PONY and junior riders were out in force at Barnadown as they got their first opportunity to book their place to the RDS National Championships in August. Sponsored by George Mullins Transport, classes were well supported over the course of last weekend.

128cm

Making his return to the RDS is the legendary pony Mickybo, after his rider Cian McMunn piloted him to victory in the 128cm, delivering a triple clear in 31.26 seconds. It was a competitive class with only five triple clears being delivered in the six-way jump-off.

Over a second slower and slotting into second place was Ruben Foley with The Silver Legend in 32.47secs. The next two placings were filled by Kilkenny riders, as Robbie Sheehan and Ravara Mohawk took third place, clear in 35.57, ahead of Alice Moloney and Is Fearr An Star, clear in 36.67.

Shay Healy and Little Caeser delivered the last triple clear in 39.02 for fifth place. Charlie Flynn and Penchwintan Glynle had two on the ground, but their time of 36.69 saw them slot into sixth place.

138cm

Winner of the 138cm decider was Limerick’s Kian Dore who delivered the fastest of the two double clears. Although two had booked a place in the final round of the decider, neither rider maintained a clean sheet. Riding Joe McMahon’s Western Oreo, Dore was fastest of the four-faulters third time out in 33.81. Conrad Sweeney and Sakama Chezni also incurred four faults, but in a slower time of 37.97 for second.

Katie Nallon was denied her place in the third round when she incurred a single time fault with Hubba Bubba, but her performance was good enough for the Mayo rider to secure third place. Lauren Adams and Dunlewey Redshank were fastest of the four-faulters in 35.66, ahead of Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Sparkling Boomastasica in 36.06 for fifth place. Fellow Kilkenny rider, Isobel Sheehan riding Bay Times also incurred four faults in the second round in 37.57 for sixth place.

148cm

Leading the victory lap in the 148cm division were Kilkenny’s Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Still Got Me, after she was fastest of six triple clears in 33.54 seconds. Athlone’s James Derwin added to his family’s haul when he took the runner-up spot with Rincoola Babog, clear in 34.16. The third ticket went to Katie McEntee and My Gypsy Rose who answered all the questions in 34.85.

Emily Moloney secured her place with Castlehill Titan when she crossed the line in 36.39 for fourth place. Kian Dore was back in the ribbons, taking fifth place with Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey, clear in 37.30. Completing the top-six line-up were Longford’s Kiera McGrath and LoughKey Camouflage, clear in 37.34.

148cm six- and seven-year-olds

As with the previous classes, the aged class went down to the wire with eight combinations delivering triple clears. Taking the win was Antrim’s Oliver Doherty with the seven-year-old Springhill Premier in 45.50.

Camryn Clarke and Oh My (6yo) were fractions behind in 45.54 for second, ahead of Naomi Carr and Ocean View Rambo (7yo) in 46.27.

Emily Moloney returned to the line-up when she took fourth with Ballyerk Dun and Dusted (6yo), clear in 47.87. Fellow Kilkenny rider, Robin Carey on Ice Cold Sherry VD Zuuthoeve (7yo) took fifth place when they came home in 48.27. A clear from Anna White and Tankardstown Dreamer (6yo) in 49.11 saw them take sixth place.