THE pressure was certainly on pony riders last weekend at The Meadows EC as they had one last chance to book their place to the Dublin Horse Show and riders travelled from all over the country in a bid to secure their ticket.

In the 128cms, riders faced a tough challenge and, as a result, five combinations secured their place in the third round. Leading the victory lap were Marta Hughes Bravo and My Little Shadow. This combination put in a impressive performance in the final round when crossing the line with nothing to add in 35.96 seconds.

Although My Little Shadow is a new mount for Marta, having been previously campaigned by Isobel Hughes Kennedy, both parts of this combination have experience in the RDS.

Last year, Marta took third place in the 128cms Championship with Little Miss Big Time.

Lauren Murphy and Taggarts Express delivered the only other triple clear in 39.33 for second. Zuwena Barrett took her place in the line-up for another week as she piloted He’s a Touch of Magic into third when they finished fastest of the four-faulters in 36.32.

Seventh in the last round at Barnadown, Alice Wachman and Little Caeser improved on their performance when they slotted into fourth place when crossed the line carrying four faults in 38.31.

Leo Dunne and Wingland Heloise booked their spot in the timed round but did not contest this round and as a result, took fourth place. Fastest of the four-faulters in the second round (42.76) were Sarah Fitzgerald and Knockmenagh Rocco, ahead of Ryan Ruane and Mickybo who also incurred four faults but in 43.72.

138cms

Fourth in the round of qualifiers in Mullingar, Ryan Sweetnam upped the ante as he took the win in the 138cms. Riding Never Last Spartacus, he lodged the winning round of clear in 31.45.

Roisin O’Sullivan and Triplicate, fifth at Barnadown, were runners-up when they lodged a clear in 34.34. John McEntee and Mentos Lara occupied third place when they delivered a clear in 38.32, ahead of Niamh McEvoy and the Connemara Pony Glenford Clausa (CPBS), clear in 38.51.

Ellen Thompson and Lily Clover were clear in 40.21 for fifth, ahead of Aaron John Killoran and Seapatrick Total Eclipse, who were clear in 40.27. Ellie-Rose Cassidy and Ballywire Mirah were fastest of the four-faulters in the third round (42.10).

148cms

The 148cms as always proved to be very competitive with just seven combinations going clear in the second round. With the pressure on, just two triple clears where delivered.

Cora Sharkey and Whos Arco, winners of the qualifier in Mullingar, produced the winning round in 39.99 seconds. Sixth last year in the championship, this combination will be looking to improve on this performance.

Ruairi Aylward and Slaney Capitalist Cruise supplied the only other clear of the jump-off (40.54) for second. Pataire Crawford and Ardfry Skye matched the winner’s time (39.99), but it came at a price as one fell to the floor and she had to contend with third on this occasion.

Jason Foley and More Clover (fourth) incurred four faults in 46.32. Foley had a great show last year when a good performance saw him share the leading pony rider award with Tom Wachman.

Taking fifth place were Cian Goggins and Sligo Little James, with 12 faults in 44.66. Both Hugo McAlpine (Loughnatousa Ron) and Eve Donnelly (Rincoola Babog) did not contest the third round and they slotted into sixth and seventh places respectively.

148cms six/seven-year-olds

Combinations in this division proved well up to the task with six of the starters delivering triple clear rounds. Taking the honours on this occasion was James Connors Smyth riding the six-year-old Mount Ross Sprinter, the pairing crossing the line clear in 40.97 seconds.

Owned by Shane Hawkins, this Connemara gelding is by Lycon Cong Blossom out of Glencarrig Annie. Campaigned previously by J. Naughton, Mount Ross Sprinter has proved very consistent in his career to date and, since moving to Connors Smyth, has continued to clock up results.

Roby Moran and Parkroe Dundee (7yo) were second when clear in 43.32, and Molly Hughes Bravo was back to claim another rosette when she partnered MHS Limited Edition (7yo) into third, going clear in 43.61.

David Fleming and Rosie’s Bay (6yo), clear in 43.75, were fourth, ahead of Hugo McAlpine and Drumcashel Little Legend (6yo). Cornelius Brennan and Little Smithe (7yo) completed the top-six line-up when clear in 44.32.

All RDS reports that appeared in The Irish Field were based on results from venues. All places to the RDS will be confirmed and published by Showjumping Ireland.