THE first round of pony, young rider and children on horses RDS qualifiers got underway last weekend at Cavan with combinations travelling nationwide in a bid to book their place to Dublin.

In the 128cm, 138cm and 148cm, there were seven tickets for the taking, while in the six and seven-year-olds, there were just six tickets is to be filled in each round.

In the 128cm division, some very seasoned ponies and riders booked their place. Taking the win was Robert Russell riding the 16-year-old Kilcreene Apollo, who finished fifth in the 2018 Dublin Horse Show Championship. Bred by the Smithwick family in Co Kilkenny, this gelding made his first RDS appearance back in 2009.

Ben Cassidy put in an impressive performance with Kilcraathan Princess to secure second place. Taking third place was Juliette McIntosh on Twin Cam. Following an impressive performance in the Plusvital Spring Tour, Paddy Reape continued his good show of form when he partnered Adrian Gilmartin’s Heartbreaker into fourth. Josh Duffy didn’t hang about with Scarletts Fireball and secured fifth place. Winner of the 128cm in Balmoral for two years in a row, Alanna Fagan slotted into sixth place with the very experienced Kiltormer Ruby.

Another RDS veteran, last year’s champion Mickey Bo took the last ticket when he was partnered into seventh place by Senan Reape.

Consistently placed in the Plusvital Spring Tour, Sarah Fitzgerald’s experience showed as she partnered Dooneens Captain Classic to a win in the 138cm decider. Last year, Fitzgerald, with a strong performance in the 138cm championship, was third with Future Memories and sixth with Dooneens Captain Classic.

Part of the squad in Opglabbeek which finished third in the Nations Cup, Tom Wachman was back in the ribbons, taking second with Unsphinx D’Hurl ‘Vent. Winner of the 128cm championship in 2017, Wachman will be looking to add another title to his tally this year at Dublin.

Amy Wood was close behind with Furryhill Mister Pip for third, ahead of Oliver Doherty and Springhill Copper Beech in fourth. A familiar face in the RDS, Maisie Adam was fifth with Riot Del Pegulil, while filling sixth was Coen William and the ever reliable Sligo Lux to Queeney. Taking seventh place was Annie Gibson with Shenandoah Sadie.

GREAT SEASON

In the 148cm division, Athlone’s Francis Derwin and the eight-year-old stallion Rincoola Babog secured the win. This combination is enjoying a great season with victory in the Plusvital Spring Tour at Portmore and they were part of the Irish squad at Opglabbeek and finished ninth in the Grand Prix last month.

Winners of the 148cm last year, Max Foley and the 16-year-old stallion Pumkins Pondi will return to the RDS having finished in second place. Foley was also in action last month in Opglabbeek and formed part of the team that finished third in the Nations Cup.

Ella Clancy chased Foley home aboard Fernando for third, ahead of Ellie-Rose Cassidy, who was riding Paula Williams’ Claggan Gypsy Delight. Accounting for fifth place was Caragh Charlton and Kosmo Van Orchid’s and completing the top six line-up was Yiayan Evans aboard Marsh Kyfe Equestrian Centre’s Powerstation. Taking the last place in this round was Rhys Williams with Clare Hughes’ Keatingstown Hunky Dory.

Leading the victory lap in the 148 six and seven-year-old decider was Conor McLaughlin riding Michael Duffy’s Luitta. A six-year-old, the mare is by Luidam Elite out of Happy Ending. Jack Brennan filled second place with the seven-year-old Mr Pretender-sired Alonsa, ahead of Isobel Hughes Kennedy and the six-year-old Romanov-sired gelding Romabout. No stranger to the pressure of RDS qualifiers, Niamh McEvoy, riding Aine O’Callaghan’s seven-year-old by I Love You Melody-sired Glenford Melody, took fourth. Slotting into fifth place was Darragh Sharkey aboard the seven-year-old Flexible-sired gelding IFlex. Sixth place was occupied by Harriet Penfold on the six-year-old Caretino Glory-sired Carlotta.