AS in previous years, the calibre of young riders looking to secure a place at the Dublin Show has been extremely high. Most of these riders are competing on the National Grand Prix circuit and, as a result, each division was nail-biting. With such a high standard securing tickets, these classes will be very exciting to watch.

The journey to Dublin Horse Show qualification began for Young Riders and Children on Horses in Cavan Equestrian. In what was a technical course just three double clears were delivered. Taking the first ticket was the very experienced Timmy Brennan and Diadema Della Caccia.

Christian Kennedy and Lagans Obos Quality came closest to catching the winner for second place after a gallant attempt. Cian McMunn lodged a fast round with Oberon Van ‘T Lohof, but despite having four faults, booked their place on this performance. In Ard Chuain at the second qualifier, riders faced a difficult track once again. Resident rider Paddy Reape, double European Champion, demonstrated his skill when he delivered the only triple clear of the class aboard Creevagh Special.

Paddy Reape and Creevagh Special on their way to winning the 1.35-1.40m Young Rider RDS Qualifier at Ard Chuain \ Chloe Goggins

Alex O’Connor and Kingsborough Verdiva put in a fast time, but finished with one on the ground, but they will be ones to watch, as will Conor McLaughlin who also had one on the ground with Kilbarron Rue. James Brennan and MHS Im the One also secured a place here and no doubt will be looking to add to the Brennan trophy cabinet.

Already qualified in the young horse division, Eoin Brennan will also be in action in the young rider division as he took the win with Limestone Briarhill Lui, when he was one of just four double clears in a competitive decider in Barnadown. Brennan was chased home by Jack M. Murphy and Dinard H, who will be well up for the challenge. Last of the double clears in this round and taking eventual fourth was Lauren Murphy and BP Skybound. Junior rider Robert Russell was fastest of the four faulters with Ballyrobin Nimmerdor and these will be ones to keep a close eye on as they are fast against the clock.

Coen Williams and Conthanja PS won the Young Riders (1.35m - 1.40m) National Championship at Dublin in 2023 and return again this year \ Jane Emilly Potter jumpinaction.net

At The Meadows, 34 combinations battled it out over three rounds. Taking the win was Carlow rider Max Foley. A previous winner in the RDS, Foley made it look easy aboard HHS Catwalk. Defending Dublin Horse Show Champions, Coen Wiliams and the ever-reliable Conthanja PS will also return in a bid to take the title for the second year. Two other combinations that will have their eye on the prize in this section are Isabel O’Brien and Javas Gucci, and the very experienced combination of European medallist Rhys Williams and Cowboy Balou.

1.25m-1.30m

In Cavan, clinching victory was Ruby Lily Gaines aboard Castle Lux Clover, when they put in a very impressive display of riding. Other combinations to watch are Cornelius Brennan (Escarda U) and Rebecca Smyth and Creevagh Imp II, who galloped home in a time of 34.97.

Ruby Lily Gaines and Castle Lux Clover won the 1.25m-1.30m Young Rider RDS Qualifier at Cavan \ Enda Daly jumpinaction.net

No stranger to the RDS, Alice Moloney will have her eye on the prize as she takes it on with Castlefield Cass. One to watch after a winning performance in the qualifier in Ard Chuain is Darren Moloney and Love to be Cruising. Moloney was chased home by Aine Shorthall and Killerisk Can Ya who will no doubt put in a good performance in Simmonscourt.

Tadhg McKiernan and the eight-year-old CW Luiboutain will be ones to watch as will Isobel Hourigan and ESI Carvalho. Jazmine Arthur and Ballyknock OBOS Hollywood proved that they can put in a fast round, and if all the poles stay in place they can’t be dismissed.

In Barnadown, 12 booked their place in the third round. Leading the victory lap was Iseult Fleming and Cristallo Boy, when she kept the poles in their cups and finished over a second in front of her closest rival, Ella Clancy and Shooting Star. Two other hopefuls are Stephen Gibbons and Coolisheal Lance and Alice Wachman and Thijssen SR Z. Annie Gibson and Dasca Van Het Vijverbos also booked their place here and handled the pressure well. At the final qualifier, leading the victory lap was Kiera McGrath and Lissyegan Geoffrey.

