ALL roads led to Cavan Equestrian last weekend for the first round of the Pony RDS Qualifiers, with 353 combinations battling it out on the first day.

The 128cm class saw 86 combinations go to post and, from those, six triple clears were delivered in a 12-way jump-off. Claiming the first ticket was Leinster’s Ruby Kelly with the eight-year-old Killoran Bob, when they galloped home clear in a time of 32.99. The remaining top five places were all filled by Munster riders, who made the trip worthwhile. Michael Barry partnered the seven-year-old Killorglin Boy to a clear in 33.09 for second place. Katelyn Horgan (M) and Million Dollar Baby left nothing to chance as they came home clear in 34.42 to secure their place, ahead of Joe Widger and the well experienced Mickybo, who was clear in 34.53 for eventual fourth. Colm Widger and Creevelea Fire Fox slotted into fifth, clear in 35.28, while in sixth was Jack Dore and Woodside Jerry-Lee, clear in 38.52. Taking seventh place was Chloe Clarke, after she was fastest of the four-faulters with the RDS veteran Kilcreene Apollo, in a time of 30.33.

128cm six/seven-year-olds

Claiming the first of three places on offer in the round was Chloe Clarke and Gwennicks Hopestown Flyer. Both Tim Hawkins (The Chaser) and Kitty O’Dea (Killanena Cookie) both finished on 82.5 to fill the remaining slots.

Charlie Flynn and Knud van Orchid’s, winner of the 138 A RDS Qualifiers at Cavan \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

138cm

Leading the victory lap in the 138cm decider was another Munster rider and Dublin Horse Show Champions, Charlie Flynn and Knud van Orchid’s, when they were the fastest of four double clears in an eight-way jump-off in a time of 33.71.Leinster rider Harvey Oscar Foley and Mayfly Green Peter played it safe, as he lodged a clear in 36.53 for second, ahead of Munster rider Ryan Horgan and Subliem’s Little Clemens, who also took the more cautious approach and answered all the questions in a time of 41.19. Ulster rider, Zoe Mellett and Fredaine de blonde secured their ticket, when they were last of the double clears in a time of 37.13, ahead of Connaught rider Edward Walsh Jnr and the eight-year-old Burnal Skipper, with four faults in a time of 37.13. Munster riders filled the next two spots, with Sam Widger and the eight-year-old Creevelea Larrybo, coming home with four faults in 46.80, while Georgia de Bromhead took seventh place with Sparkling Boomastasia, with 28 faults in 75.96.

138cm six/seven-year-olds

Just three tickets were up for grabs in the 138cm six/seven-year-olds and it was a tie for first, with Elsie Tunney (Tullinaglug Rosheen) and Ted Fagan (Houla Oups Ed’M) finishing on a score of 90 marks. Katelyn Horgan and Mystic Du Charooli, took third place on a score of 83 marks.

148cm

No stranger to the RDS, Athlone’s James Derwin took the win in the 148cm section, when he partnered Rincoola Babog to a triple clear in a time of 38.56. Munster rider Jack Kent was Derwin’s closest rival, as he partnered Double Pleasure to a triple clear in a time of 44.82. A familiar face in the RDS, Connaught rider Senan Reape and Air Line CK Z also answered all the questions, albeit in a slower time of 48.78 for third. A triple clear from Leinster rider Annie Boland and K-Little Hero in a time of 52.65 saw them take fourth place. Ulster rider Lily Tunney proved fastest of the four-faulters in the jump-off with Fireman in a time of 41.65, while Connaught rider Cian McMunn and Esperando SK, also proved out of luck with one on the ground in a time of 42.96 for sixth place. Alanna Fagan and Glor Tire Cruise also had a pole on the ground in a time of 47.61, filling seventh place.

148cm six/seven-year-olds

The 148cm six and seven-year-olds attracted the largest entry for the six places on offer in the round, with 98 going to post. Taking the first ticket was Ulster rider Peter Morton and Blueoak Shelby (six-year-old), when fastest of the four triple clears in a time of 45.77. Leinster rider Lauren Adams and ASJ Samurai (seven-year-old), followed closely behind in a time of 46.97 for second place, ahead of Ryan Horgan and Wrenwood Kingsley (IHR) (seven-year-old) in a time of 48.73. Leinster rider Hugo Seagrave and Barravalley Glory (seven) played it safe and came home in 51.40 for eventual fourth, ahead of Jack Kent and Riviera (seven), who had one down in 44.70. Ted Fagan and Hachtag Kerbotin (seven), put in a fast round, clocking 49.15, but one on the ground meant he had to settle for sixth place.

This report was written based on provisional results on SJI Live. All places to the RDS will be verified by Showjumping Ireland.