WITH the huge increase in the popularity of side saddle riding in Ireland in recent years, many hunts are now organising meets for those brave enough to venture forth riding aside. During January and February there is a feast of days organised and these very often include a social event in the evening making it the perfect excuse for a weekend away in some of Ireland’s best hunting country following some of the finest packs of hounds.

Having grown from the initial side saddle hunts, organised by Susan Oakes in the Meath country in February and October 2012 to 50 riders following the Meaths in January 2013 and then 60 following the Tara Harriers in November 2013, these hunts are now becoming a regular feature of the hunting calendar.

The Stonehall Harriers in Co Limerick were the latest to hold such a weekend in November. This trend now seems to have caught on.

At the same time as the Meaths were holding their early meets, many riders who at the time did not feel brave enough for the hunting field, enjoyed some wonderful cross-country rides, organised by the Side Saddle Association, around Mount Juliet Estate, Co Kilkenny.

Now the Kilkenny Foxhounds will be holding their side saddle meet at Mount Juliet on Saturday, January 30th at 11am. Mount Juliet is also home to the historic Kilkenny Hunt kennels, purpose built when the estate was owned by the McCalmont family. For more information, telephone Tom Bolger on 086 0434633 or Ciara O’Connell on 087 2266321.

For those interested in following a pack of hounds with a growing reputation in the field as well as on the flags, then the Island Foxhounds is the pack to visit. Young huntsman, Conor Dwyer took the National Hound Show, Stradbally, by storm in July 2015, where their Buster took the entered doghound class and stood overall Champion Doghound and Paragon took the stallion class and stood reserve overall. In a season which has been deemed by many to have been ‘somewhat difficult’ for hounds due to horrific weather conditions, Conor said: ‘‘When we are getting out, hounds are trying their hardest and producing some good days in difficult scenting conditions.”

The Island Foxhounds, meet at Clobemnon Hall, Ferns, Co Wexford, is on Saturday, February 20th followed by an evening social event. The cost is €50 for a single person and €80 for a couple. (Telephone the secretary at 087 2066815 for more information.)

The Tipperary Foxhounds have a history of side saddle riding and legendary side saddle rider Jonie Wragg was born and brought up in the county, she follows hounds all over Ireland riding aside and has been a role model for many starting out.

The Tipperary Foxhounds are hosting a meet at Cloneen on Saturday, February 27th followed by the Hunt Ball at Minella Hotel, Clonmel. Jacqui Freyne, wife of joint -master Tom Freyne, has recently taken up riding aside in memory of her grandmother, Ann Grey, who hunted the West Waterfords aside. Jacqui said: “We were looking for a way of encouraging visitors to The Tipps and the idea was put forward at a committee meeting, I, myself, hunted with the Tara Harriers, at their side saddle day in 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, so we thought why not organise a similar weekend ourselves?”

Tickets for the side saddle hunt are €50 or for €100, you can attend both the hunt and the ball. Contact Jacqui Freyne at 087 262 9950 or email jacqui.freyne@gmail.com

Tickets for the ball alone are €60 and available from Trish Mulhall on 087 2750773.

Hirelings for all these meets are available from Pat Loughlin at Gowran Hunt Horses (telephone 087 2990187). He added: “The horses seem to take a side saddle quite happily, our main problem is saddles. We are hoping that most riders will bring their own saddle!”