PEMBROOK Milenia and Francis Connors won the final RDS qualifier for seven and eight-year-olds in Galway Equestrian Centre last Wednesday. A double clear round and a jump-off time of 44.20 assured the combination one of the final five places on offer for the popular class.

Owned by Wrenwood Stables, the winning mare is by Diamant De Semilly out of a Lux Z mare Pembrook Lislea and was bred by The Irish Horse editor of the Irish Farmers Journal Joanne Fox and Dr Finbarr Mulligan of Kilmashogue Stud in Co Wicklow.

Second place went to last year’s winner of the final qualifier, Neal Fearon riding Cavalino 26, a gelding by Converter. Owned by Peig Van Amerongen, he was just seven last year and showed how he has matured by delivering a confident jump-off round in a time of 44.30. LVS Wizard (Cobra – Diamond Lad) and Philip McGuane finished in third place in 45.53. Winner of this year’s seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse Series final in Louth in April, this gelding boasts a consistent results record over the past three years.

Edward Doyle and his own Billy Anchor (Billy Mexico – Billy Congo) slotted in fourth place in 46.05 while the fifth and final place went to Dan Walsh and Centolina RB 47.74.

Niall Mullins and his own gelding Tink Again (Larino – Tinka’s Boy) left their victory in the five-year-old division in no doubt recording a very fast jump-off time of 34.24, well ahead of runner-up Eddie Moloney and Ballinteskin Leroy (SIEC Livello) in 41.02.

With the final nine qualifying places on offer, this was always going to be a highly competitive class and the jump-off did not disappoint.

Olive Clarke and Lackamore Storm (Kroongraaf – Indoctro) slotted into third place in 42.18 while Vincent Byrne and Cullintra Stud’s stallion Quantino (Quarz – Coriano) took fourth in 44.92.

Philip McGuane and Sally O’Connor’s mare Gently Gerdine NJ (Contact V/D Heffinck – Lux) took fifth place just ahead of ESI Nelson (Spartacus – Cavalier Royale) ridden by Peter Moloney in sixth.

The next three combinations finished just outside the winning line-up but still achieved a qualifying place. They were Liam O’Meara and the Boherdeal Clover mare Kannon Clover with a single time fault, Richard Kerins and the Pacino gelding Small Changes the fastest four-faulter and Derek McConnell and the Flex A Bill gelding Semper Fidelis.

It was another of Flex A Bill’s progeny that won the six-year-old final where there was also nine qualifying places on offer; Cruicerath Flexianna ridden by Eddie Moloney produced a jump-off time of 41.83 to secure the top-spot well ahead of runner-up Shane Dalton and the Clover Echo gelding Noel’s Horse in 44.09.

Dalton also finished in fourth place with his other mount Kashino (Cassino – Captain Clover) and sandwiched between them in third was Peter Smyth and CHS Krooze (Kroongraff – Cruising).

Marion Hughes’ mare HHS California by Heritage Fortunas and Maria Vozone took fifth and Shane McCloskey and Castle Courage Clover (Carragher – Marcuzzi) finished sixth.

PLACES

The remaining three qualifying places went to Glynnwood Uno Corland (Numero Uno- Corland) and Declan Egan, Kilderry’s Joint Venture (Russell – Cruising) ridden by Philip McGuane and Francis Connors and HVL Consun (Air Jordan Z – Cavalier Royale).

Catherine Thornton and Cashmans Diamond (Cashman – Diamond Serpent) achieved the highest score of 95.50 from the judges to win the four-year-olds. Some 11.50 points behind on 84 was second placed Amy O’Rourke’s Olympic Lux gelding A Lucky One and Tracy Walshe.

Kerry Taggert and Hamilliton (Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve) and John Mullingan riding Aughslane Leitrim Lass (Hannibal V Overis Z) occupied third and fourth after scores of 82.50 and 80.50 respectively.

Fifth place finisher Curraghgraigue OBOS Flight (OBOS Quality 004) and Katie McDonnell were awarded a score of 80 while sixth was Sir Johnson (Lancelot) and Shane O’Meara also on 80.

The seventh place and the final place in the Dublin four-year-old class went to Joyce Veld and the Lux Z gelding Corraghoe Bounce on 79.50.