ON the back of the Meath Hunt’s hunter performance and horse shows, the latest initiative - the Meath Hunt Derby - is the brainchild of former huntsman John Henry, Karl Smyth, Nicola Ennis Smyth, Pat Dillon and their team. It was held over a new and imaginative course, built by Eugene O’Neill, known for his association with Tattersalls.

It attracted over 100 competitors from teenagers to one gentleman who is over three score and 10, and sponsorship from over 40 organisations and individuals including jockeys and former jockeys. True to the spirit in the hunt, a donation from the proceeds of over €5,000 was made to The Injured Jockeys Fund, accepted by former champion jockey Paul Carberry who also took part in the event, as did his daughter Kacey Lou. This is in addition to €45,000 already distributed to local charities and health-related organisations.

Course and format

The course was a combination of show jumping and well-constructed cross-country fences - logs, gates, rustics, planks, banks, hedges, an arch and drops - but one of the most imposing was an old Ferguson tractor with a trailer that every competitor jumped very well. A Hickstead-style bank and water jump are already being planned.

Judges Louise Codd and Michael O’Toole observed how each competitor rode the course and the fluency of both horse and rider. Louise, a well-known event horse producer, commented: “This type of event has a wonderful structure and has so much potential for showcasing a horse’s performance as the course asks all the right questions and is especially important for identifying future event horses.” After each round, international HSI coach Susanne Macken assessed each horse for recovery, conformation and movement.

Cossie McGivern, a well-known horseman and important member of the Gordon Elliot Racing Stables, was ideal in the commentary box to keep competitors and spectators up to date with details.

Prize winners

The Novice event saw The Meath Hunt Cup and €250 presented to the winner Rachel Westphal on Clonross Giselle, with Katie Byrne on Fairyhouse Coco in second and Gemma Galligan on RBF Zach in third. The Intermediate event saw The Captain Con Power Perpetual Trophy and €500 presented to the winner, Rachel Finnegan on Immy, by Con’s son and former Aintree Grand National winner Robert Power. Ben Baker on Knockroost Coconut placed second and Linnea Larkin on Falduff Addilas was third.

The Open event, with The John Watson MFH Trophy, lost for over a century before being purchased for the hunt by joint master Niall O’Regan, and €1,000, went to Shauna Kidd on Kilossery Khalees, with Nicola Ennis Smyth on Devils Cape in second and Jason McKeown on SES Shiraz in third.

For the lap of honour, Meath huntsman Kenny Henry blew ‘Gone Away’ on John Watson’s old hunting horn, kindly donated by the late George Briscoe, former chairman of the Meath Hunt and master of the Tara Harriers for over 70 seasons. Watson’s hunting horn was probably last heard around the Meath Hunt kennels over 100 years ago.