PONY riders and young riders had another opportunity to book their place to the Dublin Horse Show as Mullingar Equestrian played host to the second round of qualifiers last Saturday. With places to the five-star show considered as gold dust, it came as no surprise that each division went down to the wire.
128CM
In the 128cm class, the standard was high and of the 15 combinations that proceeded to the jump-off, 10 delivered clears in the third round of jumping. Kian Dore’s talent shone through when he was the only rider to remain within the 36 second mark.
Riding Drumcaghey Jacko he lodged the winning round of 35.94 seconds to take the red rosette. Not content with the win, Dore also took third place with Kilcreene Basil when he delivered another clear in 37.16.
Dividing Dore’s placing was the 128cm 2016 Dublin champion, Tom Wachman, who delivered a clear in 36.73 with Murphy Spartacus. This is the second qualifying place for Wachman, having finished second with Parc Epic at Cavan. In fourth place was Eoin Brennan and Gelliganol Guinever, who was fractions behind in 37.98 seconds, ahead of Annie Gibson and Lisboy Black Magic who also put in a faultless round in 39.66.
Little separated the next placing as Charles Heffron galloped home on Dandy in a time of 39.85 for sixth, while Alexandra Hourigan and Kiltormer Ruby stopped the clock in 39.91 for the final qualifying place.
138CM
Winner of the CWD Spring Tour, Francis Derwin Jnr booked his place when he took the first qualifying place in the 138cm decider with Ruby Brown when he produced the fastest of the six treble clears in 42.31 seconds.
This section proved very fast, with the top four combinations staying within the 43 second mark. John Mc Entee, another who is familiar to riding at the RDS, partnered the ever reliable Hubba Bubba into second place when he stopped the clock in 42.63. It was a good day for Mc Entee as he also took third place when he clocked 42.68 with Airdisplay.
No stranger to the pressure in Dublin, Ryan Sweetnam booked his place when he was the next fastest with Never Last Spartacus, clear in 42.72 seconds for eventual fourth. Max Foley and Mayfly Green Peter took a calculated approach and a clear in 44.71 saw him take fifth place, ahead of Ellie-Rose Cassidy and Springhill Copper Beech who stopped the clock in 49.18.
Aoibhin Lowry and Drummond Lady almost caught the winners when they clocked 42.88, but a pole on the floor meant a seventh place finish for this pairing.
148CM
In the 148cm decider, 10 combinations proceeded to the third round and with riders battling hard to secure their place, seven treble clears where delivered. Again in this division, some familiar faces to the RDS arenas were successful in securing their tickets for August.
Leading the victory lap on this occasion was Cora Sharkey and Who’s Arco when clear in 41.26 seconds. Following a successful trip to Opglabbeek where he was part of the Irish team that finished second, Ciara Nallon returned home to book his place when he slotted into second place with Flintstone B in 43.54.
In third place were Emma McEntee and Saxton Freedam, posting a time of 47.58. Mc Entee certainly made her presence felt as she also accounted for fifth place with Silver Scott when clocking 50.18.
Molly Hughes Bravo separated Mc Entee’s placings as she slotted into fourth with Carrickaduff Pet when she stopped the clock in 49.18.
Taking sixth place were Jodie Shortall and Wee Spot in 52.27, ahead of Opglabbeek Nations Cup team member Seamus Hughes Kennedy and Cuffesgrange Cavalidam in 53.20.
Results for the 148cm six/seven-year-olds were not available at time of going to print.
YOUNG RIDERS
Meanwhile, in the young rider section on Sunday, the classes were equally as competition and just five qualifying places available in the 1.10-1.15m qualifier meant that two riders who managed to jump a treble clear were left disappointed.
Mark Finnerty was in great form and came out on top of this division on Rory Finnerty’s Emma with the fastest time of 31.68 seconds, and also slotted into the final qualifying position with All Action (0/0/0 33.58).
Patrick Parle was runner-up aboard Outrath Kroon Time with three clears in 32.67 seconds, ahead of Cian O’Connell and Besser Von Tulisa in third and Robyn Moran with Coolminga Inspector Royal in fourth.
There were just two treble clears in the 1.25-1.20m division, and Elisa Schweiger O’Connor was the fastest of those on Raymond O’Connor’s Oilean Dunlop in 41.20 seconds, ahead of Shannon Robinson and Auburn Luna in 45.23.
Chloe Fagan took third place with Caricello, posting the fastest time of the day in 38.16, but one pole fell for third, ahead of Australian Jake Hunter and Sandra Duffy’s Caliva Charca MM Z (0/0/4 39.27). Hannah O’Shea claimed the final qualifying place with Sandra Duffy’s Captain Martin (0/0/4 43.74).
Just four young rider combinations qualified in the biggest division, the 1.35-1.40m, and Cormac Foley heading the victory lap aboard Ballylynch Wizard when treble clear in 38.37 seconds.
Patrick Hickey filled second place with Quandurina (0/0/0 39.57), just ahead of Anna Carway and Claricella in third (0/0/0 39.59).
Anabelle Heffron claimed the final spot aboard Porsha with a classy clear in 43.86 seconds.
Pony rider Rhys Williams lead the Children on Horses qualifier with CES Cruson, with Sarah Moore and What A Lass in second, ahead on Orla Duffy (third) and Nimah McEvoy (fourth).