Route Hunt Charity Ride at Ballylagan

On Saturday 16th March 2013 40 Route Hunt members and friends meet at Ballylagan Equestrian Centre for a charity ride. Before setting of hunt treasurer Mike Alcorn and hunt master Philip White presented a cheque for £1000 to Mr Rex Humphries of the local Riding for Disabled Association group. Rex thanked all involved for the donation which would help the local RDA to continue the worthwhile work they do.

Hunt master Philip White then welcomed everyone to the meet and thanked all those at Ballylagan for the refreshments provided before setting off and for the work they had done in preparing the jumps at Ballylagan and at Mr Humphries farm. Philip reminded everyone that it was not compulsory to do all jumps especially if riders were not confident about them and that there was no shame in using a gate if necessary. The ride set off from Ballylagan at 12.30pm with a few medium sized barrels and brush fences to get everyone warmed up before the gallop track with several challenging fences which some riders gave a miss. The ride then left the gallop track jumping a double fence into a field with tyres, barrels, pipes, a 5 bar gate and a big drop hedge before heading onto Ballylagan Lane for a hack along  Coolyvenny Road. There was then a laneway with several styles, a feeder, tyres and barrels to jump before a  path where  trees had been dropped providing more fences. Several hedges were then tackled before heading back to the laneway and path for the second time. After 2.5 hours of good exercise all were ready to return to Ballylagan for  the soup, hot dogs  and cakes which Ballylagan staff and the Doherty brothers had provided. Despite the rain, a few near misses, 2 torn jackets and some offs most had enjoyed a good day out and had raised money for charity, an ideal end to a great hunting season.

Hunt members thank all those involved in the organising of the hunts this season for their hard work  and the farmers and landowners for the use of their land

The hunt committee hope to see all current members and new members next season out hunting, at the hunt BBQ in July at Ned’s Shed  and at all the other events that will be organised throughout the year.

For further details about The Route Hunt  please contact Philip White Hunt Master (07732630963) or Julie Smyth Hunt Secretary (07793209899)