R-sired mare, Royal Remark kept all the poles in place in 28.75. Leinster’s Calum Duignan and the Connemara April Shadow took third with a clear in 31.19. Duignan won’t be fazed by this pressure, having claimed fourth with the six-year-old Parkroe Jane in the Championship last year. Ted Fagan had another good day as he took fourth with Deryn Mackay’s Caricello-sired seven-year-old Little Miss Susie, with a clear in 32.31. Ulster’s Juliana Nelson and the Tyson-sired, six-year-old home-bred It’s A Kind of Magic, kept all the poles in their cups in 32.46 for fifth place. Completing the top six line-up was Connaught’s Padraig Howley and the seven-year-old Sligo Breeze, with a clear in 33.25.

*Please note, these results are based on the standings on the day, places will be confirmed by the SJI and the RDS.