POLLY Portwin, the hunting editor at Britain’s Horse & Hound magazine is to take up a new role with the Countryside Alliance next month.

Portwin, who is a regular visitor to Ireland and a former senior master of the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, will be the new Head of Hunting at the Countryside Alliance.

Before she takes up her new role, Portwin will line out in the Countryside Alliance Charity Race at Aintree, tomorrow, October 23rd. Fourth in this race at Aintree in 2011, she has been riding out for Alan and Lawney Hill in Oxfordshire as part of her preparation.

Also lining out will be Charles Clark, joint master and huntsman of the Holderness hunt; David Redvers, bloodstock agent, whose clients include the Qatari royal family; Oliver Dale, huntsman and a joint master of the Ludlow hunt; Richard Tyacke, joint master and huntsman of the Wynnstay; and Molly Dingwall, Aintree’s regional business development executive.

Also challenging will be Tessa Dollar, event rider and show jumper; David O’Brien, the leading veteran and novice rider on the British point-to-point scene; and last, but certainly not least, 2013 Grand National winner Ryan Mania.

Polo banquet

THE Federation of Irish Polo Clubs awards night and banquet will take place at Barberstown Castle, Straffan, Co Kildare on Friday, November 25th.

Beginning with a prosecco reception at 7.30pm, the dinner and awards will take place in the Elizabethan Rooms at 9pm. The guest speaker is Bernard Durkan, TD.

To book tickets at €55 per person, contact Kim Mullahey on 087-2055927 or by email to kmullahey10@gmail.com.

Hunt canter

THE Wexford Hunt’s annual Hunt Canter will take place at Camross, Co Wexford, tomorrow Sunday, October 23rd. The impressive 12-mile course consists of a mixture of natural and manmade fly fences. The start time is from 9.30am and all enquiries should be made to 085-8511645.