Ridden connemara classes

WE have no idea which entires will appear in the stallion class of the Berney Bros Saddlery ridden Connemara section in Ring 2 next Thursday but, thanks to the qualifying system introduced this year, we know the mares and geldings who are due to appear at the Dublin Horse Show.

The top five in the three classes, which were held at four Young Eventhorse Series venues in conjunction with the performance Connemara and Irish Draught qualifiers, went through by right with a sixth nominated as reserve should connections of a pony placed above it, decline to enter the final.

Most exhibitors appear in favour of the new system which certainly beats that of being the quickest to get online.

A different judge officiated each week with one expressing their disappointment in the standard of pony in the four and five-year-old class, fearing that this reflected the strong market in sales abroad of Connemara youngstock.

Qualification has long been the format for those who will compete in the Pony Club combined training championship finals (dressage in Ring 1 on Friday afternoon, show jumping in Ring 2 late the following afternoon) and for the Southside Contract & Carpet Cleaners equitation jumping championships.

This sees those in the showing section make a visit across the road to Simmonscourt where the action gets underway at 8.00am on Sunday.