RDS INTRODUCES QUALIFIERS FOR ITS WORKING HUNTER PONY CLASSES

The RDS will run qualifiers for its five Working Hunter Pony classes at this year’s Dublin Horse Show, which takes place from Wednesday, the 14th to Sunday, the 18th of August inclusive.

Four regional qualifiers will be held in conjunction with the Irish Pony Society (IPS).  The qualifiers will commence on Wednesday, the 29th of May at Sceilig Sport Horses, Carrignavar, Co. Cork, followed by Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath on Wednesday, the 19th of June, Moira Equestrian Centre, Co. Armagh on Thursday, the 27th of June, and Killossery Lodge Stud, Swords, Co. Dublin on Wednesday, the 3rd of July.

With five different classes per qualifier, there will be a category to cater for competitors of all ages, mirroring the existing Working Hunter Pony classes at Dublin Horse Show. 

The Working Hunter Pony Starter Stakes is open to riders who have not attained their 12th birthday by the 1st of January 2024, with ponies who are 4 years old or over but not exceeding 133cms.  In addition to the Starter Stakes there will be qualifier classes for the following:

• Riders who have not attained their 14th birthday by 1st of January 2024 riding ponies not exceeding 133cms
• Riders who have not attained their 17th birthday by 1st of January 2024 riding ponies exceeding 133cms but not exceeding 143cms.
• Riders who have not attained their 20th birthday by 1st of January 2024 riding ponies exceeding 143cms but not exceeding 153cms. Riders who have attained their 14th birthday but not attained their 25th birthday by 1st of January 2024 riding ponies exceeding 143cms but not exceeding 158cms.

With the exception of the Working Hunter Pony Starter Stakes, which is open to mares and geldings only, the other four classes are open to mares, geldings, and stallions, who are aged four years old and over. 

A maximum of 20 pony and rider combinations will qualify for each of the five Working Hunter Pony classes at the Show; five combinations per class, at each of the four qualifiers. 

The classes are open to all competitors, regardless of whether they are IPS members or not.  However, with the exception of the Working Hunter Pony Starter Stakes, in order to take part in the qualifiers, ponies must have achieved a Minimum  Eligibility Requirement (MER) of one of the following: 50 IPS points, Grade C with Showjumping Ireland or Pony B with Eventing Ireland, and / or riders must have achieved the Irish Pony Club C Test.  In addition, pony and rider combinations must compete in a minimum of two Working Hunter Pony qualifiers in order to be deemed qualified for the Show.

Online entry for the Working Hunter Pony qualifiers will be available via the following link: www.itsplainsailing.com/club/ips.  Entries must be submitted by 5pm on the Sunday preceding each qualifier.  This deadline will be strictly adhered to.

For further information on Working Hunter Pony qualifiers such as the marking system, rules, fence heights, permitted tack etc, visit  - www.dublinhorseshow.com/equestrian-information/performance-classes/working-hunter-ponies 

The Irish Pony Society will run training in advance of the qualifiers to assist competitors with their preparation for all aspects of the competition, this training will be open and accessible to all who wish to avail of it.  Further information will be available on the IPS website - www.irishponysociety.ie