MICHAEL Higgens, who sadly passed away earlier this year, will be a huge loss to the hunting world. He had it all, exceptional huntsman, horseman, hound breeder, judge, raconteur, and truly gifted in every aspect of our great sport. He found his true vocation in life, and he found his true soul mate in Yvonne McClintock, a partnership that stood the test of time.

Life can be a great leveller, as only last November the Tipperary Foxhounds were making a presentation to Michael, their former master and huntsman, on his 50th season hunting with the Tipps. I interviewed Michael on a number of occasions, and he kindly penned the foreword for a book I wrote some years ago on biographies of 31 equestrian personalities, some living, and others that had passed on. He described my book as featuring, ‘The departed, those about to depart, and those with no intention of departing’! I don’t think Shakesphere could have matched that crafting of words, as he could effortlessly find the most fitting words for every occasion.