THE RDS will run qualifiers for its five Working Hunter Pony classes at this year’s Dublin Horse Show, which takes place from August 14th to 18th.

There was no qualification process previously, it was a direct entry process with a minimum entry requirement, apart from the starter stakes. Now all competitors will have to qualify.

According to Fiona Sheridan of the RDS, it is hoped that the qualifiers will improve the quality and standard of the competition overall, ensure that the competitors are adequately prepared for the courses they will meet at the RDS, and secure the interest and profile of the classes going forward.

Dates

Four regional qualifiers will be held in conjunction with the Irish Pony Society (IPS) commencing on Wednesday, May 29th, at Sceilig Sport Horses, Carrignavar, Co Cork, followed by Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co Westmeath, on Wednesday, June 19th, Moira Equestrian Centre, Co Armagh, on Thursday, June 27th, and Killossery Lodge Stud, Swords, Co Dublin, on Wednesday, July 3rd.

With five different classes per qualifier, there will be a category to cater for competitors of all ages, mirroring the existing Working Hunter Pony classes at Dublin Horse Show.

Details

The Working Hunter Pony Starter Stakes is open to riders who have not attained their 12th birthday by January, 1st, 2024, with ponies who are four years old or over but not exceeding 133cm.

In addition to the Starter Stakes there will be qualifier classes for the following:

With the exception of the Working Hunter Pony Starter Stakes, which is open to mares and geldings only, the other four classes are open to mares, geldings and stallions, who are aged four years old and over.

A maximum of 20 pony and rider combinations will qualify for each of the five Working Hunter Pony classes at the Show; five combinations per class, at each of the four qualifiers.

The classes are open to all competitors, regardless of whether they are IPS members or not. However, with the exception of the Working Hunter Pony Starter Stakes, in order to take part in the qualifiers, ponies must have achieved a Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) of one of the following: 50 IPS points, Grade C with Showjumping Ireland or Pony B with Eventing Ireland, and/or riders must have achieved the Irish Pony Club C Test.

In addition, pony and rider combinations must compete in a minimum of two Working Hunter Pony qualifiers in order to be deemed qualified for the Show.

Entries

Online entry for the Working Hunter Pony qualifiers will be available via the following link: www.itsplainsailing.com/club/ips. Entries must be submitted by 5pm on the Sunday preceding each qualifier.

The Irish Pony Society will run training in advance of the qualifiers to assist competitors with their preparation for all aspects of the competition, this training will be open and accessible to all who wish to avail of it. Further information will be available on the IPS website, www.irishponysociety.ie and further information on Working Hunter Pony qualifiers, such as the marking system, rules, fence heights, permitted tack etc will be available at www.dublinhorseshow.com