LAST weekend witnessed the annual Adamstown Show take place in Co Wexford and marked the country show’s 71st anniversary. The famous show also played host to an exciting hunt chase display.

Martin Marcell lead his team to design a tough course to include bending poles, to help slow the speed due to the hard ground conditions caused by the country’s recent spell of beautiful sunshine.

It may have taken 14 years for the Wexford Hunt team to reclaim victory on home turf but they did just that at Adamstown Show last weekend, taking home the John Cullen Trophy. It was a bittersweet prize giving as the trophy was named after Paul Cullen’s late father, John Cullen.

It was a proud day to take home the John Cullen Cup as Mr Cullen sadly passed away in a boating accident in previous years. Mr Cullen held the position of whipper-in to the Wexford Hunt. His son Paul has taken up the position and responsibility of whipping in to the Wexford pack. Both team members Franky Barron and Shane O’Brien hunted alongside John in previous years so it was a special win for all team members.

The winning Wexford team comprised of members: Franky Barron, Garry Murphy, Shane O’Brien and Katie Stafford and accompanied by chef d’equipe Dorothy Keating (aka Mammy)!

The hunt chase community then packed their bags and horse boxes to move to Scar Show last Sunday to compete once again at their exciting sport. The reigning league table leaders, the Killinick Hunt team took the title in a thrilling finish in Scar. Team members included Johnny Roche, James Rath, Kiera Walsh and Katie Stafford.

The hunt chase community sent get well wishes to Fingal team rider Brian Mullen who had a bad fall last Sunday. He was the last rider to go for the Dublin team, but he took a bad fall and broke his ankle. He was set to go for surgery midweek. We all wish Brian well and of course, the speediest of recoveries.