02 Jul Leinster Pony riders collect RDS tickets in Barnadown
Barnadown in Wexford hosted the final round of pony, young rider, and children on horses qualifiers last weekend. On Saturday, pony riders were the first to contest for their coveted tickets to the Dublin Horse Show, with Leinster riders strongly represented.
In the 148cm decider, Leinster competitors dominated the leaderboard, securing the top four places in a nine-way jump-off. Nicole Reynolds claimed the first ticket on the eight-year-old Jimmy’s Moon, producing a double clear in 41.97 seconds. Robbie Sheehan and Knockroe Clover Mor followed closely, also double clear, in 42.75. Bonnie Loughrey and Infinity posted the last of the double clears, finishing in 42.85 for third place. Ted Fagan incurred a time fault in the second round with Ballyfore Rosie, clocking 45.13 to secure fourth. Alex Sheehan and Ballynoe Lurgan Diamond were the fastest of the four-faulters with 42.70 for sixth, while Alice Moloney and Cqs X Factor ended eighth with 12 faults in 39.68.
The 148cm six/seven-year-old class drew the largest field, with 81 combinations vying for six available tickets. Leinster’s Alanna Keeling and the seven-year-old Nola Hdh finished second with a clear round in 33.67. Securing the final ticket in sixth place was Leinster’s Calum Duignan on the six-year-old Parkroe Jane, triple clear in 41.67.
138cm
Ruby Kelly enjoyed an outstanding day, taking both first and second place in this one-round class. She topped the leaderboard with the five-year-old Rws It’s the Game Changer before opting to retire in the second round along with the other 10 combinations who had gone clear in the first. Kelly also secured second place with Little Red Baron in 69.26. Blathnaid Murphy on the eight-year-old Orchid’s Serata finished sixth with a time of 72.61, and Ava O’Neill with Tynagh Sunshine was seventh in 73.15. Leinster’s Rachel Sheehan and Cuffesgrange In It To Win It completed their round in 75.82 for ninth, while Ellie Sheane on Conazar took tenth with 77.69.
In the 138cm six/seven-year-old section, Leinster’s Lauren McGrath took second place on the six-year-old Colorado Springs Bs, finishing in 74.25.
128cm
A competitive field of 55 combinations took on the 128cm track, which was run over two rounds and yielded nine double clears. Gracie Kelly secured seventh place with Red City Sparrow, finishing in 39.22.
Meanwhile, in the 128cm six/seven-year-old class, Taylor O’Neill and the seven-year-old Shirsheen Cooley claimed sixth place with a mark of 66.25.