ARD Chuain in Co Sligo was a hive of activity last weekend as it played host to the first round of pony, young riders and Children on Horses Dublin Horse Show qualifiers, with riders flocking from near and far hoping to secure their Dublin ticket.

In total 54 combinations went to post in the 128cm division with 12 delivering double clears and five delivering triple clears. Claiming the first ticket was Lucia Keane and Bossinova, clear in 36.04 seconds. Alayna Hawkins and Ballynacregga Red came home in 39.91 for second, ahead of Ronan Duffy and Twinkle Star Cedar in 41.61. Slotting into fourth place was Colm Widger and Creevelea Fire Fox when they clocked 42 seconds. Last of the triple clears in a time of 43.11 was Jack Dore and Woodside Jerry-Lee for fifth place. Ava O’Neill had an unlucky four faults with Hes A Touch Of Magic in 38.24 for sixth.

In the 128cm six/seven-year-old RDS judged class, 30 combinations went to post with just three places up for grabs.Taking the win was Edward Walsh on the six-year-old I Am Sonic Seamus on 73.5. Kate Hurley and Brookhall Elizabeth (7yo) took the runner-up spot when awarded a score of 73. Third place went to Ruby Hannon and Trixies Splash With A Dash (7yo) on 71.5, ahead of Georgia de Bromhead and Dough Pride (6yo) on a score of 70.5. Sharing fifth place on 70.5 was Josh Rogan and WCE Hugo Me Go We Go (6yo) and Jack Costello and Heartbreaker (6yo).

In total, some 39 combinations went to post in the 138cm division where Emily O’Brien and Youghal Paddy booked the first ticket, triple clear in 31.59. Little stood between the next placing as Cian McMunn crossed the line aboard ET Hop De Naelle in a time of 31.81. RDS Champion Ruben Foley will be making his return after booking his place with Mayfly Green Peter, triple clear 31.83. Last of the triple clears was Conrad Sweeney and Warwick Ginger, clear in 32.33. Laila Dunne and Beaver Valley was fastest of the double clears in 35.21. Completing the top six was Robbie Sheehan and Bay Times, going double clear in 38.70.

Flynn flying high

Taking the win in the 138 six and seven-year-old category was consistent winner Charlie Flynn and the seven-year-old Grand Creme Peccau, on a score of 77.5. Helen Walsh and Milchem Ruby (6yo) was awarded 73 points for second place, ahead of Adam Adair and Fardross (6yo) 72.5. Sharing fourth place on a score of 72 was Anna Moore and BBS Tik Tok (7yo) and Zoe Mellett on JSH Junior (6yo). One mark behind was Caitlin Kelly and Lurganmore Little Rocket (7yo).

The reigning European champions James Derwin and Rincoola Babog made no mistakes as they booked the first slot in the 148cm division in a time of 32.53. The pair were fastest of the eight double clears.

Opting for the safer route was Gary Dooley and Luittain in a time of 37.49. Slotting into third place was Alexandra Kiernan and Sweet Renees, coming home in 38.41, ahead of Chloe Hughes Kennedy and HK Zena in a time of 38.99. Annie Boland didn’t hang about with Jimtown and crossed the line in a time of 39.32 for fifth place while Iseult Fleming and Oscar van de Beekerheide took sixth (40.85).

The 148 six/seven-year-old class attracted a large following, with 87 combinations going to post. Leading the victory lap was Senan Reape and the six-year-old JSB Tik Tok, triple clear in a time of 44.21.

Alice Moloney and VMS Norman (6yo) took second place clear in 46.01, ahead of Annie Boland and Candy Coco (7yo), clear in 46.46. Kian Dore and Heliot De Blonde (6yo) were fastest of the four-faulters in the third round in a time of 41.31 for eventual fourth, ahead of Jack Kent on W. P-B. R Machno Diamond Edition (7yo) also on four faults in a time of 41.89. Sixth place was filled by Niamh Staunton and Ballyfore Rosie (7yo), carrying four faults in 43.31.

YR and COH division

On Sunday, it was the turn of young riders and Children on Horses riders to try to book their golden tickers. First into the arena was the 1.15m Children on Horses riders with 38 combinations battling it out for one of the four tickets on offer in this competitive round.

Leading the victory lap was Adam Adair and Remake Lande, posting a triple clear in 42.47. Just over a second behind and keeping all the poles in their cups was Molly Taylor and RNH Parisian Blue in 43.96.

Ted Fagan and Bella M took the third ticket when they maintained a clean sheet over the three rounds in a time of 44.22. Jackson Brosnan and Bitcoin were fastest of the four-faulters in the third round in a time of 40.32 for eventual fourth, ahead of Sam Widger and Grantstown Charmer, who had two down in the third round in a time of 39.14. Also carrying eight faults in the third round was Lilly Slattery and Captain Candy Man.

Rhys and Taylor set for RDS

A past winner in the RDS, Co Clare’s Rhys Williams booked his place in the 1.35/1.40m young rider division as he put in an impressive round aboard Cowboy Balou, delivering a clear in 31.03. Alex Finney and MHS Style also kept the poles in their cups in a slower time of 31.87 for second. It will certainly be a busy week for the Williams family as Coen Williams took the third of four tickets up for grabs with Conthanja PS, clear in 32.35.

Eoin Brennan and Eskola M accounted for fourth place when they came home clear in 34.46, ahead of Emily Moloney and Temple Alice, just fractions behind in 34.69. Also staying withing the 35-second mark was Jack Murphy and Dinard H, who clocked 34.96.

No stranger to the RDS, Wexford’s Taylor Peare took the win in the 1.25-1.30m division with Lissyegan Geoffrey, clear in 36.83. This was one of the biggest divisions with 72 battling it out and four delivering triple clears.

Katie Nallon took the runner-up spot with Ecklands Helado when she came home in 40.16, ahead of Lauren Murphy and J’Adore in a time of 40.77. Fourth place belonged to Jack Murphy and Ballinteskin Gaia, when they were the last of the triple clears in 43.10. Alice Moloney proved out of luck when she had one down in the final round with Castlefield Cass in 42.98 for fifth. Things didn’t go accord to plan for Aine Shortall Killerisk Can Ya as she incurred an unfortunate fall in the third round.

Gibbons claims ticket

Connaught rider Stephen Gibbons claimed the first ticket in the 1.10-1.15m division with Ballynagran Captains Mate, posting a triple clear in a time of 36.66. Gibbons was chased home by Rebecca Lee McDonough and Mayron who put in a foot-perfect round in 36.80 for second.

Third place was occupied by Kara Madden and Quiline Vd Bisschop, clear in 37.49, ahead of Ciara Fives and Mermus R Russel (40.13). Tadhg McKiernan proved out of luck when he had one down with Little Ms Dignified in the final round in a time of 34.10, ahead of Beth Thompson and Cold Play S Z also on four faults in the final round in a time of 43.23.

(The above report is based on provisional results at time of going to press, SJI will confirm RDS qualification results)