TWO previously-qualified combinations topped both sections of the final RDS Junior/Young Rider event horse qualifier held at Rincoola on Tuesday resulting in the first tickets on offer going to Caitie Slater riding for her boss, Richard Ames.

In Section A, Wexford’s Matthew Kelly claimed the honours on his father Edward’s seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Fanlehane Nariah (293 points) and, in doing so, this combination won the league sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland.

Here Slater completed on 289 points with Ames’ traditionally-bred ISH gelding JFH Golden Spear. A five-year-old by the recently-deceased Jackaroo out of a Craigsteel mare from the family of Horseware Bushman (CCI4*), this chesnut has had five outings in EI100 company this season, twice under Slater.

Godfrey Gibbons finished third on the league runner-up, Liam Lynskey’s previously-qualified DS Conn Boy (288.5), which saw the second RDS ticket going to Sadie McMahon who placed fourth on the ISH gelding Creevagh Hilfiger (286.5). This six-year-old chesnut son of Camiro de Haar Z was bred by the late Ronnie Hollinger out of Creevagh Freda (by S Creevagh Ferro).

Tuesday proved a good day for the O’Haire family from Hawthorn Farm. First up, Jack won Section B of this class on Penny Guinness’ previously-qualified six-year-old home-bred ISH mare Jamaica Rose (301 points) who was to finish third in the league. A few hours later, the 10-furlong handicap at Roscommon was won by the Peter Fahey-trained Soaring Monarch, a six-year-old Free Eagle gelding bred by O’Haire’s father James and the Irish National Stud.

Caitie Slater’s second-place finish here on Ames’ five-year-old ISH gelding Belline Imperial Diamond (294) achieved three things.

Firstly, due to excellent qualification management, the rider quickly bagged herself a second ticket for the RDS final next month; secondly, Richard Ames will be represented by eight horses in the event horse section at Dublin; and thirdly, Belline Imperial Diamond will be yet another horse competing at the show representing Co Monaghan breeder Amelia Comiskey who stands his sire, the ISH stallion Imperial Hights, and bred the bay out of her Lester Lad mare, Diamond Beaker.

As both Carol Gee’s ISH gelding Redshire Pride (Chloe Fagan) and Lucy Kelly’s ISH mare Agatha Raisin (Jasper Kelly) completed on 287.5 and both had jumped clear, the second RDS ticket went to the Co Wicklow combination who had the higher ridden display mark. A seven-year-old bay by OBOS Quality 004, Agatha Raisin was bred in Co Kilkenny by Mary Carter out of Ballyquirke Brigade (by Clover Brigade).

League results – 1, Edward Kelly’s Fanlehane Nariah (Matthew Kelly) 7yo ch m by Sibon W – Rossaguile Q, by Castlecomer Q, bd Michael Walton 24 points; 2, Liam Lynskey’s DS Conn Boy (Godfrey Gibbons) 6yo b g by DS Are You With Me – Portroe Girl, by Silvano, bd Michael Barrett 22; 3, Penelope Guinness’s Jamaica Rose (Jack O’Haire) 6yo b m by Pointilliste – Nancy Belle, by Don Juan de la Bouverie, bd owner 21; 4, Marie Dunne’s Kilnamac Kasu (Godfrey Gibbons), 6yo b g by Kannan – Kilnamac Sue, by Cruising, bd James J. Ryan 20; 5, Angela McIlroy’s Imperial Wonder (Lucy McIlroy) 5yo ch g by Imperial Hights – Tiney, by Silver Wonder, bd Amelia Comiskey 17.