Mid Antrim Hunter Trials at Knockan Rd, Broughshane
Paul Caves 2nd in Open
On Saturday 12th October the Mid Antrim Hunt held a Hunter Trials at Andy Hamilton’s farm, Knockan Rd, Broughshane. It was a classic Hunter Trials of the sort that don’t happen too often nowadays and Andy and his team spent an enormous amount of time and effort building a brand new course with a great variety of proper hunting fences.
Fiona Magill and Jamie Sloan worked from dawn till dusk creating the fences with Andy on the tractor and his son Joe putting in more work than most grown men. Not to be left out his brother Bob was putting in the mileage on the quad, acting as gofer. The course was over at least 16 fields and needed a fit horse with a huge range of fences from stone walls, ditches, hedges and, for the Open course, some extremely testing drops.
The Novice course rode beautifully with smaller options for any of the more difficult obstacles. It was a perfect course for schooling a young horse and any who got stuck were allowed to get a lead from the next horse, so that everyone finished in spite of being technically eliminated. The Novice competition was won by Robert Gault
Jamie Sloan Winner Open Class
riding Betty with second place going to Joe Hamilton, the birthday boy who was 15 on the day, on Henry. Sheelagh Canty was absolutely delighted to come third on her lovely young horse Timmy who came from Hugh Dunlop.
The pairs competition attracted a good entry including several matched coloured horses and it was won by Orla O’Kane and Jamie Lee Mark who put in a very professional round at a steady pace and deserved their first place. Jamie Sloan and Joe Hamilton on the show horses Lady and Drumlane Sally, came second, proving their versatility, and the somewhat too speedy Dennis O’Brian and Walter Irvine were third ahead of Beverley Caves on the big chestnut Dooley with Bob Hamilton on the very much smaller Stan the Man in fourth.
The testing Open course included several of the fences that had been used in the Team Chase course held here several years ago, notably Andy’s Leap, a fearsome drop. Several people walking the course decided to go for the easier but slower option of two fences and several more tried the drop but after one stop took the option. Only one rider, Jamie Sloan was brave enough to take the leap and came in on time to win the competition on his Dublin Show hunt chase horse Callie, beating Paul Caves who sensibly took the safer option not wanting to scare his wife Beverley’s young horse Leo. There were quite a few problems for competitors on the Open Course with several eliminations but again they were allowed to fall in behind another rider and everyone came through the finish very pleased with the experience.
Jamie Sloan Winner Open Class
Many thanks go to Andy Hamilton and his family for their great efforts in putting on this event and for the use of their farm, with Judith Hamilton handling the difficult task of pulling all the administration together before and during the day. Fiona Magill and Jamie Sloan should be very proud of their work which resulted in such a successful day and thanks are due to all the entry takers, fence stewards, Wilson’s Auctions for the commentary box, Cunningham Covers for the marquee, Katrina Mackie for the prizes and all the other helpers.
Results:
Open Singles
1. Jamie Sloan riding Callie
2. Paul Caves riding Leo
Novice Single
1. Robert Gault – riding Betty
2. Joe Hamilton – riding Henry
3. Sheelagh Canty – riding Timmy
4. James McNabney – riding Pedro
Tommy Caves, Andy Hamilton & pairs winners Orla O’kane & Jamie Lee Mark
5. Miriam Wright – riding Castletown Lad
6. Anthea Moffatt – riding Chip
Novice Pairs
1. Orla O’Kane and Jamie Lee Mark – riding Sandy and Thunder
2. Jamie Sloan and Joe Hamilton – riding Lady and Drumlane Sally
3. Denis O’Brian and Walter Irvine – riding Freddie and Mr Spooks
4. Beverly Caves and Bob Hamilton – riding Dooley and Stan the Man
5. Jackie Bell and Colin Marshall – riding Archie and Blue
6. Danielle McKeown and Gemma Dennison – riding Tinkerbell and Murphy
