SUNDAY saw young riders and Children on Horses battle it out for their golden ticket to August’s RDS Dublin Horse Show at the second qualifier at The Meadows Equestrian in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

In the 1.25-1.30m division, a total of 86 combinations went to post with seven making it through to the jump-off.

Taking the win after delivering a triple clear in a time of 47.51 was Kilkenny’s Emily Moloney and Capitol Cruise. Anna White also kept the poles in place with Petite Pleasure Van ‘T Ruytershof but in a slower time of 51.41 for second place.

A clear from Jamie Hargaden aboard Gernon GS saw them secure third place, ahead of Charlotte Harding and King Diamond who was also clear in a slower time of 52.42.

Alice Wachman put in a fast round with Thijssen SR Z, but had a fence down, however she secured fifth. Completing the top six line-up was Shauna Heslin and Katesbridge Arabella, finishing on 15 faults in a time of 64.75.

1.35m-1.40m

Victory in the 1.35m-1.40m also went to a Kilkenny rider with Molly Hughes Bravo and HHS Fortune delivering the winning clear round in 43.20, the fastest of only two clears in the 12-horse jump-off. Dublin rider Isabel O’Brien was just over a second slower with Javas Gucci in 44.28 for second.

Cavan’s Camryn Clarke and Conto De Reve were fastest of the four-faulters in the second round in 37.34 for third, ahead of Mackenzie Healy and Domar Van De Neerheide, who also had one down in a time of 38.80 and took fourth place.

In fifth place was Stephen Gibbons and Cassius Z, carrying four faults in 41.67, while in sixth place was Eoin Brennan and Limestone Briarhill Lui (0/4 42.64).

1.10m-1.15m

Waterford rider Michael McGrath led the victory lap in the 1.10m-1.15m young rider section, which is restricted to horses aged five to seven. He partnered the five-year-old Abbey Lagans to a triple clear in 42.16 to the first of five qualifying tickets. There were 10 triple clears from the 82 starters.

Also maintaining a clean sheet in a time of 43.13 was Lucy Morton and Cassclo Beach (7yo), for second. Accounting for third place was Ellen Kenny and Casitelle W (7yo), clear in 44.47, while in fourth was Ellen Thompson and LMK Monopoly (6yo), clear in 45.53.

Charlotte Harding took fifth when clear in 46.02 with Lisnamorrows Vancouver (6yo), ahead of Siobhan Doyle and Dante DV Z (6yo) in sixth.

Children on Horses

Another tough section with just four places on offer at each qualifier, the Children on Horses class was won by Kilkenny’s Brona Keane riding Quality Diamond. Keane was one of three double clears in a time of 40.19.

Keane was chased home by Molly Gleeson who lodged a clear with CHF Gem Leaf in a time of 41.03. Slotting into third place was Sam Widger and Grantstown Charmer, clear in 42.37.

Kacey-lou Carberry lodged the fastest time of the day with Brandonview First Edition and, despite four faults, they finished fourth. The horse previously competed at the show in the young horse classes with her father, retired National Hunt jockey Paul Carberry.

Harry Rush also had four faults with Beach Buggy to take fifth place ahead of Honor Daly and Pacco Lion in sixth.

The above reports are based on provisional results at time of going to press. SJI will confirm RDS qualification results.