WHILE low entries countrywide have been the topic of conversation this year, the first of the Dublin Horse Show Junior/Young Rider event horse qualifiers held at Forth Mountain on Wednesday was so well-supported that it had to be divided for the first time.

Eleven combinations started in Section A where there was a comprehensive success for Co Wexford’s Matthew Kelly on board his father Edward’s Sibon W mare Fanlehane Nariah who has 42 Show Jumping Ireland points. The six-year-old, who was bred in Co Tipperary by Michael Walton, is out of the Castlecomer Q Rosaguile Q.

Harriet Dinnis finished eight points adrift with the similarly aged Moylough Bouncer mare Ardeo Bumble Bounce (293) on whom owner Georgina Magnier placed third three times in three outings at EI90 (Amateur) level last year. Their sole outing in EI00 company this season did not go so well.

The third and final qualifier in this section was Katie Crozier and the six-year-old gelding, Alison Berry’s chesnut son of Tullibards Bennys Legacy, Mountview Storyteller (291.5).

Conor Leahy established a good lead in the ridden display phase in Section B on Call On Cavalier, going on to complete on 292.5 points with the five-year-old Galant Cavalier gelding. This combination has finished fourth at both EI90 and EI100 levels this term.

The bay was bred in Co Galway by David Cummins out of the VDL Arkansas mare Meggy Mac.

Ciara Dennigan booked the only other qualifying spot when placing second on board Susan McDonald’s Kinard Ryan (288.5) who has 11 SJI points to his credit. The six-year-old Riyalan gelding was bred in Co Clare by Marian Russell out of the Cruising mare Fastnet Cruise whose previous progeny include the top jumping pony Glor Tire Cruise (by Ars Vivendi).