THE Meadows Equestrian Centre in Lurgan played host to the penultimate round of the RDS pony, young riders and children on horses qualifiers last weekend. As expected, the competition was intense as riders battled it out to book their place to the five star show.

128CMS

On Saturday, pony riders were put to the test in the four divisions. Kicking off the proceedings was the 128cms competition. A familiar face in Dublin, Senan Reape took the win when he partnered Valor to a triple clear in 39.41. It was a good day for the Reape family, as Katie McEntee slotted into second place with the Jonathan Reape-owned Little Miss Millie, clear in 39.86.

No strangers to Dublin, Lauren Murphy and Taggarts Express took third, when clear in 40.06. This partnership will be looking to improve on last year’s performance having made the final in the main ring.

Place third in the RDS Championship last year, Senan Reape and Mickeybo will be keen to have another shot at the title and a fourth place finish in the qualifier saw them book their ticket.

138CMS

In the 138cms division, Max Foley and Top Silvio Hastak, were fastest of just three double clears in a five-way jump-off in a time of 42.73 to claim victory. Foley is no stranger to the RDS, having competing there on many occasions. Last year, riding Mayfly Green Peter, he finished fifth in the championship.

Defending RDS Champion Alex Finney and Western Oreo were fractions being in 43.22 for second. The last triple clear was by John Martin Kirrane and Night Lady who completed in 47.57 for third.

148CMS

Leading the victory lap in the 148cms division was Mayo rider Orla Duffy. Riding Tirconaill Bluebell, she was one of only three double clears in a five-way jump-off, in a time of 38.50.

Opting for a safe clear paid off for Ellen Thompson and Sligo James, as she crossed the line with nothing to add in 43.61 for second. Sligo James will be well up for the challenge having won the championship last year under Cian Goggins’ command.

The last double clear was delivered by Natasha Kerr and Pauldarys Pocket Rocket, in 43.78 for third.

148CMS SIX/SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS

It was a well worth trip from Longford to Lurgan for Katelynn Kilkenny as she took victory in the young pony decider aboard the six-year-old Castlehill Titan.

A familiar face in the pony arena, John McEntee took the runner-up place with Dermott Lennon’s seven year-old Machno Carwyn-sired gelding Brooklyn Du Granit. Slotting into third was Sarah O’Donnell and the seven-year-old Ars Vivendi-sired Glor Tire Cruise.

YOUNG RIDERS

In the 1.10-1.15m division, Niamh McEvoy and Charlton Chloe took the win. McEvoy was chased home by Jack Geaney and Dion Alright, ahead of Seamus Hennessy and Ballynoe Carnival Girl, who filled third place.

Dublin Horse Show will be a busy week for the Hughes Kennedy family as another family member, Isobel Hughes Kennedy, booked her ticket with ESI Carvalho when slotting into fourth.

Victory in the 1.25m/1.30m division went to Lewis Trenier and Trickin Around. Katie Conlon and Interpreter slotted into second, ahead of Max Wachman and Cesha Old.

The battle for the 1.35m/1.40m win went down to the wire but in the end it was Abbie Sweetnam and Fergie who led the victory lap.

Jonathan Smyth and Charlton Clio took the runner-up spot. No stranger to the pressure of the qualifier, Ciaran Nallon wasn’t fazed by the challenge and partnered Pat Squibb’s Canant into third.

CHILDREN ON HORSES

Tyrone rider Niamh McEvoy took the win in the Children on Horses qualifier when she delivered the only triple clear with Charlton Chloe. Jack Geaney and Doon Alright retired in the third round, but a clear in the second round in 44.79 seconds saw him take the runner-up place.

Fastest of the four-faulters in the second round in 39.99 was Seamus Hennessy and Ballynoe Carnival Girl.