AFTER a long two-year wait, pony riders were finally back out competing for their golden tickets to the 2022 RDS Dublin Horse Show at The Meadows on Saturday. As always, large numbers flocked to the venue looking to get an early qualification.
This year sees the introduction of the 128cm and 138cm six/seven-year-old class, which has three qualifying places at each qualifier for both divisions. The new classes aim to reward the correct production of these young ponies and the classes are judged.
In the 128cm six/seven-year-olds, it was Liam Concannon who won aboard the six-year-old Creevagh Pringles. Taking the runner-up spot was Medb Kinney and Leiiaish Lady Penelope (6yo), ahead of Alayna Hawkins and Carraghy Apollo (6yo).
In the 138cm six/seven-year-olds, victory went to Harry Rush and Zanzi Boy Van Sundance (7 yo), ahead of Alayna Hawkins who picked up her second ticket of the day with Ballyduff Lad (6yo). Third place was filled by Zara-Jane Kelly and Sparkling Kiowa Moon (7yo).
In the 128cm division a total of 51 combinations went to post and nine combinations delivered triple clear rounds in the 17-way jump-off. The top seven combinations came home within the 40 second mark. Claiming victory was Mullingar’s Ted Fagan, who continued the good form which saw him win the opening Premier in Barnadown, posting the fastest time with Kiltormer Ruby in 36.95. Ted also took sixth place with Dooneens Electric when they crossed the line in a time of 39.28.
Munster rider Thomas Meagher was less than a second behind aboard Sasha when they finished in 37.42. Slotting into third place was the 2022 Spring Tour winner Elizabeth McCracken and Uquam d’Emery PFS who clocked 37.89, ahead of Alanna Keeling and Hollycreek Oran Splendour in 37.92. Lucy McCarthy and The Silver Legend took fifth place when they clocked 39.01.
138cm
Last year’s RDS Champion Ruben Foley booked his first ticket in the 138cm division when he partnered Mayfly Green Peter to clear in a time of 45.89. Of the 46 that went to post, the competition went down to the wire, with eight proceeding to the third round.
Slotting into second place was Annie Boland and Mayfly Black Pennell, when clear in 46.22, ahead of Lauren Adams and Riot Del Pegulil who was clear in 47.50. The last of the treble clears was delivered by Juliet Quirke and the eight-year-old Blackwook Killamaster in a time of 55.27.
James Derwin and Ruby Brown were fastest of the four-faulters in a time of 53.21 for fifth place, ahead of Cian McMunn and the eight-year old ET Hop De Naelle, who had one on the ground in a time of 53.83.
148cm
The 148cm division attracted the largest numbers, with 74 combinations going to post. From the original starters, 11 booked their place in the third round and, from those, eight triple clears were delivered.
Landing victory was James Derwin aboard Rincoola Babog when clear in the fastest time of 34.78. Kian Dore put in a foot-perfect round with Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey in a time of 37.12 for second, ahead of Coen Williams and Saxton Freedam in a time of 39.73.
Accounting for eventual fourth place was James Brennan and MHS Glow, clear in 40.07, while in fifth place was Lily Tunney and Fireman, clear in 40.52. Completing the top six was Katie Nallon and Little Smithe, clear in 41.50.
Leading the victory lap in the 148cm 6/7 year-olds was Derwin’s cousin, Aine Shortall, who was riding the seven-year-old Bungi. They were fastest of the eight triple clears in a time of 35.34.
Anna White followed closely behind with Tankardstown Dreamer (7yo) in 36.37, ahead of Ciara O’Connor and Glean Princess (7yo) in 37.15.
Accounting for fourth place was Jill Greene and Tinnecarrig Quick Step (7yo) in 38.76, while fifth place was filled by Kate Lynch and Lahorna You Two ISH (6yo), who stopped the clock in a time of 38.82.
Sixth place belonged to Gary Dooley and Western Ranger (7yo), when they put in a calculated round in a time of 40.23.