HAWTHORN Farm’s James O’Haire was among the many Irish visitors to Le Lion d’Angers last week, but he wasn’t there for long. His sole purpose was to have his son, Jack, walk Pierre Michelet’s cross-country track, as they hope to have a runner at the French event next autumn.

“I was always going to bring Tadgh (youngest son who competes in ponies) with us, but then Darragh, who has nothing to do with horses, decided he’d like to come along as well,” related James. “The party also included my recently-married neighbour, Conor McGuinness, and his wife, Abby (Clancy of Ballyteague Stables), and then, as we had one drop-out, I asked David Nestor if his son, Tom (the junior team rider), would like to join us, so he came with us as well.