AS side saddle rider Hazel Valentine so aptly put it, ‘Grip n’ rip it’ well and truly was the name of the game as a full field of 14 took to the track at Lisronagh point-to-point last Sunday for the 10-furlong flat ladies’ side saddle race.

According to Ciara O’Connell, one of the driving forces behind side saddle in Ireland: “there is no record of a ladies’ side saddle race being held in Ireland before.”

Race organisers Jacqui Freyne and point-to-point secretary Bernadette Bourke put on a momentous event. The large crowd that gathered to watch the closing spectacle was a testament to their efforts.

Ladies from nine different counties around Ireland travelled to the beautiful Tipperary venue to take part in the race. The stellar line-up included Kildare riders Hazel Valentine and Sarah Conway, Conway has competed side saddle at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and both riders regularly partake in side saddle hunts and shows around the country.

Two other hot contenders included race organiser Jacqui Freyne, riding Ian Fitzgerald’s Lisroe Warrior, and local lady Amelia Turner, who rides out for Evanna McCutcheon and was declared to ride David Nagle’s Money Bags. Amory McMahon from Galway was also in attendance.

McMahon won the intermediate side saddle class at the Dublin Horse Show in July and won the Kildare Side Saddle Hunter Performance aboard Currantarmuid Inis Free, her mount for the race.

The race was open to non-thoroughbred horses only, many of which hunt frequently with their local packs and all were impeccably behaved as the ladies mounted in the parade ring and headed down to the start.

LOCAL WIN

With membership to hunt with the Tipperary Foxhounds stipulated as first prize, all the ladies were out to win and when the starter let them off, they set out at a blistering pace.

The early leaders were odds-on favourite Amelia Turner from Tipperary and Galway’s Amory McMahon, they lead by almost six lengths from Hazel Valentine in third aboard Colin Barrett’s Summer Bridge Jordan, with the main pack, who had settled into a steady pace, a further two lengths behind.

There was plenty of movement as the field rounded into the back straight and this is where Sarah Killeen from Meath made her move aboard Funny Grey.

Killeen came up to challenge Turner, who had lead from the outset, and the pair put plenty of distance between the rest of the field. It was an out and out battle as they rounded the bottom corner into the home straight.

Killeen pushed out Funny Grey, but Money Bags was still on the bridle a furlong from home.

The crowd really got behind them but local favourites Turner and Money Bags ran out a length in front for a commanding win in this spectacular showcase of talent, skill and endurance. Killeen was a worthy second with Jacqui Freyne in third.