WE don’t know if Horse Sport Ireland are checking him out as a future team leader, but recently retired jockey Paul Carberry made a superb debut as chef d’equipe at the East Antrim Hounds’ team chase day last Saturday.

Held on the Bright family farm outside Templepatrick, the event proved a huge success even if the main competition of the day saw the Louths beat the Kildares in a clash of foxhound packs in the final. Third place was divided between the hosts and the Fingal Harriers, whose Val Ward won the gate jumping competition at 1.45m.

East Antrim dominated the junior individual chase, claiming the first four places through William Hamilton, Courtney Hamilton, Benjamin Gilmore and Samantha Billings, who won the turn-out award, with the Fingals’ Nicole Bennett finishing fifth.

Carberry’s celebrity team comprised trainer Stuart Crawford and his amateur rider brother Ben, Northern Ireland senior soccer team physiotherapist Caroline Woods and her partner, the Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Peter Maher; all great riders across the country.

The turn-out award went to the team captained by James Jenkins but, we’re told and can believe, it was Shelley Boyle who was responsible for all the plaiting, etc.

There was a great view of the track from the hill overlooking the course and that’s where the large crowd of spectators parked before, encouraged by the good weather, they sat out for the day. George Logan, who is well-known to racegoers at the East Antrim point-to-points, was commentator for the day while Jonjo Bright and his sister Grace presented the prizes.

Incidentally, while the Crawfords were galloping around the Brights’ farm, their uncle Edwin Bryson of the Newry Harriers et al, was competing at the Lowther horse driving trials near Penrith. Seventh after dressage in the open horse class, Edwin won the marathon to take the lead and stayed there after the cones.

Richard Logan from Randalstown was second in the open pony pairs and, for the second year running, was fastest over the bridge which saw him win £200.