DUBLIN Horse Show pony classes will see Ireland’s most talented pony riders in action. As in previous years, nothing is a cert when it comes to winning a championship at the RDS and all those who booked their place have the chance to take a coveted title home.

In the 128cm division alone, 201 entries were recorded over the four RDS qualifiers that had 28 places up for grabs. Last year’s 128cm Champion Thomas Meagher made sure he was returning after he secured his qualifying place with Little Miss Big Time at the first RDS qualifier held at Sligo’s Ard Chuain.

One to watch after a great performance in the Spring League is Galway’s Charlie Flynn who will take his place at Dublin with Daffodil. He will also be in action in the 138cm with Knud Van Orchid’s and in the 138cm six- and seven-year-olds with Grand Creme Peccau, after qualifying on a high score of 77.5.

Some seasoned ponies will be returning to Dublin, including The Silver Legend who qualified with Georgia de Bromhead at the round at The Meadows. Georgia also qualified Dough Pride in the 128cm six- and seven-year-olds with Dough Pride. Georgia will be joined in the RDS by her sister Mia who qualified Billy Liar in the 138cm division. Back in the Flash will be under the command of Max Galway after qualifying at Cavan. Also returning is He’s A Touch of Magic after qualifying under the command of Ava O’Neill. Making his return to the RDS also is Kiltormer Ruby and his rider will be the ever-competitive Blathnaid Murphy.

No stranger to success at this level, Ella Rush booked her place at Cavan with Bellismo Spartacus and will no doubt have an RDS win in mind. Another great combination is Cliodhna McEvoy and she will have her sights on a title after qualifying the experienced Tynnan Tuttel Pip. Sarah Egan and DHA Summer will represent the Connaught region and will be looking to take home this championship having qualified at Barnadown.

138cm division

A championship winner on more than one occasion, Ruben Foley is among the hot favourites as he takes it on with Mayfly Green Peter after qualifying in the first round at Ard Chuain. Foley will also be in action in the 148cm division with Shamrock du Gite. A prolific winner on the circuit, Galway’s Conrad Sweeney will be gunning for a title with Warwick Ginger. No stranger to pressure, Robbie Sheehan (Bay Times) will no doubt have his eye on the ball and will be looking to bring the title home to Kilkenny. His sister Isobel will be in action in the 148cm with Hasty Road.

A familiar face in the winner’s enclosures, Elizabeth McCracken will be out to give it her best shot with Drumcauhey Diamond. A seasoned pony in the RDS, Hubba Bubba will be another to watch as he qualified with Connaught’s Padraig Howley Jnr at the round held at Barnadown.

Another pony well familiar with Dublin Horse Show is Ruby Brown and he will be under the skillful command of Cathal McKeon-Devaney after they booked their place in The Meadows.

148cm division

This division will be hard fought with very determined combinations on the start list. Athlone’s James Derwin booked his place at Ard Chuain with Rincoola Babog as did Kilkenny’s Chloe Hughes Kennedy with HK Zena. Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney is also one to watch as she takes it on with Lady Crown. Moloney also qualified in the 148cm with Pretty Little Dandelion at The Meadows. Kian Dore will be making his return to the RDS with Wineport Q Junior in this division and in the 148cm six- and-seven-year-olds with Heliot De Blonde.

One who won’t be fazed by the task ahead is Sligo’s Paddy Reape who secured his place with Valma De Fougnard. Another seasoned rider in the RDS is Katie Nallon and she will take it on with Balthazar De Bordes. Lily Tunney has been clocking up results this season and she will have a win in mind with the seasoned Fireman. Seanan Reape and Nora will be another hotly tipped combination having qualified at Ard Chuain. Reape also qualified JSB Tik Tok in the 148cm six- and seven-year-olds at Ard Chuain.

Six and seven-year-olds

In the young pony division, there are many talented combinations, and the pressure will be on them as they take to the hustle and bustle of the RDS. Last year these classes were some of the most watched in the pony division. In the 128cm division at Ard Chuain Edward Walsh and I Am Sonic impressed the judges finishing on a score of 73.5. At The Meadows, Ulster’s Liam Concannon and Creevagh Pringles took the winning ticket at The Meadows on an impressive score of 79. This pony already has clocked up almost 300 show jumping points. Josh Rogan took the winning ticket aboard WCE Hugo Me Go We Go on a score of 80.

In the 138cm section, there was very little between the judges’ scores at The Meadows. Taking the win was Munster’s Ryan Horgan and Orchid’s Serata. In the round at Barnadown, Leinster’s Saoirse O’Neill who took the first ticket with Carnhill Rascal.

At Cavan Equestrian, the winning ticket went to Caitlin Kelly and Lurganmore Little Rocket on a score of 67. This pony has almost 500 jumping points and was recently in the winnings at Cavan Home Pony International.

148cm

Kilkenny’s Alice Moloney will also feature in the 148cm six- and seven-year-old section as she took the winning prize at Ard Chuain with VMS Norman and she will be joined by fellow Leinster rider Annie Boland with Candy Coco. Another consistent combination on the circuit and one to note in this division is Wexford’s Lauren Adams and ASJ Samurai.

No stranger to the RDS, Kate Lynch booked her place at The Meadows with Lahorna You Two as did Sam Widger and Poynstown Little Angel.

(Footnote: Some pony riders also qualified other animals as per quota)