NO less than 18 hunts are set to take part in the Berney Bros. Huntsman’s Team Challenge which takes place on Sunday, November 19th at the Punchestown Winter Festival and aims to raise over €10,000 for the Irish Injured Jockeys.

Generously sponsored once again by Tom Berney of Berney Bros in Kilcullen, the event has grown from last year where the victor was Niall Mahon from the Westmeath Foxhounds from 11 participating hunts taking part.

The centrepiece Berney Bros. Huntsman’s Cross Country Challenge demonstration will take place over a one and a half mile section of the famous Punchestown banks course. An introduction parade of challengers will commence at 10.50am in the parade ring prior to the demonstration at 11.20am. Another addition is the parade of hounds by the Carlow Farmers and the Bray hunts.

There’ll be great fun also with the sack race taking place in the parade ring between races, while the fashion stakes will be well catered for with the Most Appropriately Dressed for Racing Hunt Member competition.

The only qualifying factor for the style stakes is that contenders must be aged 40 years and over. The three elements of the day will be scored on a points system with the hunt that has accumulated the most points being crowned as 2017 Berney Bros. Huntsman Team Challenge Champions.

All hunt supporters are encouraged to come along on the day to support their respective packs and in doing so, raise funds for a brilliant cause. There will be a reserved hospitality zone in the newly refurbished Budweiser Sports Bar for Berney Bros. Huntsman’s Team Challenge participants and supporters where they can enjoy the seven-race card including the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle. Live music will take place after racing.

Event sponsor Tom Berney of Berney Bros said: “Further to the success of the inaugural event last year it is great to see it growing and attracting even more support. We see customers from hunting and racing coming through the doors of the shop every day so this is a super opportunity to give something back. Berney Bros. Kilcullen are delighted to be involved in what is the coming together of racing and hunting for a very worthwhile cause.”

Each participating hunt representative must raise a minimum of €600 for the Irish Injured Jockeys to qualify for the 2017 Berney Bros. Huntmans Team Challenge.

Each hunt has been issued with an allocation of discounted tickets.

2017 HUNTING CHALLENGE

1. Kildare Hunt

2. Meath Hunt

3. Farney Harriers

4. Carlow Farmers Hunt

5. North Tipperary

6. County Down Stag Hounds

7. County Galway Blazers

8. Ormond Hunt

9. Kilworth & Araglen

10. Island Hunt

11. South Union Hunt

12. Leitrim Hunt

13. Ballymacad Hunt

14. Westmeath Foxhounds

15. Limerick Hunt

16. Louth Hunt

17. Bray Hunt

18. North Kerry Hunt

The Punchestown Winter Festival also takes place on November 18th and 19th. See www.punchestown.com further details.