THE Louth Foxhounds meet was at John and Sabine Butterley’s farm, where Philip Rice was parking all the horse boxes in an orderly fashion, while the hosts laid on some welcome tasty refreshments. The couple are tillage farmers, but have a connection with hunting, as Sabine hunted with the Louths when Michael McKeever and Terry Grant hunted the pack, and recalled some terrific days hunting but, more importantly, the fun they had at the time. I met John McKinney on the way and he is a true hunting man and a great help to the hunt. Drogheda is now encroaching into the hunt country, as the population has increased in recent years from 25,000 to 60,000. But it is a wonderful time of the year to be in the countryside, especially this area with all its Autumn elegance, with trees golden and rustic colours, and the woods and gorse a haven for wildlife.

The Butterley farm is near Beaulieu House Estate and there is yet another equestrian connection, as the Waddingtons of Beaulieu played an important role in the thoroughbred and show jumping field. The highlight, as we all know, of the Dublin Horse Show is the Aga Khan Nations Cup. The stands are packed and the Army Bands escort all the teams into the Main Arena, and the President of Ireland later presents the trophy to the winning team. But people often wonder how did His Highness Sir Sultan Mohammed Shah Aga Khan III come to sponsor the famous trophy? He was well-acquainted with Ireland, purchasing his first stud farm Sheshoon Stud in 1923. Over the years, the Aga Khan and his family had a number of Irish tutors, Mr Gallagher, Mr Kenny and Mr Lawrence, with the association originating in Bombay, India. Nesbit Waddington of Beaulieu House on the Boyne Estuary was stud manager for His Highness Aga Khan III. Previously, Charlie Waddington was Principle of Mayo College in Ajmra in India, who taught many of the Aga Khan’s family. Charlie Waddington continued as tutor to Prince Aly Khan when he moved to Britain. When the Aga Khan heard that Ireland were hosting a Nations Cup in 1926, he offered to put up a cup for the event. Six countries competed for the first Aga Khan Nations Cup in 1926, Switzerland, Ireland, France, Holland, Belgium and Great Britain, which the Swiss won with Ireland second. The Irish team were Dan Corry, Ged O’Dwyer and Cyril Harty. In 1927, the Swiss won again with Ireland fourth. But in 1928, Ireland won for the first time with Dan Corry, Ged O’Dwyer and Cyril Harty. The Irish Army team then won a remarkable four Aga Khan Nations Cups in a row from 1935-38.