THERE was a large turnout for showhorse producers Kieran and Mairead Ryan’s lawn meet for the Goldburn Beagles at their Cabragh Lodge Farm in Oldtown, north County Dublin, which has produced a succession of Dublin Horse Show champions over the years. Kieran is not only an honorary whipper-in to the Ward Union Staghounds, but also joint-master of the Louth Foxhounds. His wife Mairead (Curran) many will remember representing Ireland in eventing on her horse Watercolour particularly in the European Championships in Punchestown.

After refreshments, the Goldburn huntsman Michael Lynch, whose father Andy whipped into the Wards for over 30 seasons and was travelling head man for trainer Noel Meade, and Goldburn master Aileen Williams Byrne and some 60 followers set off across Ryans farm and then on to Laurence Wards who is also a keen hunt follower of the Ward Union. His son John Denis and the Ryan twins Ivan and James joined Colin Byrne, Mervyn Williams, Gaz Byrne and James Ryan on whipping-in duties.