THE first of the RDS qualifiers kicked off last week with Warrington Equestrian playing host to the amateur qualifiers. As always, there was a good turn out with riders coming from the four corners of the country in a bid to secure one of the eight tickets on offer in the first round.

At this first round qualifier, three of the top six finishers in the RDS from last year’s final secured their place. Out of the original starters, seven of those delivered treble clears and four A riders and four AA riders finished in the top slots.

Taking the honours was A category rider Laois rider Gillian Blanche and Bellegrove Prima Donna when they were fastest of the 33-way jump-off in 43.88 seconds. This combination will be looking to improve on last year’s performance having finished second in the qualifier in Simmonscourt and fifth in the final. In 2015, they finished as runner-up in the final in Dublin.

Another familiar face in the RDS, AA rider Sheikh Samir Mirdad secured his place with Mirdads Maaa Shaaa Alllah when he delivered a clear in 42.42. No strange to the pressure, AA rider Joanna Penfold slotted into third place when she delivered a clear with Playtime Cruise in 45.94. Runner-up in the final in 2016, A rider Daniel O’Shea and Kinmar Night booked their place when they lodged a clear in 47.85 for eventual fourth.

AA rider Laura Flynn opted for the safer lines with Joes Charm and it paid off as they came home with nothing to add in 48.18 for fifth place. This combination impressed last year when taking four place in the final. A rider Laurence Masterson was almost a second behind with Touch Button in 49.29 for sixth place.

In seventh place were A ridir Caoimhe Delaney and Daring to Dream. Joanna Penfold clocked the fastest time with King Cruise in 39.90, but four faults meant that they would have to contend with eighth place in the line-up.

The next round of amateur qualifiers will take place at Ravensdale Lodge, Dundalk, on May 27th.