ON Sunday, Young Riders and Children on Horses got their opportunity to book their place to the RDS at the Sligo venue, Ard Chuain.

In the 1.35/1.40m qualifier, resident rider Paddy Reape was a popular winner in this division with Creevagh Special. The double European Champion demonstrated his skill when he delivered the only triple clear in a time of 37.15.

Out of 31 hopeful combinations, six booked their place against the clock in the third round.

Alex O’Connor and Kingsborough Verdiva put in a fast time of 36.94, but with one on the ground, they had to settle for the runner-up spot.

Conor McLaughlin also had one on the ground with Kilbarron Rue in a time of 40.63 for third place. James Brennan and MHS Im the One took fourth place, when they finished on eight faults in a time of 37.19, while Lauren Murphy and BP Skybound also finished on eight faults, albeit in a slower time of 39.17 for fifth place.

Only finishing on eight faults, but in a slower time of 39.65 was Maisie Adams and the eight-year-old Dawsons Trend in a time of 39.65 for sixth place.

Darren Maloney and Love To Be Cruising, winners of the 1.25-1.30m Young Riders RDS Qualifier at Ard Chuain and received his prize from Walter Reape \ Lorraine Cribbin

1.25/1.30m

The 1.25/1.30m decider attracted the largest entry on the day, with 83 going to post. Taking the win was Darren Maloney and Love to be Cruising, when he delivered a triple clear in a time of 47.81. Maloney was chased home by Aine Shorthall and Killerisk Can Ya when they answered all the questions in a time of 48.60. A triple clear in 48.90 saw Tadhg McKiernan and the eight-year-old CW Luiboutain slot into third, ahead of Isobel Hourigan and ESI Carvalho, who had one down in the final round in a time of 38.86.

Jazmine Arthur and Ballyknock OBOS Hollywood also had one on the ground, but a fast time of 47.05 saw them take fifth place. Tadhg McKiernan and Oilean Dunlop proved to be the next fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 47.16 for sixth place.

Conor Gilmartin and Hendrix IIG won the 1.10-1.15m Young Rider RDS Qualifier at Ard Chuain \ Lorraine Cribbin

1.10/1.15m

The 1.10/1.15m also attracted another large entry, with 79 combinations battling it out, and eight of those delivering triple clears. Landing this victory was Conor Gilmartin and Hendrix IIG (7yr), when they stopped the clock in a very fast time of 31.48. Anna Morrissey was his closest rival, when she delivered Rockstar Rory (7yr) to a clear in 33.37. Little separated the next placing as Natasha Foley and Cillbhrid Excel (7yr) crossed the line in a time of 33.60, ahead of Isabell Boland and MBF Maxwill (7yr) in a time of 34.43.

A clear in 34.93 for Sean Dooleya and the five-year-old Killavilla Cruise saw him slot into fifth place, while Beth Thompson and the six-year-old Cold Play S Z crossed the line with nothing to add in a time of 35.43 for sixth place.

Children on Horses

Taking the first ticket in the Children On Horses division was Alice Hartford aboard Kilderrys Joint Venture, when they maintained a clean sheet over three rounds in a time of 29.82.

Hartford was a very popular winner, coming back from bitter disappointment the week previous when, despite three clear rounds at Cavan, she was deemed eliminated for going before the bell. Also keeping all the poles in place was Lily P Slattery and Captain Candy Man in a time of 30.55 for second place. A clear from Arielle Allen and Kandice Z in 31.39 saw them take third place.

Jack Murphy wasted no time with Sam Salad and a clear in 33.35 saw him take fourth place. Slotting into fifth place was Juliana Duffy and Ballycarrick Lass, when they had an unlucky four faults in a time of 32.28.

Ella Rush also had one on the ground with Beach Buggy, but in a slower time of 33.82 for sixth place.

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