PUPPY walkers in Kildare Hunt country had a great opportunity to catch up with some of their former residents at the Kildare Hunt Puppy Show at Punchestown last weekend.

Each summer, young pups are sent out to members and supporters to be educated for a few months and, during the puppy show held the following summer, they come together to see how these lovely hounds have turned out and to also be thanked for their contribution to the hunt.

Last Saturday, over 50 guests gathered to see 13 couple of young hounds be judged by David Beecher and Liam Geary. It was a testament to the hunt staff that they were in great order, and afterwards Beecher commended huntsman Padhraic Moynihan and his team on the immaculate kennels and the fine condition of all the hounds.

The doghounds were first on show and the judges found their winner in Kildare Godfrey, who was walked by the Dillon family. Goshawk was second (walked by the Holohan family), followed by Goodman, also walked by the Dillon family.

William Coughlan (10) with new entry, Kildare Marshall, at the Kildare Hunt Puppy Show last Saturday \ Siobhan English Photography

The bitches were next and the winner here (and overall hound champion) was Kildare Goodness, walked by the Holohan family. Mayfly, who was walked by the Corcoran family, was second, followed by Lapwing, walked by Lucy Leigh.

Following presentations to the walkers for the first three in each class, plaques were awarded to all the walkers from last season and trophies and cups were awarded to the walkers for hounds who excelled in the hunting field over the past season.

Cup winners

Young Nathan Barrett, who has been a tremendous help to the hunt, was on hand to collect the Beaumont Perpetual Cup for best working dog, Driver, while Mark Murtagh collected the Master’s Perpetual Cup for best working older hound, Daydream.

Robert Storey Junior picked up the David Reid Scott Memorial Cup for best working bitch, Grapefruit. The Storey family also won it in 2023.

The puppy show was an ideal opportunity to introduce new hunt staff for the forthcoming season. Padhraic Moynihan’s brother Gearoid has taken up the roll as whipper-in.

Jack Henry is the new countryman. He is steeped in hunting as nephew of Meath Foxhounds’ huntsman Kenny Henry.