David Abbott

HIGHLAND Lodge Riding Club will make a return visit to the Dublin Horse Show in July after the club won the south west qualifier of the Horseware Team Show Jumping Championship for the second successive year.

Nine teams representing five clubs from around the region contested the decider at West Cork Equine Centre on a rather dismal day.

After the opening round only North Cork Riding Club managed to finish on a zero tally while Highland Lodge pursued closely behind on four penalties.

North Cork, however, dropped down to second place after they racked up 16 penalties in the second round but this was good enough for second place overall.

Highland Lodge added nothing in the second round after Louise Hogan (Ringwood Sahara), Chiara Ruini (Una Dolce Vita) and captain Maria Blomen (All Dun Up) produced clear rounds to secure their return visit to Dublin in July. Sinead Valley completed the quartet on Candice.

North Cork will have another opportunity to qualify at the wildcard qualifier at the Riding Clubs Festival at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois next month.