THE pony show jumping classes are some of the most competitive divisions at the Dublin Horse Show and this year 108 combinations will do battle at the RDS.

In the 128cms division the hot favourite is surely last year’s winner Francis Derwin and his mount Buachaill Baire. This pair won the Mullingar qualifier, when they scorched home over three seconds faster than their closest rivals, and Derwin increased his Dublin chances when he qualified Essenar Jinja Ninja, the 128cms CWD Spring Tour champion.

Another one to keep a close eye on is Tom Wachman, who qualified PARC Epic at Mullingar and won at The Meadows. This duo won a qualifying round at Dublin last year and finished sixth in the championship.

The seasoned competitor Kilcreene Apollo, who won with Charlotte Houston in 2014, returns again this year under the command of the very experienced Katie McEntee, who also rides Star Spangled Banner. One from the same line as Kilcreene Apollo and another with lots of talent is Kilcreene Basil, ridden by Harriet Penfold.

Clare-based Rhys Williams has given himself a good chance by qualifying Corwebstuds Black Jack and Little Caeser. Williams came close to taking the title in 2014, having finished as runner-up to Charlotte Houston.

Another hot favourite is Max Foley and Remington Steal. This pony finished second with Jason Foley in 2012 so he know his way around Dublin, as does Some Journey, who is under the command of the strong competitor Alex Finney.

138cms division

There are some very strong 138cms combinations qualified this year and one to watch is Co Clare rider Robyn Moran and Western Oreo, winners at Barnadown and Mullingar. Moran has doubled her chances as she will also compete with My Emerald Star.

CWD Spring Tour victor Max Foley will also be putting in a bid in this category with Mayfly Green Peter. Another familiar face in Dublin, Leah Stack booked her place with Amber Leaf, who has qualified for Dublin every year since 2011.

Tom Wachman has also qualified with the experienced Fountain Ranger, while John McEntee and Hubba Bubba, and Katie Power and Bear Me in Mind, will all be making a tilt at the title.

148cms division

Two Warrington-based riders head the betting in the 148cms division. Jack Ryan booked his place at the RDS with Sixmile Water Blaze, as did Kayleigh Soden with Castlehill King and Boolagh Gypsy Boy. Soden and Castlehill King were part of the winning under-16 Irish Nations Cup team in Denmark, while Ryan was part of the team that took bronze in Belgium.

Leading pony rider of the 2015 Dublin Horse Show, Jason Foley has his eyes firmly on the title and he rides the very experienced More Clover.

Harry Allen has qualified both Aughnashammer, winner of the speed class at Hagen, and Acapella Z and they are on a roll having won the 125 cm in Hagen last month.

Both Foley and Allen were part of the Nations Cups-winning team at Hagen and they will be joined at Dublin by their teammates Cian Harrison (Knockeroghery Prince) and Oisín Aylward (Coppenagh Oliver Twist and Coppenagh Tom Sparrow).

Robbie Clancy is always a keen competitor and, riding Sambo Lino, he is a threat, while Emily Turkington and Sambo Lino certainly won’t bow to pressure.

148cms young ponies

The 2015 winning combination of Jack McKeon and Maumeen Miley are surely hot favourites in the 148cms six and seven-year-old pony class. McKeon will also ride Ardara Lady, winner of the qualifier at Barnadown.

Other combinations showing good form at the qualifiers were Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Keatingstown Hunky Dory and Emma McEntee with Saxton Freedam. Kate Derwin and the seven-year-old Springhill Rebellious are determined to win, as is Ciaran Nallon and He’s A Keeper. Nallon was part of the Irish team that finished third in Fontainebleau and Belgium.

Sean Foley and Moos were frequently placed in the qualifiers and should be in the final shake-up.