All ready for the challenge. Members of the Headfort Riding Club (from left) Gemma Quinn, Damien Quinn, Marie-Helene Finegan and Kim McInerney and their horses will have the Dublin Horse Show to prepare for in the coming weeks .

Headfort Riding Club get ready for the Show

Published: Wed 1 Jun 2022, 11:20 AM

Last updated: Wed 1 Jun 2022, 11:53 AM

Newcomers to the equestrian scene - Headfort Riding Club (which was founded in October 2019) - will make their first visit to the Dublin Horse Show for the final of the AIRC Team Show Jumping Championship after they were the only team to finish with nothing to add.

Eleven teams representing six clubs took part in the Midlands qualifier which took place at the National Horse Sport Arena in Blanchardstown where Shane Brooks set the challenge over the coloured poles.

Just two teams were level after the opening round with Headfort and Mo Chara both on zero. Headfort followed closely behind on one-time penalty while Kilrainy, Tara Hill and another team from Mo Chara were further back on four penalties.

Headfort went on to win the qualifier after they were the only club to finish the two rounds on a zero score. The team of Gemma Quinn (Happy Chap), Damien Quinn (Balline Bobby), Marie Helene Finegan (Eponastables Lagaun Prince) and Kim McInerney (Dicksgrove Bellatrix) will go forward to the final in August. The club's second teams also entered the competition and came fifth. The team was Lynsey Rogers, Nessa Maguire and Lorraine McConnon.

Kilrainy and Mo Chara were both level on four penalties with time deciding the placings. The Mo Chara team of Nicole Fleming (Kapalga), Brian Dunne (Quarrycrest River Dancer), Liam Keogh (Amber Ferro) and Suzann McLoughlin (Tara Emerald) had the advantage with almost four seconds to spare over Kilrainy to get another change at the wildcard qualifier in June.