THE battle for a qualifying ticket to the RDS began last weekend with Cavan Equestrian playing host to the first round of pony, young rider and children on horses qualifiers. With places for the five-star show like gold dust, hopefuls travelled the length and breath of the country in a bid to secure a place. In the pony division, seven places are up for the taking in each round in the 128cms, 138cms and 148cms, while in the 148cms six/seven-year-olds, six places are up for grabs in each round.