IN the young rider division, many took advantage of The Showjumpers Spring Tour and competitions abroad to hone their skills ahead of the qualifiers. This year, young riders continued to come out on top at home and abroad and their recent success at the European Championships is a good indicator of the level of competition to expect at Dublin. Despite their wins abroad, the Dublin Horse Show is one of the most important dates on the calendar and it’s worth noting that all the bronze medal under 18 winning team have qualified in one or more division.

1.10-1.15M

Tipperary’s Jack Ryan got the ball rolling in the 1.10m division when claiming the opening round at Cavan with WV Verdigo. Since then, this combination has continued to clock up the results at 1.20m level. Jodie Creighton’s calculated approach with Hylight saw her take third and book a place in the opening round. Creighton has put up mileage since qualifying, clocking up a series of results up to 1.30m.

At Maryville, victory went to Darren Irwin on VDL Pacino Time when they delivered the only triple clear. This combination has proved very consistent up to 1.20m.

In Barnadown, James McOwan took the win with HHS Fort Lauderdale. Although a relatively new partnership, they have clocked up a series of good results up to 1.20m.

Two riders clearly on form after excellent performances in Balmoral International were Jason Foley and Casey Phair. Foley finished fifth in the Grand Prix at Balmoral and went on to lead the victory lap with Beach House at The Meadows qualifier. He also secured tickets to Dublin in the young horse classes.

Placed second in the National Grand Prix in Balmoral, Casey Phair took another second at The Meadows aboard Handsome. In the opening round at Cavan, it was Emma McEntee riding Cinnickroodnoot who took the win and went on to take fifth in the 1.35m Grand Prix at Balmoral International.

1.25-1.30M

Familiar faces in Dublin having finished second in the Championship last year, Ciaran Nallon and Bally Fair Deal booked their ticket when they took the runner-up spot at Cavan. Nallon also took second place in the 1.35m-1.40m in Maryville with Javas True Colours. Along with results in the young rider arena, Nallon has proved very consistent at home and abroad. Ciaran will be joined by his sister Katie, who qualified in the 128cm division.

Another consistent pair is Robyn Moran and Colesgrove Cavalier who finished third in Cavan. Moran has clocked up good results this year including a win in the 1.25m Munster Development League in Clonmel (Beowulf) and a win in the round in West Clare (Mornane Aragon), second place with Cushlas Fryday and third with European Cruise. She also claimed victory in the Munster Grand Prix at Charleville with Coolminga Inspector Royal and a win in the four-year-olds at Mullingar with Fortside Trend.

In Maryville, victory went to Ciara Fives and Future Storm. Ciara, who is still riding in the 148cm, has proven herself in both divisions. Riding Future Trend, she finished sixth in the 1.25m Midland Classic Championship at Mullingar International.

In Barnadown, leading the victory lap was Orla Queally with Fontanel Van T & L. Queally had already claimed second place in Maryville in the 1.10m-1.15m division aboard Nour Alain.

Placed fourth in the Championship last year, Isabel Fitzpatrick and Fourth of July are no strangers to the pressure of qualifiers. They did exactly what was required in the round at Barnadown to finish third. In The Meadows, riding SHW Candies Diamond, she took fourth in the 1.10m -1.15m.

The win at The Meadows went to Conor Costello with Annestown Clover Concorde. National young rider champion Jack Ryan earned his place with Zavatar F, taking fourth in this round. Ryan also took the win in the 1.35-1.40m in The Meadows with Cavalier Teaca. This combination went on to take second in the National Grand Prix in Ballinasloe and second in the Mervue Equine Leinster Summer Tour at Adamstown.

1.35-1.40M

Winner of the 1.30m championship in 2018, Mark Finnerty secured his place again with victory aboard All Action in the first round at Cavan. Finnerty is one to watch, having finished fifth in the final of the Spring Tour and has moved up the grades to finish in seventh place at The Meadows in the New Heights Champion Series. Finnerty also took second place in Maryville with Emma in the 1.25m division.

Similarly, Kayleigh Soden, who had been in the line-up in the Spring Tour at Coilog and in the opening round of the National Grand Prix, also booked her Dublin place, taking second with ARD Leaderman at Cavan. Following his win in the Spring Tour at Barnadown, Oisin Aylward has been one to watch since the start of the season and demonstrated his talent when he piloted Barry O’Connor’s Syhoejegaards Hurrycane Dice into fourth in the opening qualifier. Since then, he has been consistently placed at this level.

Winner of the round at Maryville was Max Wachman with Atlantic Du Seigneur. He also took third with Cesha Old at The Meadows in the 1.25m division. Wachman, trained by Cian O’Connor, has clocked up good results at home and abroad.

Winner of six/seven-year-old championship at Balmoral, Olivia Roulston added to her record when she took the runner-up spot with Erico at The Meadows. Roulston has continued to rack up the results in the young horse classes and in the regional leagues. She also took the runner-up place with Novellent in the 1.10-1.15 division at Cavan.

In Barnadown, Kildare’s Grace McHugh took the honors aboard Berlios Van De Kapel. This combination demonstrated their talent against the senior riders, when taking third in the Grand Prix at Ballivor.

Children on Horses

In the 1.15m Children on Horses RDS section in Cavan, just four places were up for grabs. Alexandra Hourigan and Delano W filled the first slot. Since qualification, this combination has gone on to claim two sixth places at 1.30m level. Daniel Moore took the runner-up spot with Scooby Bee This duo went on to be placed in the 1.20 Midlands Classic qualifier at Mullingar International Show.

No stranger to pressure, Jack Conlon Gateau and Berlina (KWPN) took the win in Barnadown. This partnership has proven themselves at 1.20m level. Olivia Shanahan delivered a foot-perfect performance with Rosalie in Barnadown for third. Shanahan also demonstrated her talent in the pony arena when taking seventh in the 148cm division in Maryville with Kiltormer Buckfast. Robyn Lee and Meniac took the win in Maryville. Although this mount is new to Lee, the combination has only lowered one pole since arriving in Ireland. Marta Hughes Bravo also maintained a clean sheet over the three rounds with HHS California in this round for second. This duo has been handling 1.20m tracks with ease and have proved very consistent.

Finally at The Meadows, Aoife Whelan CES Chipalier claimed victory, adding to their impressive record which includes wins up to 1.30m level.