THE three ridden classes at last Saturday’s first qualifier for the Connemara section of Balmoral Show were judged by Denise Norton, whose top five in her final line-up in each class secured a qualifying ticket with the next two being selected as reserves.

In the opening four and five-year-old class, Norton had two ponies on her top score of 40.5 marks, North Cottage Silver JJ, who was ridden by Aoibhinn Ruane for Aoife O’Connor, and the Chloe Lacey-owned and ridden Ballylee Lemon, both five-year-old geldings who qualified for Dublin last August.

North Cottage Silver JJ, who was bred in Co Mayo by Eddie Kelly, is a bay by Abbeyside Silver out of the Frederiksminde Hazy Match mare Cloonmore Cailin Oir. The Slackport Prince-sired grey Ballylee Lemon, who was unplaced at Balmoral last May but was fourth in Dublin, was bred in Co Galway by Declan O’Flynn out of the Moy Hazy Cove mare Lemonfield Lass.

Behind them in the line-up were Ben Rainey with Claire Mackay’s four-year-old St Clerans Samson gelding Rockfield Rí (40), Katie Crozier riding Avril Kelly’s four-year-old home-bred Killaneen Boy gelding Dunran Boy George (39.5) and Emily Marnane with Debbie McCann’s Hollywood One 2 Watch (38.5), a five-year-old home-bred by Kippure Little Big Chief.

In the class for four-year-olds and upwards to be partnered by a rider under 16, Amira Curran’s bid to record a working hunter/ridden double on the day was foiled when she had to settle for second with her father Daryl’s nine-year-old Coolin America gelding Caherpuca Chappy (41 marks).

The winners, on 42, were Jodie McKay and the family’s Cregduff Delvin who were among the entries for the four and five-year-old class at Balmoral last May. The Michael O’Malley-bred 2022 gelding by Manor Duke is one of 17 foals registered with the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society out of the Carra Cashel mare Cregduff Fiona.

Qualifying ticket

Also booking a qualifying ticket by right were Maisie McCracken with her mother Sara’s 10-year-old Cornarone Hazy Lad gelding Lor Ruadh’s Ceallach (39.5) and Ruby Henderson riding Danny Quinn’s 16-year-old I Love You Melody gelding Danesfield Alex (38.5). Sophia Campbell claimed the final qualifying spot with her mother Penny’s nine-year-old Oxhill Mairtin gelding Oxhill Andreas (38.5), a combination who were sixth in their class at Balmoral last May.

There were 29 starters in the class for ponies aged six or over and for riders aged 10 or over, with Chloe Rooney and Mandy Boyle’s Fairyhill Markle (41.5) repeating their win here last year before going on to be fourth at Balmoral. The eight-year-old Monaghanstown Boy gelding was bred near Cleggan by John Mullen out of his Kingstown Fionn mare Fairyhill Madonna.

Jackson Laing, who had a busy couple of days at The Meadows, rounded off his weekend with a second-place finish in this class on Carol Murdoch’s eight-year-old Newgrange Lad gelding Doon Da Vinci (41), with whom he won twice and was placed third once in four outings at EI90 level late last summer.

Also placed in the working hunter section on Sunday, Katie Annett finished third with the nine-year-old Ardgaineen Rebel gelding Illane Duke (40.5), a place ahead of Laura Mulqueen and the 13-year-old Woodfield Sammy gelding Correal Champion, who were on the same score. The fifth ticket went to Faye Brennan and the eight-year-old Bohey Ronan gelding Bohey Ronnie (40).

The second Balmoral Connemara qualifier is taking place today at Hazeldene Farm, while the third leg will be held at Duffys Equestrian Centre in Claregalway, Co Galway on Sunday next, March 15th.