Watch Irish hunters do battle in thrilling hunt chase at Dublin Horse Show

The final of the hunt chase at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show 2013 was hard fought between the Killinick Harriers and Westmeath Foxhounds.

The Killinick Harriers team (nearside on the video below) of John Roche, Benny Walsh, Kiera Walsh and Joe Codd triumphed over Westmeath Foxhounds’ Suzanne Macken, Niall Dunne, Ken Connell and Darren Weldon around the challenging course.

Eight Irish hunts took part in the exciting competition, which incorporated natural obstacles in the main arena. Each team included one member of hunt staff, one lady rider, a rider over the age of 35 and a male rider over 12.5stone. A hunting horn was used as a baton.

The course consisted of brush fences and mobile cross-country obstacles, plus fences on rising and falling ground, plus jumps in and out of water. The course for the two teams is designed so each route mirrors the other so spectators can clearly see who is in the lead and how close the riders are to each other.

As well as being excellent spectator events, hunt chases are designed to provide similar challenges for horses and riders to those they are likely to experience in the hunting field.

Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.