JOHN Hyde must be one of the busiest equine veterinary surgeons in these islands so I was lucky to be able to catch up with him for The Irish Field. The last time we met was in Limerick’s Regional hospital where he was recovering from a fall taken during the 2019 renewal of the famed Athlacca Ride. He was a little the worse for wear having numerous broken ribs, punctured lung and other associated issues. Such injuries might end the hunting career of lesser men but the gallant doctor is made of sterner stuff and was back in the saddle in a couple of weeks.

A man of uncertain years, John has practised veterinary for over 50 years. He came back to Cork almost immediately from college to join his father’s practice, then based in Blackrock on the outskirts of Cork City. His father, Sean Hyde, would at that time would have been one of Ireland’s best known vets, having been a long-time member of the Veterinary Council and served a term as president of the Irish Veterinary Association.