THE Meadows Equestrian Centre offered competitors a second chance at qualification for the Dublin Horse Show last Wednesday with high numbers once again presenting in the hope of qualifying for the four, five, six and seven and eight-year-old classes.

While the four-year-old class did see a drop in entries from the previous week, some 78 combinations started with 32 of these coming back to the second judged round. Ensuring consistency in the judging process throughout the qualifiers, the Belgian Warmblood Society’s Herman Van Den Broeck and KWPN inspector Henk Dirksen were once again charged with assigning the seven qualifying places.

The top three proved a close contest but it was Brian O’Malley’s Hillside President, piloted by Ita McDermott, which prevailed when awarded top marks of 77.50. Bred by Co. Down’s Patsy Toner, the gelding is by Clinton out of the Albinor-sired Hillside Adella.

Michael Murphy’s mount Cillbhrid Bossy (O.B.O.S Quality x Master Imp) took the runner-up position on a score of 77, while only a point behind him was Paddy O’Donnell and Defiance Du Murier (Numero Uno x Come On). The five-year-old class once again showcased an exceptionally high standard of jumping with 13 of the starting 81 making it through to the third clocked round. Ten of these provided triple clear rounds meaning that time played the deciding factor for the nine available RDS places.

Darragh Ryan, fresh off a hat-trick of wins at Barnadown, came out in pole position once again, this time with Quinnton, setting the time to beat at 31.53 seconds. Owned by Caledonia Stables the mare is sired by Plot Blue and is the first progeny of Greg Broderick’s former Grand Prix mount Mrs Quinn (Laughtons Flight x Sky Boy).

Michael Pender filled his five-year-old quota and the next two placings in the line-up. Making it home in 33.43 was HHS Catwalk (Cit Cat x Clover Echo) while Javas Gucci (Luidam x Cruising), a recent addition to Marion Hughes’ Kilkenny-based yard, completed in 33.56.

The six-year-old class proved less difficult to secure a qualifying place when only eight combinations completed the second round without fault. The final and ninth qualifying position went to the fastest four faulter. Despite repeated attempts to secure full results for the class, they were unavailable by the time we went to press.

Clem McMahon claimed the top spot in the seven and eight-year-old class with Hilton Hastag. With 21 making it through to the jump-off, McMahon had maximised his chances to finish in the top five qualifying places when coming forward triple handed. McMahon had a clear victory when logging a time of 38.53 with the Hermes de Reve-sired seven-year-old. McMahon also took fourth position in the line-up with the eight-year-old Hilton Pacifico (Pacino x Aldatus Z).

Philip McGuane took the blue rosette with the eight-year-old Judas VD Donkhoeve (Ugano Sitte x Mr Blue) recording a time of 39.31, while Stacey Babes booked her Dublin ticket when making it home in 39.73 with the eight-year-old stallion Quilimbo (Quidam de Revel x Limbus).