AMATEUR riders flocked to the Ennis showgrounds in one final attempt to fill the last remaining slots to the 2017 Dublin Horse Show. It was another huge turnout with 130 combinations on the startlist. From those, 28 As and 17 AAs went through to the second round, and 20 proceeded to the third and final jump-off.

It was a well worth trip from Wexford to Ennis for William Kehoe as he delivered the winning round with Susan Keaveney’s Dakarla when clear in 37.44 seconds.Dakarla is a 10-year-old mare by Upgrade out of the Ahorn-sired mare Ghykarla.

This was the Kehoe’s second attempt to qualify for the RDS and he was unlucky not to have made it through to the jump-off in the qualifier at Ard Chuain.

Winner of one of the competitive qualifiers in Simmonscourt last year, Fiona Mullins guided Mirdads Sheeefff to the runner-up slot on this occasion. The combination were almost two seconds behind the winner in 39.32.

Third place belonged to Roisin Donnelly and the John Kerr-owned Tullyherin Princess Ria: they crossed the line clear in 39.53. The first year that this combination have qualified, they will be hoping to make their presence felt.

A familiar face in Dublin, Edel Kelly and Zamir booked their place when delivering the next fastest clear in 41.13 for fourth. The pairing had narrowly missed out on qualifying at Ravensdale when they finished tenth. They narrowly missed out in qualifying for the main arena in 2016, so will no doubt be looking to up the ante this year.

Cork rider Lisa Hitchmough riding Cormac Hitchmough’s Shanroe Splendour took fifth when clear in 41.92, ahead of Danielle Lillis and May Clover Kylie, clear in 44.01.

Galway-based Aisling Donoghue, riding Walmore Sport, accounted for seventh when she kept all the poles in place in 44.96. Local rider Derrick Burke proved the fastest of the four faulters in 35.95 for eighth with Tyreda Chip.

All RDS reports which appeared in The Irish Field were based on results from venues. All places to the RDS will be confirmed and published by Showjumping Ireland prior to the Dublin Horse Show.