THE Tipperary Foxhounds are staging their autumn meeting at Lisronagh near Clonmel on Saturday, October 28th when they will again hold a ‘most appropriately dressed lady and gent’ competition which proved hugely popular and successful last season.

In addition, the organisers are catering for the younger racegoer this year with a ‘Halloween scary costume’ competition for those under 12. It is due to be judged at around 2pm, the time of the mares’ open. Racing will commence with a maiden for four-year-old mares which will be followed by one for similarly-aged geldings.

BEST DRESSED

“We had a great turn-out from both locals and the racing world for the best-dressed competition last year and hopefully will do so again this time,” said meeting secretary Ber Bourke who, during the summer, was elected chairman of the Tipperarys. “The fact that the meeting is being held over Halloween weekend made it easy to think of something to attract the younger generation.”

In spite of the success of last year’s side-saddle race, the hunt is not holding one this year but side-saddle riders are being catered for at today’s Tipperary Foxhounds Hunter Challenge Show at the Ponsonby family’s Grove Estate outside Fethard.

PRE-ENTERED

There are four pre-entered classes at the show where, among the judges are Timmy Hyde, who is taking a day off from a busy sales season, Goffs agent Ros Easom and leading show horse producer P.J. Casey, who will have at least one pointer to run in the spring season and may return to race-riding himself.