THE organisation by David Lawlor, joint master of the Laois Foxhounds, and his team was again superb for the National Hound Show at Stradbally Hall, courtesy of the Cosby family, with Julien Cosby and his daughter Antoinette as well as Thomas and David all involved in the presentations. It was challenging for both hunt staff and the hounds in 26 degrees of balmy sunshine, especially as they were wearing the full hunting attire of Melton wool jackets, designed for winter wear. But there was adequate water on site for both man and hound and maybe the sauna-like clothing was helpful for some in toning up for hound road exercise. There was also a party atmosphere, with picnic tables and fine food the order of the day.

A minute’s silence was called as Liam McAlinden, former huntsman of the East Galway Foxhounds, passed away the previous week and, more recently, Dot Ronan of the Tipperary Hunt and Tom Berney Snr of Berney Brothers Saddlers of Kilcullen. Despite all the political discussions on the future of hunting, more young ladies and men have joined the professional whipper-in roles, and one young man, 18-year-old Peter Kiely, is settled into his future career in hunting as whipper-in of the Limerick Foxhounds. One man missed was Ryan Carvill, who always brings a superb team of hounds and knows how to show them too. Antoinette De La Bouillerie and her husband Olivier, who hunt their family pack, the Rallye des Grands Loups, at their home Chateau de Lathan in the Anjou Region of France, were taking in a few horse shows also on their visit. They are great supporters of the Irish Sport Horse and the Irish Draught, as Antoinette is a seasoned side saddle rider.