Hunting community mourns Keogh

RAYMOND Keogh, a successful owner-breeder and a former Master of the Ward Union Hunt, will be laid to rest in Clane, Co Kildare, today (Saturday) following his funeral Mass in Maynooth at 10am.

A graduate of Clongowes, he was one of the country’s biggest cattle dealers in the 1970s-80s and also served on the board of the Irish National Stud. However, hunting was his real passion and Raymond was Master of the Ward Union for 20 seasons (1967-’86) and also served terms as the hunt chairman and honorary secretary. He was made a honorary life member for his services to the hunt in the 1990s. He will be buried in full hunting attire.

Predeceased by his wife Joan, Raymond Keogh is survived by Jonathan, Sarah, Rachel, Simon and Dominic.

Star of the Month winner

CONGRATULATIONS to John McEntee, winner of The Irish Field/GAIN Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for November. Well done John!

New horses for Darragh Kenny

DARRAGH Kenny, together with his owner Ann Thompson and other investors, has welcomed four new horses to his team for 2020. Among them is the 13-year-old gelding Carthano who was ridden for a time by Ireland’s Jeremy Sweetnam in 2019 and most recently at five-star level by Spain’s Manuel Fernandez Saro. The other three are just turned nine: Gelano (1.40m) from Britain’s Jonathon Buxton, Whysol Cornados (1.45m) from Italy’s Michael Cristofoletti and Good Choice (1.40m) from Almudena Terrasa Moll of Spain.

University world championships

THE Irish team at the World University Equestrian Championships in Switzerland this week scored two brilliant runner-up places in both the show jumping and combined competitions, while Anastasia Ripolin won the individual combined. Ripolin was joined on the team by Charlotte Dixon and Matthew McSorley. Well done to all.