ALTHOUGH the ‘autumn’ season doesn’t end until tomorrow week, Sunday, December 10th, already handlers are being reminded about registering hunters’ certificates for the first three fixtures of the spring campaign.

Those who plan on running horses at the Uniteds’ Lisgoold meeting on Sunday, December 31st, need to ensure that the relevant hunters’ certificates are lodged at the Office of the Governing Bodies no later than close of business on Monday week, December 11th.

For those who wish to have runners at the Muskerrys’ fixture at Aghabullogue on Sunday, January 7th, the registration date is Monday, December 18th while handlers planning to run horses at either Killeagh or Tinahely on Sunday, January 14th should ensure that certificates are lodged no later than 12 noon on Tuesday, January 2nd.

The final autumn meeting is the Carlow Farmers’ fixture at Borris House where there are five maidens scheduled, plus an open lightweight for novice riders. Last year, the open was won by Liam Quinlan on the Graham McKeever-trained Balnaslow who went on to give his owner, the late Peggy Hagan, such a wonderful year between the flags and on the track.

FAMILY FUN DAY

The fixture is being promoted as a family fun day, their Facebook advertisement has a festive theme and there will be a special guest appearance during the afternoon by Santa Claus, who is also due at the Kilmoganny Harriers’ meeting at Mainstown, Carrick-On-Suir tomorrow.

Neither the Carlow Farmers nor the Kilmogannys held a meeting during the first season of autumn pointing but the United did run at Ballindenisk on Sunday, October 28th 2001 when Caroline Hutchinson landed the lady riders’ open on Mucky Man.

The United are back at the same venue tomorrow when the open is confined to novice riders. Among the 13 entries, four horses hold certificates with the host hunt and three are trained by Eugene O’Sullivan.