Emer Bermingham

Action in the RDS qualifiers kicked off last Saturday at Barnadown with pony and young riders the first categories to contest for a coveted place at the Dublin Horse Show this July (20th-24th).

In the 128cms division, winner of the CWD Spring Tour, Francis Derwin took the honours riding Essenar Jinja Ninja, lodging the winning time of 37.63 seconds. No doubt Derwin will be looking to take another title having won the championship last year with Buachaill Baire.

Co Clare rider Rhys Williams followed closely behind as he lodged a clear with Little Ceaser in 37.94 for second place. No stranger to the main arena in the RDS, Toorboy Tommy booked his place when Aine Shortall piloted him to a clear in 38.15 for third. Niamh McEvoy and Sparkling Majestic Caeser occupied fourth place when clear in 38.50, ahead of Alex Finney and Ballyknock Master Roan, clear in 38.76. Aaron John Killoran completed the top six when he delivered a clear with Barrera Star Attraction in 40.73. Taking the last qualifying place in this division on the day was Eabha Cassidy and Clooncraha Lady, clear in 41.47.

Leading the victory lap in the 138cms division was Clare rider Robyn Moran when she recorded a clear with Western Oreo in 41.07. Winner of the 138cms CWD Spring Tour, Max Foley put in a strong challenge when he crossed the line fractions behind in 41.36 with Mayfly Green Peter. Patrick Kavanagh and Woodfield Rain was less than a second behind in 42.66 for third place Erin’s Crawford decision to play it safe with Claggan Supreme paid off as she lodged a clear in 46.02 for eventual fourth while Yiayan Evan’s clear in 47.81 with Lynncot Montana saw her take fifth place. Sixth place belonged to Aoibhin Lowry and Drumlin Lady while Caragh Charlton and Woodfield Super Star finished in seventh place and took the last remaining qualifying place of the round.

Following an impressive tour of duty at Wellington, Florida, Jack Ryan booked his place at the RDS with a win in the 148cms division. Riding Sixmile Water Blaze, he lodged the winning round of 41.48. Leading pony rider of the Dublin Horse Show, Jason Foley is set to make his return as he partnered Casino Royale to a clear in 46.71 for second. Third place was occupied by Harry Allen and Aughnashammer, clear in 46.94, ahead of Kerrie Kerr and Pauldarys Pocket Rocket, clear in 49.36.

Kildare rider Sean Monaghan slotted into fifth place when he incurred two time faults with Adja in 51.38. Fastest of the four faulters in 46.98 and occupying sixth place was Abbie Sweetnam and Dynamite Spartacus, ahead of Ciaran Nallon and Javas Lady Bug in 47.11.

In the 148cms six/seven-year-old class, Jack Ryan secured another red rosette when he clocked the winning round of 43.47 with the seven-year-old Shirsheen Sea Breeze. Winner in the RDS last year, Jack McKeon secured his first place with Ardara Lady, clear in 43.89 and then went on to claim fifth place with last year’s winner, Maumeen Miley. Third place was taken by Shane Moloney and Ballynoe Galway Girl, clear in 44.34 ahead of Jennifer Kuehnle and Tullibards Lucky Kate, clear in 45.55. Sixth place belonged to Isobel Fitzpatrick and Dirraw Caleb, clear in 47.08.

Young Riders

The young rider division proved equally as competitive with 14 places up to grabs in the three divisions on the day. In the 1.35m - 1.40m division little separated the four top places with all riders crossing the line within the 40-second barrier. Taking the red rosette was Patrick Hickey and Quandurina when clear in 39.29 seconds. No stranger to the RDS, Susan Fitzpatrick booked her slot when she was fractions behind with Isacorada in 39.31. Third place belonged to Michael Pender and Z7 Cordanos V when clear in 39.46. Anna Carway took a break from her studies to contest and didn’t go home disappointed as she took the last qualifying spot with Ajaccio, clear in 39.83.

The 1.25m-1.30m division was also hard fought with only four riders delivering double clears. It was a well worth trip from Florida for Patrick McNamara as he took the honours with Master Holiday, clear in 46.50. Shane Dalton booked his first ticket when he partnered Clonguish Vivaro to a clear in 49.38 for second place. Dalton was also fastest of the four faulters with Belfields captain in 48.17 to finish fifth and booked his second qualifying place in this section. Annemarie Dunne’s clear with Star Carrow Douglas in 50.59 secured her eventual third place. A familiar face in the pony ranks in the RDS, Tim MacDonagh secured his place when he slotted into fourth with Hollypark Galloway, clear in 50.77.

In the 1.10m-1.15m, Offaly native Laura Mealiff left nothing to chance in this division as she crossed the line with Jim Bolger’s Plamas almost four seconds faster than her closest rival in 45.52. Second place belonged to Roby Kelly and Ecapitola clear in 49.21, ahead of Callum Quinn and Andora, clear in 52.28. Australian rider based with Duffy, Jake Hunter and Knightfield Ella slotted into fourth place when they left everything standing in 53.31. Last of the double clear rounds and booking their place in the RDS was Thomas Fahy and Milchem Galaxy in 54.98.

Children on Horses

Charlotte Houston is no stranger to the main arena in the RDS having competed in the pony championships and this year she secured her place when she led the victory lap in the Children on Horses. Riding Butuela, she took the honours with almost four seconds to spare in 46.72.

Second place was claimed by Donal O’Connor and Ben’s Beauty, clear in 49.70, ahead of Molly Hughes Bravo and Quarrycrest Clover, clear in 49.75. Placed fourth last year in the championship, Charlotte took the last remaining place of the round when she finished fastest of the four faulters with Nonavic Temara in 52.29.