The combination that will no doubt be hot favourites will the defending champion in the division, Max Foley, this time riding HHS Calgary. Another very experienced team is Annie Boland and the Hurricane. Conor Gilmartin (Brooklyn Nine Nine) and Cait Kenny and Good Guy D’Authuit secured their place here and put in very impressive performances that will stand to them in Dublin.

1.10m-1.15m

In this division, there are a lot of young horses making their appearances and all were equally as impressive as the next. Winner of the 1.10m in the opening round was Siobhan Doyle when she lodged a triple clear with the seven-year-old Dante DV Z. She was chased home by Edward Feeney and his seven-year-old Miss Jones.

Siobhan Doyle and Dante Dv Z won the 1.10m-1.15m Young Rider RDS Qualifier at Cavan \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

Laura Hales and Killycloghan Knight Time (7yo) answered all the questions to secure her place and a triple clear for Maisie Adams and the five-year-old Tresor V’T Dauwhof saw them book their place. Just back from the European Championships, Emily Moloney will be looking to add to her record as she will take it on with the six-year-old Star van de Heffinck.

The battle in Ard Chuain demonstrated the calibre of what to expect in Simmonscourt with eight combinations delivering triple clears. Landing this victory was Conor Gilmartin and Hendrix IIG (7yo). Anna Morrissey was his closest rival with Rockstar Rory (7yo) and they demonstrated great ability as did Natasha Foley and Cillbhrid Excel (7yo). Another combination to watch is Isabell Boland and MBF Maxwill (7yo) in a time of 34.43. Sean Dooleya and the five-year-old Killavilla Cruise also demonstrated that they won’t be fazed by the pressure.

Defending Dublin Horse Show champions in 1.10m-1.15m, Michael McGrath, will be looking to clinch the title for the second year with the six-year-old Abbey Lagans.

Michael McGrath and Abbey Lagans won the Young Riders 1.10m - 1.15m National Championship at Dublin in 2023 and will return to defend the title \ Jane Emilly Potter jumpinaction.net

The very experienced Katie Nallon carefully booked her place with the seven-year-old MVS Celtic Emperor. Anna White and GSA Oscar will be capable competitors as will Gary Dooley and the six-year-old, Killard Be Mine. Another strong combination is Geraldine Tyner and seven-year-old, Bonmahon Indigo. Booking their place in the final round was Katie Duignan aboard the seven-year-old Aboy Duggie, when they were fastest of seven triple clears. Duignan’s closest rival on that occasion was Emma Dolan and the seven-year-old Seeing Red.

No stranger to the RDS pressure Lucy Morton and Drumcairne will be looking for the red rosette as will Daniel Ring on the six-year-old, Kilkern Quality.

Children on Horses

It will be a busy week for the Widger family with Sam Widger and Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z booking their place in the first round.

Henry Sinnott also put in a great performance with the eight-year-old Ridge Douglas Lady. Ciara Cash and Carnaval Cocktail also put in a strong performance over the three rounds and will be a strong contender. Not short of support going into Dublin will be Matilde Hughes Bravo and Miss Belgium, who will be looking to make her mark.

Sam Widger and Jerenice Dysenbeeck Z won the 1.15m COH RDS Qualifier at Cavan \ Enda Daly jumpinaction.net

In Ard Chuain, claiming the first ticket was Alice Hartford aboard the very talanted Kilderrys Joint Venture, when they maintained a clean sheet over three rounds. Also keeping all the poles in place was Lily P. Slattery and the experienced Captain Candy Man. Arielle Allen and Kandice Z in 31.39 and Jack Murphy with Sam Salad will also be very much in the running.

In Barnadown, Ella Rush took the win in the Children on Horses division, when she partnered Noeleen and Francis Kerins’ Beach Buggy delivered the fastest triple clear to take the win, but less than a second behind was Alayna Hawkins and Jessica Lee’s Harry Beau Bay.

This was a very strong class with Caoimhe O’Meara maintaining a clean sheet with Croghan Hill Ace to book her place.

In the final round it went down to the wire with seven combinations maintaining clean sheets over three rounds. Taking the first ticket was Isabelle Ó Conaola and Earl Greys Last Cruise, ahead of Colm Widger and Grantstown Charmer.

Honor Bills-Everett demonstrated real talent with MHS Cuffesgrange as they took third place, and Max Galway and Cassido also secured their place.