DAIRY farmers Joe and Barbara McGreal opened Corbeagh House to point-to-pointing for the first time last Sunday, having staged Pony Club and Riding Club one-day events at their Moatfarrell home for some time.

“Linda Gallagher (joint-secretary for the meeting with Carol Ross) approached us two years ago about holding a point-to-point but Joe wanted to wait until he had things exactly right before going ahead,” explained Barbara.

“We knew we had a natural amphitheatre at that part of the farm but Joe had to sort out some drainage issues and clear out the whitethorn bush which would have restricted viewing.

“As the land drains down into the fields where the track was laid out it should never get too firm.”

This is certainly a good viewing track (you could also see the swans on the nearby lake) and while the turn into the back straight is a bit tight, there is plenty of time between there and the finish for horses to make up ground. Some thought the track might ride better left-handed.

Although a new venue, there were many experienced people from both the Westmeath and Longford Harriers among the officials.

Corbeagh House was well signposted from all directions and nine bookmakers attended the meeting which was run to time with the last of six races going off at 2.30pm.

This seemed a little early to be heading home on a bright autumn Sunday.

Horsemen remembered

BEFORE the third race, commentator Richard Pugh called for a minute’s silence in memory of Westmeath horsemen Jimmy Tormey and Cecil Rolandson, who had died within the past few weeks, and for Champion Hurdle-winning jockey and trainer Dessie Hughes whose death was announced on Sunday morning.

Corbeagh jumpers

THE McGreals are well-known in the sport horse world as breeders of both horses and ponies.

Currently they are represented in show jumping by the Lux Z gelding Corbeagh Luxor, who is owned by rider Dermott Lennon and his brother Cathal, and the up-and-coming Corbeagh Supreme who is ridden for Barbara by local professional Mary Ellen Rice. A five-year-old gelding by Luidam, Corbeagh Supreme is a half-brother to the eventing stallion Honour Cruise (by Cruising) who stands with his rider Oliver Townend at the Harthill Stud in Cheshire.

Joe and Barbara’s daughter Aisling, a very successful member of the Longford Pony Club who was in charge of the number cloths on Sunday, is jumping Corbeagh Luxor’s half-brother Corbeagh Breeze (by Clover Flush).