Mid Antrim Hunt host Inter Hunt Chase as qualifier for RDS in August

It attracted a good entry of teams from the Southern packs. Davy McLaughlin and his team had built a very imaginative course with all sorts of obstacles along the way, even including a pair of ghostly dummies at the end of the track.

The Saturday kicked off with the pony teams competing in the most difficult of conditions and much to the annoyance of Davy McLaughlin, who had been the chief course builder, the ground which had been perfect the day before, became saturated.

This did not deter the teams and the winning pony team, Rosie’s Rockets, consisted of Joe and Bob Hamilton, with Joe riding two different mounts, and Laura Gordon.

The Belgium Belles, named because of their very successful recent visit there for pony club games, were second with an all female team of Orla O’Kane, Erin Dunseath, Brigid Delargy and Courtney Hamilton. The Dingles with James and Sarah McNabney, Josh Marks and William Hamilton, were third.

The home team of the Mid Antrims were not so lucky this time with their team consisting of Beverley Caves, Richard Cowan, Fiona Magill and Orla McLaughlin, but Fiona Magill definitely gets the prize for stickability staying on her horse when it seemed impossible.

The one person who did not enjoy the day as much as he should, was Jamie Sloan, normally part of the team but grounded with a broken ankle, but he did manage to help out all he could and presented the rosettes on both days, with the aid of his crutches.

The organisers are very grateful to Clarke McCartney for giving up his whole weekend to man the microphone and as ever he provided a very entertaining commentary throughout the two days.

He has kindly agreed to help out again for the Dalriada Festival Beach Mounted Relay on July 15 and always provides plenty of humour to add to the day.

Many thanks to all the Southern teams for coming so far in spite of the rain and for the local teams of horses and ponies for competing.

They would also like to thank Ian Wilson of Wilson’s Auctions who very kindly provided the commentary van, Noel Fitzpatrick who was as helpful as ever bringing many of the jumps, Doherty and Gray for sponsoring much of the meat for the barbeque, Ballymena Rugby Club for providing such a perfect venue for all the hunt chasing as well as the evening’s entertainment, the hard-working ladies who beavered away with the food preparation.

Last but not least all Davy McLaughlin and his band of helpers who put so much work into the preparation, re-arrangment, and dismantling of the course.

The next events for the diary are the Mid Antrim Horse Show at Ballee, Ballymena on June 28 which will have a large range of classes for all from 50cms to 1.30 metre jumping plus Working Hunter for horses and ponies. Also the Dalriada Beach event on July 15.