THIS year may be a different type of RDS experience, but for the pony riders the battle to book their slot to the National Championships was just as intense.

Over the four qualifiers, there were 108 places to be filled over four divisions. This year saw a mixture of old and new combinations but each of them stand an equal chance of taking home a title.

Making his return to the RDS is the veteran Mickybo after his jockey Cian McMunn piloted him to victory at the opening round in Barnadown. Micky Bo has plenty of experience, with close to 2000 SJI points on his record. Cathal took over the ride from Senan Reape in May and has clocked up some impressive results.

Another pony very familiar with the RDS is The Silver Legend who will be under the command of Ruben Foley after taking the runner-up slot in the opening qualifier. This amazing pony has over 2000 points and Foley has plenty of experience having been riding the pony since 2019.

My Little Shadow will be making his RDS return under the command of Adam Adair. The pony was previously campaigned by India Heffron and before this, Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Martha Hughes Bravo.

Kilkenny riders are certainly ones to watch this season and both Robbie Sheehan (Ravara Mohawk) booked their place as did Alice Moloney (Is Fearr An Star). At Ard Chuain, Johan Fitzpatrick Burns and the seven-year-old coloured mare Chocolate II took the win. This combination has demonstrated great form through the ranks.

The Kilcreene prefix ponies are always very competitive and Cameron Kelly and Kilcreene Snapdragon booked their place when finishing third at Ard Chuain. This pony comes from the same line as Kilcreene Apollo and was bred by the Smithwick family. Cameron took over this pony last year and have clocked up some serious results.

In the penultimate round in Cavan, Kilkenny’s Robbie Sheehan booked his place when he took the win with Hes A Touch of Magic. He was chased home by Mullingar’s Ted Fagan with the experienced Kiltormer Ruby for second place.

Younger ponies have featured strongly in these qualifiers and this was clear to see as Helen Walsh and the eight-year-old Knockash Lady Bird booked their place when finishing in third, ahead of Sam Widger and the seven-year-old Creevelea Fire Fox.

In the final round, Padraig O’Looney and the eight-year-old DHS Summer showed their strength when finishing in third place. Ulster’s Elizabeth McCracken and Uquam d’Emery PFS featured strongly in the Ulster Leagues and this combination will be well up to the challenge.

138cm division

In the 138cm, a few experienced ponies will be making their return including Western Oreo. He will be partnered by the equally experienced Kian Dore. This pony has been campaigned by many riders such as Alex Finney, Caragh Charlton and Robyn Moran.

Conrad Sweeney and Sakama Chezni will also take their place having qualified at Barnadown. This pony has delivered results for all the Sweeney family and will no doubt put its best foot forward for Conrad. Another hot contender is Katie Nallon who takes on this division with the very experienced Hubba Bubba.

Wexford’s Lauren Adams qualified with Riot Del Pegulil, again this combination has plenty of ring experience. A family very familiar with the RDS, Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Sparkling Boomastasica will fly the flag for the Hughes-Kennedys in this division. Kilkenny’s Isobel Sheehan and Bay Times also booked their place. Winners of the Ard Chuain qualifier, another experienced combination forward is Paddy Reape and TI Chip. It will be a busy week for the McCracken family as Charlotte McCracken also secured her place with Drumcaughey Diamond in the second qualifier.

Zara Jane Kelly has been in the ribbons of late and she will have her sights on the win having secured a place with the ever-reliable Future Memories. Making their debut in the RDS are Claudia Carroll and Tynagh Sunshine who qualified in the round at Cavan, as did Alex McMaster and OOS Paris, also making their first appearance in Ballsbridge.

148cm

The 148cm division promises to be a nail-biting competition with some very determined combinations qualified. Leading the victory lap in Barnadown was Kilkenny’s Chloe Hughes Kennedy and Still Got Me. Emily Moloney has had a great season and secured her place with Castlehill Titan. Kiera McGrath qualified the nine-year-old Lough Key Camouflage at the first round.

Bridin Doyle and Trendy Blue were the only double clear in the qualifier in Ard Chuain to take second place and showed they won’t buckle under pressure. No stranger to the RDS, Marta Hughes Bravo and HHS Mustang Sally booked their place when taking the win at The Meadows.

148cm six- and seven-year-olds

There are a lot of talented young ponies coming up the ranks and this year, they all showed what they were capable of. Some combinations to watch include Antrim’s Oliver Doherty and the seven-year-old Springhill Premier, Anna White and the six-year-old Tankardstown Dreamer. Winner of the round at Ard Chuain, Maifield Another Sunrise and Matthew Farrell will be ones to watch. In Cavan Alaoise Regan demonstrated her competitive edge as she partnered Qualify Flow to victory. Another very strong combination is Kate Lynch and CQUS Quality Cagney.