ONE of only two performance classes to be staged at the RDS this year, the three-year-old young event horse showcase also offers the biggest prize fund. With €5,000 heading the way of the winner, and a further €1,500 awarded to the breeder, it has become one of the most coveted titles of the week.

It is now two years since Gareth Carlisle and MT Star Lux lifted the title, and having qualified again with another out of the same mare, Carlisle will be looking to make it a double. He picked up his ticket at Kernan’s Equestrian centre, while the other qualifying venues around the country were Top Flight Equestrian Centre in Kilkenny, the Co Clare showgrounds in Ennis, and the equestrian centres at Ross House and Tubberbride. All 15 finalists came under the scrutiny of Vina Buller, and at the time of writing next week’s judge is yet to be confirmed.