THE penultimate round of pony, young rider and Children on Horses Dublin Horse Show qualifiers saw hopeful combinations travel to Barnadown Showjumping in Co Wexford last weekend.

It was an early start on Saturday, with the 148cm division kicking off proceedings and 58 combinations were looking for one of the seven golden tickets on offer. Taking the win and runner-up place was Leinster rider Ruben Foley.

Foley delivered his best result with the Ruairí Aylward-owned Coppenagh Gatsby, when fastest of just three double clears in a time of 36.41. He opted for the longer lines with the Michael O’Sullivan-owned Wineport Q Junior and it paid off, as he came home in a time of 41.14.

Last of the double clears and taking third place was Connaught rider Conrad Sweeney and Miss Untouchable in a time of 41.64. Munster rider Mia de Bromhead put in a very fast round with Shamrock Du Gite, owned by Knockeen Racing Ltd, stopping the clock in a time of 38.05, but with one on the ground, she had to settle for eventual fourth.

Fellow Munster rider Sam Widger also had one on the ground, but in the slower time of 41.33 for fifth place, ahead of Finbarr Hanafin in sixth place with the eight-year-old Clashreagh Raven King, finishing on four faults in a time of 42.60. Leinster rider Alanna Fagan and Glor Tire Cruise took seventh place, carrying four faults in a time of 50.34.

148cm six/seven-year-olds

Ruben Foley was back in the winner’s enclosure later in the day, when taking the win in the 148cm six/seven-year-old qualifier. Riding the Lorraine Reid-owned six-year-old Coshla Paddy, he was clear over three rounds in a time of 38.95.

Jack Dore and the six-year-old Whs Classic Illusion also kept the poles in place in a time of 40.39 for second place. Leinster’s Lillymai Walsh slotted into third place with Des Kent’s six-year-old Chapel Hill Chino (44.35), while in fourth was Cameron Kelly and the six-year-old Coolcronan Class (46.52).

Leinster rider Hugo Segrave finished in fifth place with the seven-year-old Barravalley Glory; they had four faults in 37.69. Completing the top six line-up was James Derwin with David Keeling’s six-year-old Nola HDH, finishing on four faults in 38.31.

138cm

A total of 45 combinations contested the 138cm division and this also just went to two rounds. Leading the victory lap was Ulster’s Cliodhna McEvoy and Etoile Des Chesnaies, when they came home with nothing to add in a time of 37.36.

Robbie Sheehan slotted into the runner-up position with Leiter Ben in a time of 39.57, ahead of Lucia Keane and Alto De Fougnard, who were double clear in 41.40 to secure third place. It was a good day for the Widger family, as Colm partnered the Joe McMahon-owned Western Oreo to a clear in 41.69 for eventual fourth place.

Saoirse O’Neill wasted no time with the seven-year-old Carrnhill Rodge, but it came at a price, as she had one down in a time of 37.52 for fifth. Helen Walsh suffered the same fate with Sergant Jack, but in a slower time of 38.19 for sixth, ahead of Eunan Kelly and Future Memories who also came home carrying four faults in a time of 39.96.

138cm six/seven-year-olds

Winner of the 138cm six/seven-year-olds was Connaught rider Cathal McKeon-Devaney. Riding the Bob Sweeney-owned six-year-old Rosie Raine, they finished up on a score of 87. Ulster’s Medbh Kinney and the six-year-old Tyrrellspass Louis were awarded 82 points for second, while Elizabeth McCracken claimed third place with the six-year-old Glencroft Andrea on a score of 81.

Sam Widger and the six-year-old Laragon De La Ronde accounted for fourth place (79.5), while in fifth was Nicola Casey and the six-year-old Chantilly Chateau Lady (79). Sixth place belonged to Josh Fitzgerald and the six-year-old Ccqs Suzie Q (78.5).

128cm

The 128cm division attracted a large entry, with 81 going to post over the three-round decider. The Foley family were back in the ribbons again, with young Harvey taking the win with the RDS stalwart The Silver Legend. The pair posted the fastest jump-off clear in 25.82.

Michael Barry also maintained a clean sheet with the seven-year-old Killorglin Boy, in a slower time of 28.31 for second. No stranger to the RDS, the 24-year-old Mickeybo will be returning this year having taken third place under the command of Joe Widger when clear in 29.96.

Last of the triple clears in a time of 31.24 was Donnacha Burns and Coppenagh Viking for fourth place. Connaught’s Edward Walsh finished as fastest of the four-faulters with Knockash Lady Bird in a time 28.45 for fifth place. Lily Russell travelled from Munster to book her place with Coppenagh With No Fear, finishing on four faults in a time of 28.89. Taking seventh place was Ronan Duffy and Twinkley Star Cedar, finishing on four faults in a time of 29.61.

Ellie Sheane and Shirsheen Cooley, winners of the 128cm six/seven-year-old RDS qualifier at Barnadown \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

128cm six/seven-year-olds

Taking the win in the 128cm six/seven-year-old age class was Ellie Sheane, when she finished on a score of 88.5 aboard the six-year-old Shirsheen Cooley. Josh Fitzgerald took second place with the six-year-old Inchala Du Roudoutous on a score of 85.5.

Edward Walsh and the seven-year-old Golden Jet took third place on a score of 83.5, ahead of Sonny McGovern and the seven-year-old Dough Pride on a final score of 83. Fifth place was filled by Jack Dore and Sparkling Killelary Boomerang (82), while in sixth place was Josh Fitzgerald and Newoaksvale Prince Charming (81.50).