YOUNG riders and Children on Horses put their best foot forward in a bid to book their RDS Nations Championship places at Cavan Equestrian last Sunday.

In the 1.10m-1.15m, 60 combinations were looking to take five of the tickets on offer. Taking the win, when she delivered a triple clear in 30.02 seconds, was Aoibheann Power aboard the seven-year-old CSF Alfie.

There was very little separating the next placing as Sean Gormally came home in 30.54 with the six-year-old CHF Miss Stetter.

Claire Kavanagh, who was also riding a six-year-old in Clonagoose Sky Bouncer, took third when they clocked 32.51.

Fourth place belonged to Luigi Federico and the Paul Duff-owned Eloy, clear in 32.61, ahead of Jack Murphy, who was riding Valerie O’Reilly’s MHS Oklahoma and came home clear in 34.64.

Not content with fourth, Luigi Federico also took sixth with the five-year-old BEC Red Arrow, clear in 35.90.

1.25m-1.30m

This decider had the biggest numbers with 75 combinations going to post in a bid to take one of the five tickets.

Of the original starters, only four triple clears were delivered. Taking this win was Eoin Brennan riding the Richards Bourns-owned Ninparo, when they stopped the clock in 38.46.

Stephen Gibbons and Clooncalagy Beauty followed closely behind in 38.87 for second, ahead of Sean Foley and the Sheikh Samir Mirdad-owned Mirdads Zamzaam, in 39.33. Last of the triple clears was Hugo Harty and the eight-year-old Young Flex, in 41.35.

Michael Morrin posted the fastest time with Gamble On Quality, clocking 37.98, but it came at a price as he had one on the floor and had to settle for fifth place.

Ellen Thompson also had one on the ground with Flyhigh Mable, but in the slower time of 38.55 for sixth place.

1.35-1.40m

Just 19 combinations battle it out in this division and of those, four maintained clean sheets over the three rounds.

Taking the win was Seamus Hennessy and King Louis AE when they galloped home in 39.93. Hennessy’s closest rival was Ryan Sweetnam, who crossed the line in 40.36 aboard Quisto.

Slotting into third place was Robbie Healy and KMS Clintland, clear in 44.43, ahead of Killian Ryan and Uranus D’Or in 45.28.

Ciaran Foley had his foot to the floor with Kingsborough Verdiva, but four faults in 35.27 saw him slot into fifth place, ahead of Orla Quealy and Gentleman-Time on four faults in 40.48.

Children on Horses

In the Children on Horses decider, 22 combinations went to post and from those, three triple clears were delivered.

Fastest of those and taking the win was Annie Boland and Kahlua Du Karl, clear in 34.08. Almost a second behind was Mary Fitzgerald and La Grande Z, in 35.11, ahead of Ciara Geaney and Doon Alright in 39.89.

Isobel Sheehan and Ahare Olympic Flemmencio put in a very fast time of 32.33, but a pole on the floor meant she had to settle for fourth place.

Ruben Hall and Hillviews Rough Diamond also had just one down, but in the slower time of 32.52 for fifth.

Hall also took sixth place with MMS Loreal when she had four faults in 34.73 for sixth.