ON Saturday evening, the EOS It Solutions Arena in Simmonscourt was bustling, as 12 amateur riders battled it out in a bid to take the 2026 amateur title. The competition went down to the wire with nine AA riders and three A riders booking their places in the final. From those, just three booked their place in the jump-off round and all were AA category riders. Taking the win in the earlier qualifier and the title was last year’s and the 2024 Reserve Champion, Caitlin Duffy with Jockeyhall Midas Touch.

Speaking afterwards, Duffy said: “After two years of almost winning, I was over the moon to win it this year. It was always going to be a very fast class and going first is never easy. He is a super horse and is very consistent so I knew that he would be able for the turns. He is just an amazing horse, I am lucky to have him. I would like to thank Cathal McMunn and his yard for all the help that they give me, especially Cathal, who sourced the horse for me. I would also like to thank my parents for their support over the years.”

Owned by Anita Duffy, this 15-year-old gelding is well related by Baloubet du Rouet out of the Covers Diamond Boy-sired dam Clista. The pairing booked their place at the Dublin Horse Show by finishing seventh as the fastest four-faulter in the final qualifier.

Spectators didn’t have to wait long for the first clear of the class, as fifth to go Duffy and Jockeyhall Midas Touch found the key to the Arron McCusker-designed course. Joining her in the jump-off were Gwyn Yemm with Doonini Z and Vicky Curran aboard RNH Coco Chanel.

First to go, Duffy knew that she had to take every tight turn in a bid to take the win. Setting off strongly, she went inside the oxer to the double (vertical- oxer) and inside to the proceeding vertical, which she jumped at an angle before heading to the next vertical before the last oxer. This very clever riding saw her clock the winning round in 31.16.

Next to go, Gwyn Yemm didn’t hang about with Doonini Z, however despite a series of tight turns, a clear in 31.63 only saw them take the reserve title. Last year, Yemm was denied his place in the jump-off when incurring a single time penalty but this was not the case in 2026. The combination was certainly on form, as they had claimed second in the qualifier on Friday. They booked their ticket to the Dublin Horse Show after winning the round in Kernans. They went into Dublin on a positive note, having claimed the win in the Amateur Mini Grand Prix in Cavan. Vicky Curran put in a fantastic round with RNH Coco Chanel, clocking 30.42, but four faults meant that she had to settle for third.

Curran and RNH Coco Chanel would have also been considered hot favourites, having claimed sixth in the first qualifier. This pairing were also on form going into Dublin, featuring in the Leinster Leagues and the Summer Series.

Colm Fitzpatrick and Bluestone Diamond Fly were fastest of the four-faulters in the first round in 60.10 for eventual fourth. Earlier in the day, the pairing had claimed third in the second qualifier. The week prior to Dublin, this combination had also earned the runner-up spot in the Amateur class in Tattersalls.

Placed fifth in the morning qualifier, the pressure was on first to go Niccola Hall and Ladykiller.

They had one down in the first round, but their time of 60.15 was good enough for another fifth place. Rachel McAlinden also had one down in the first round with Knockash Flexi, but their time of 60.28 saw them take sixth place.

McAlinden didn’t go home too disappointed after she had won the qualifier on the Friday.