Dublin Horse Show opened today under an unplanned blue sky which saw the grounds in the heart of Dublin sparkling and ready for 5 days of top competition in the Main Arena and the two outer rings which host the showing classes.

The forecast was very unsettling for Wednesday but it came to be completely wrong - and this was a bonus and saw smiling faces every where - from riders, grooms, spectators and workers around the place.

Our first look at the Main Arena showed us the new fences which have been built since last year - and without doubt the most impressive one is the new addition pictured left - the Owl will feature in the Future Event Horse classes run on Day Two.

The first class of the show in the Main Arena showed us the first of two qualifying classes for the 7 year old horses - the top 30 horses from the qualifiers presented to the judge today over the Tom Holden course.

Of the 30 horses entered, 27 started with 13

going through to the jump off which was hard fought with 10 finishing with double clear scores. The top 6 will go through to the final, with the next qualifying class also sending 6 through to the 12 horse final which will be held on Saturday in the Main Arena.

Time decided the final placings which gave the win to Clem McMahon and the Bingham & McMahon owned Valetino - pictured below left. Clem was third to go in the first round and first out in the jump off setting a pace which could not be beaten when he stopped the clock at 33.12secs.

Clem also qualified his second horse, Susan Stewart owned Belle Rock for the jump off and when he entererd the jump off, as the fourth last rider he again jumped a superb round which stopped the clock at 33.29secs which gave him second place.

Third place went to the diminutive, Olive Clarke and the smallish light bay owned by Deidre Bourns (mother of Andrew who is currently riding in the USA) - ridden to perfection, Mark Q - pictured below left - closed the book on their clean round in 34.46secs.

Eddie Moloney from Kilkenny, rode the Andrew Doogue owned Hoppers Hill - pictured below right - to fourth place when they stopped the clock on their clear round at 34.62secs.

Fifth place went to Trevor Breen in the saddle of John Crennan's Stoney Road Lad - pictured below left - when they backed up their clear jump off round with the time of 34.78secs and will appear in the final.

The final place today went to Captain Shane Carey riding the Minister for Defence's Annestown - pictured below right - when they stopped the clock at 34.79secs.

The remaining 24 riders have a second chance to qualify for the final.

Pictured left - just missing out on qualifying today placng 7th was the very in form Alex Butler, riding Raymond Donohue's chestnut horse, Carton Free - they stopped the clock at 35.35secs.

Pictured right - adding an international flavour to the National classes, is Australian, Scottie Barclay who now runs his own stables, Saltarin Lodge in Straffan, County Kildare.

They had a very unlucky rail in the jump off - but will not doubt be working for their place in the final