YOUNG Mark O’Regan already has his bags packed ready for his trip to South Australia where he will take up duty as first whipper-in to the Oakland Foxhounds.

They hunt a country near Melbourne and are one of Australia’s most prestigious packs. They are hunted by Conor O’Dwyer who started his hunting career with David Lalor before going on to hunt the Island in Wexford.

Mark, an outstanding cross-country rider, has been amateur whipper-in to the Limerick Harriers for a couple of seasons and will be sadly missed. His trip is tinged with sadness as he lost his outstanding hunter Chester to a heart attack while hunting with the Harriers just last week.

Pony Tales is sure that all hunting people will wish Mark well in his new career down under.